Commencement

Commencement / tester

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Senior Week Events

Event Time Location
Awards Convocation Friday, April 19, 3:00-4:00 p.m. MPOARC Arena
The annual presentation of academic awards to students from all class years. Students who will receive academic awards will be notified in advance and their participation in the event requested. Family and friends of these students are welcome to attend and and no advance reservations are required. There is a reception with light refreshments following the awards presentation.
Lavender Graduation Friday, April 26, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Daugherty-Palmer Commons (DPC)
Hosted by LGBTQ Student Services, it is a special ceremony that honors the achievements of graduating gender and sexual minority students and distinguished allies. Recognized students will receive a rainbow tassel and a reception will follow the ceremony. Students and family members can RSVP to lgbtq@smcm.edu.
Beach Day Wednesday, May 8, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Waterfront
Relax with your friends at the waterfront (weather permitting).
Senior Gala Thursday, May 9, 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. Campus Center
Cost: $40 (includes 4 tickets for alcoholic beverages) or $30 (includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages) per person.
Tickets must be purchased by May 1. Bring your fancy attire and enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres on the patio (weather permitting), dinner and dancing in a beautifully decorated Great Room, and making memories with your friends. Tickets can be purchased here.
*Graduation Rehearsal Friday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. Recreation Courts (MPOARC Arena)
The rehearsal takes about an hour and will provide useful information and serve as a practice for the next day. If you absolutely cannot attend the rehearsal, contact the Office of the Registrar, 240-895-4336 to report your absence.
Family Activities Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11 See Details
Dinner
Friday, May 10, 5:00 p.m. Select restaurants will offer a 10% discount for St. Mary’s Graduates. We encourage you to make reservations in advance. Participating restaurants are listed below. The Great Room will provide standard dinner operations from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Senior Convocation
Friday, May 11, 4:00 p.m. held on the Townhouse Green. Free.
Senior Convocation is the final assembly of the graduating class prior to the conferral of degrees at Commencement on Saturday. Members of the senior class plan the program for Convocation including the selection of a faculty member who offers closing thoughts to the class.

TRAFFIC & PARKING:
In order to expedite traffic for Convocation, traffic along College Drive will be one way from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (going from Mattapany toward Route 5) on Friday, May 10, and parking along that road will be prohibited from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Family and guests will park in Lots R, S, T, V, and Z. Once these lots are full, drivers will be directed to other designated parking areas. Elderly and/or disabled guests should park in the designated area of Lot R and golf carts will be available to transport them to the seating area.

Breakfast – Great Room Meal RSVP
Saturday, May 11, Campus Center Great Room 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Cost: $10/person.
A full breakfast will be offered for graduates and their families. Payment can be made at the Great Room.
Great Room Meal RSVP: The form below is to help the Great Room estimate the number of guest attending the meals listed below. Payment for the meals will be made at the Great Room.
*Photographs Saturday, May 11, 9:15 a.m. Recreation Courts (MPOARC Arena)
A group photo of the graduates will be taken at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 at the recreation courts. Graduates must be in cap and gown to be in the pictures. Late arrivals will not be included. An 8×10” copy of this photo will be mailed by the photography vendor to each graduate as a gift from the College.Individual photos of each person receiving a diploma will be taken by a professional photographer. One proof of that photo will be sent to each graduate at no charge. Additional prints will be available for purchase from the photographer.

QUESTIONS REGARDING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY AT 410-203-1003 OR CUSTOMERSERVICE@CLASSIC-PHOTO.COM.
*Commencement Saturday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. Townhouse Green
TICKETS & SEATING:
No tickets are necessary for the Commencement ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-served. Although the area will be tented, some seating is in an open area in full sun. Guest should be prepared with hats, sunscreen, and other protective measures. Please bring rain gear if the weather is threatening. The event is held outside, rain or shine. No seats may be held for guests without someone being physically present to hold them.TRAFFIC & PARKING:
College Drive will be closed until Commencement is over, then traffic will be one way until 4:00 p.m. (going from Mattapany toward Route 5). Families and guests may park in any available lot.

SPECIAL NEEDS:
Reserved seating for guests with disabilities is available. Seating must be reserved in advance and due to high demand seating is only available for the disabled individual and one additional person. Sign language interpreters will be provided for the deaf/and hard-of-hearing. Contact the Events & Conferences Office at 240-895-4310 for reserved seating and questions about access to this event.

ALCOHOL-FREE:
Commencement is a time to celebrate your accomplishments here at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and it should be a celebration treated with the respect it deserves. Commencement is an alcohol-free ceremony. Staff will monitor the attendees for alcohol possession.