Commencement

Online Commencement Form

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 Friday, September 20th and Tuesday, October 19th. 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 ( Limited per graduate )
• Confirm attendance at commencement
• Order academic attire (https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_svc/)
• Confirm the phonetic spelling of the name to be read at the ceremony
• Request special needs passes and tickets

Registration for December 2024 Commencement is now open at this link: https://www.eventsquid.com/event/25742

Students must use their SVC email account to register.  

Questions related to Commencement should be directed to the Event and Conference Services Office at commencement@stvincent.edu or 724-532-5030. 

Participation

All degree candidates must confirm their plans to participate in commencement by October 19th, through the online commencement form. Questions pertaining to eligibility to participate should be directed to the Registrar at 724-805-2889.

Academic Attire

On Tuesday, December 3rd from 4-7 p.m., academic attire may be picked up in the Carey Lounge. Any items not picked up on this date may be obtained at the Bookstore during regular hours, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please keep in mind that academic attire is packaged and will need to be ironed or steamed. Therefore, we suggest obtaining your attire early.

Tickets

In order to comply with fire and safety regulations, admission to the 2024 Saint Vincent College December Commencement ceremony will be by ticket only. A ticketing system has been devised and is listed below:

Tickets will be distributed with academic attire on Tuesday, December 3rd from 4-7 p.m. in the Carey Lounge.

Phase One: 

Regular degree candidates who have applied for graduation through the Registrar's office may fill out the online request form to reserve their tickets between September 20th and October 19th. There is a limit of 4 tickets per graduate for 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. Additional family and friends seating for livestream viewing will be in the Carey Student Lounge (no tickets required). Graduates do not need tickets for the ceremony. Orders must be placed by Saturday, October 19. No changes or additions will be able to be made after this date.

Phase Two: Attire and Tickets

Attire and tickets will be available for pickup in the Carey Lounge on Tuesday, December 3rd from 4-7 p.m. All seats are general admission.

Any items not picked up may be obtained during Bookstore hours, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If additional tickets are available, an email will be sent out. 

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

Questions regarding attire should be directed to Father Anthony in the Bookstore at anthony.grossi@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2557.

Graduation Practice - December 13

Graduation practice will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 13, with lineup starting in the gymnasium. Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates should attend the practice. Anyone who did not pick up academic attire may do so after graduation practice. (See Academic Attire).

Honor Tassels and Dean's List Certificates 

Honor tassels will be distributed immediately after graduation practice on Friday, December 13.  Dean's list certificates will be mailed with diplomas.

Livestream and Video

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.

Family and friends overflow seating with livestream will be provided in the Carey Lounge (no tickets needed).

Degree Candidates 

All candidates are to attend the commencement ceremony. Graduates will begin to line up in the gymnasium. Degrees will be awarded by school with master’s degrees first followed by bachelor’s. Please be prompt.

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. Father Paul then confers the degree and presents the diploma. 

Each graduate will be photographed receiving their diploma. When approaching and leaving the stage, follow the directions given at the rehearsal. When the ceremony is over, the faculty will leave the auditorium, followed by the graduates.

Graduation Degree Requirements

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.).

Official Photography

The Grad Team will be the official photographer for December 2024 Commencement ceremony at Saint Vincent College. This photographer is the only person with clear access to the stage. Each graduate will be photographed individually when approaching the stage. Additionally, a photo will be taken when the graduate crosses the stage and receives their degree. Although a professional photographer has been commissioned, you will not be required to purchase additional photos. Photos can be ordered directly through the photographer at https://thegradteam.com/events/stvincent/. Graduates are encouraged to visit the site and register ahead of time to receive their proofs promptly after commencement.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be available once all grades for the semester are received from faculty. Students will be notified via their Saint Vincent e-mail address when diploma pickup will begin. At that time, they will have the option to pick their diploma up in-person or request that it be mailed at no further cost to them. If they request mailing, students will be asked to confirm their mailing address. The Registrar’s Office anticipates diplomas being available no more than two weeks after Commencement. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@stvincent.edu

Will there be programs?

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

Where can I park?

All parking lots will be open to the public. Members of the Public Safety staff will be directing traffic to appropriate parking areas. 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 no later than 10:45 a.m. doors open at 10:30 a.m. The procession will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Ushers will be available to direct you to your seat.

Where can I stay?

Hampton Inn - Route 30 East, Latrobe, PA 15650, 724-539-0400

SpringHill Suites - 115 Arnold Palmer Drive, Latrobe, PA, 15650, 724-537-7800

The Inn at Mountain View - 300 Scenery Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-691-0570

Hampton Inn Greensburg - 1000 Towne Square Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601, 800-426-7866

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