Commencement

All graduates participating in the commencement ceremony are required to complete the online commencement form, which will be available at www.stvincent.edu/commencement between Monday, Oct. 11, and Friday, Oct. 29. This will provide a single location to gather all information regarding commencement, eliminating the need to communicate with multiple offices. Through this form, graduates will be able to:

• Order ceremony tickets (limit 5 tickets per graduate in the PAC)
• Confirm attendance at commencement
• Order academic attire (a separate link will be provided)
• Order name cards and announcements
• Confirm the phonetic spelling of the name to be read at the ceremony
• Confirm major/s for listing in the program
• Request special needs passes and tickets

All candidates are to attend the commencement ceremony. Graduates will begin to line up in the Gymnasium at 10:30 a.m. Degrees will be awarded by school with master’s degrees first followed by bachelor’s in order by school and major.

Master’s recipients will carry their hoods over their left arm and should wear the tassel of their caps on the left front edge. During the ceremony, master’s recipients will be hooded by their program director. After hooding, students will walk across the stage to receive their diploma.  

Bachelor’s recipients wear the tassel on the right front edge of the cap. When the recipient’s name is called, the tassel is to be moved to the left front edge. Fr. Paul then confers the degree and presents the diploma. 

Each graduate will be photographed with Fr. Paul before leaving the stage. When approaching and leaving the stage, follow the directions given at the rehearsal. When the ceremony is over, the faculty will leave the gymnasium first, followed by the graduates.

In order to comply with fire and safety regulations, admission to the 2021 Saint Vincent College December Commencement ceremony will be by ticket only. A ticketing system has been devised and is listed below:

Phase One:  Oct.11 – Oct. 29, 2021

All degree candidates who have applied for graduation through the Registrar's office may fill out the online request form to reserve their tickets between Oct. 11 and Oct. 29. There is a limit of 5 tickets per graduate in the Performing Arts Center. To avoid confusion, please designate one person to fill out the online form. Please fill out the form completely to ensure that your needs will be accommodated. Graduates do not need tickets for the ceremony. Changes to ticket orders may be made until Friday, Nov. 19; however, the academic attire order must be placed by Friday, Oct. 29.  No changes or additions will be able to be made after this date.

Phase Two: Ticket Distribution

Beginning Dec. 6, tickets will be available for pickup in the Event and Conference Services Office. Since all seating will be reserved, every effort will be made to seat families together.

After Dec. 6, additional tickets will be available in the Event and Conference Services Office, located on the second floor of the Fred M. Rogers Center. Please call in advance to check availability. 

Please direct all questions regarding Commencement ticketing to the Event and Conference Services Office at 724-532-5030. 

All parking lots will be open to the public. Members of the Public Safety staff will be directing traffic to appropriate parking areas. A shuttle service will be in operation throughout the day. Parking for those with special needs is available. Please present your medical placard or your special needs-issued parking pass to the Public Safety staff who will direct you to the special needs area. Families and guests are urged to arrive in time to be seated by 10:45 a.m. The procession will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Ushers will be available to direct you to your seat.

Graduation practice will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, in the Performing Arts Center. Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates should attend the practice. Anyone who did not obtain academic attire may do so after graduation practice. (See Academic Attire).

Diplomas will be issued to all participating degree candidates. Candidates who are unable to attend the ceremony should make arrangements with the Registrar’s Office to obtain their diploma beginning Monday after graduation or request that the diploma be mailed (certified mail) at the graduate’s expense. For additional details contact the Registrar’s Office at 724-805-2889.

In order to receive a degree, a student must have satisfied all academic requirements and fulfilled all financial obligations to the College as noted under “Graduation Requirements” of the College Bulletin. Additionally, all borrowed books must be returned to the library and students must satisfy all outstanding charges with the business office (e.g., parking tickets, library fines, etc.)

All degree candidates must confirm their plans to participate in commencement by Friday, Oct. 29, through the online commencement form. Questions pertaining to eligibility to participate should be directed to the Registrar at 724-805-2889.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 6, academic attire may be picked up in the Event and Conference Services Office between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please keep in mind that academic attire is packaged and will need to be ironed or steamed. Therefore, we suggest obtaining your attire early.

Graduates should pick up their announcements and name cards in the Event and Conference Services Office beginning Monday, Dec. 6. Name cards and announcements will only be printed for those students who order them during Phase One of the ticketing process through the online commencement form. Extra announcements will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for students who request them.

For a comprehensive listing and further details, contact the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, 800-333-5661

Commencement programs will be available upon entering the ceremony. Students, faculty and administrators will have programs at their seats. 

Ken Brooks will be the official photographer for December 2021 Commencement ceremony at Saint Vincent College. This photographer is the only person with clear access to the stage. Each graduate will receive one complimentary 5” x 7” photo. Although a professional photographer has been commissioned, you will not be required to purchase additional photos. An order form will be available online at www.kbphotoonline.com. 

The Saint Vincent Office of Marketing and Communications livestream the ceremony, on the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/saintvincentcollege. A recording of the full ceremony will also be available on YouTube.