Students intending to graduate from the Twin Cities must complete an Application for Graduation and Commencement form:

June 2012 (PDF)
October 2012 (PDF)

Students intending to graduate in Winona should see the Winona Commencement page.

Parking is available on the streets surrounding the campus or in any Saint Mary's University parking lot. All lots are located on Oakland Ave. A drive up on the north side of the Saint Mary’s Event Center can be used for guests needing assistance.

More parking information and maps

The ceremony is approximately an hour and a half. Degree candidates will be hooded as they proceed toward the stage. With the exception of the doctoral students, hoods will not be included in the mailed cap/gown packages that you will receive two weeks before the ceremony. Hoods will be received at the ceremony (with the exception of the undergraduate certificate candidates). Candidates will proceed across the stage as their names are called and receive a diploma envelope. The auditorium should accommodate all guests, but we do ask that graduates limit their guests to 6 or under.

If you are inviting guests from another country and need a letter to the Embassy for them to attend, please fill out the Graduation Embassy Letter form and send it to the following address:

Saint Mary's University
Attn: Mary Thole
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

All are invited to a reception serving bars and beverages held on the 2nd floor of the Shrine Center immediately following the ceremony. Elevators and stairs are located on both sides of the auditorium.

Academic costume is traditional. By completing the Application for Graduation and Commencement form, certificate, bachelors or masters regalia will be mailed to you before two weeks ahead of the ceremony. Candidates for the undergraduate degrees wear the black bachelor's gown that has a block sleeve with no trimming. Candidates for master's degrees wear the master's gown, which is black with a sleeve opening near the wrist called a "bat wing" sleeve. The hood's velvet side depicts the degree color and satin side depicts the school colors. Caps are worn with black tassels and a gold year plate.

The gown size is based on the measurements you provide on your Application for Graduation and Commencement form. Bring the cap and gown for the ceremony (doctoral students will also bring their hoods to give to staff at check-in). You will receive your academic hood from your program director or representative during the ceremony. For questions related to the undergraduate and graduate regalia contact Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118.

Doctorate candidates wear the navy Saint Mary's University official academic regalia with the bell shaped sleeve, and black velvet panels and chevron. Questions regarding doctoral academic regalia (which takes 8 weeks from order to delivery) should be referred to Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118.

Diploma envelopes will be presented at the ceremony. Diplomas are not guaranteed at commencement. If your graduation application form has been processed through the university and ordered (Jostens requires up to 5 weeks to process diploma orders), and financial obligations cleared, you will receive your diploma at commencement. You may still march in the ceremony if financial obligations are not met. If you do not receive your diploma, it will be mailed to you as soon as it is received on campus if financial obligations have been met. Questions related to processing your Application for Graduation and Commencement should be directed to your program.

For questions on your financial status call Student Services at (612) 728-5100.

Handicapped parking is available on campus. There is also a drive-up area at the door on the north side of the Shrine Center. Elevators are available. Anyone needing special accommodations for the first floor seating in the Shrine Center auditorium should call Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118 to make arrangements. The first two rows of guest seating are reserved for this purpose. Limited family members are welcome to sit with the individual requesting special needs seating. A sign language interpreter can also be prearranged.

The university does not provide graduation announcements or invitations; however, these items can be purchased online or at the Saint Mary's University bookstore on campus in LaSalle Hall, 2nd floor at 2500 Park Ave. If you have questions regarding bookstore announcements or invitations call (612) 728-5170.

The Saint Mary's University Bookstore, located in LaSalle Hall, 2nd floor at 2500 Park Ave., will be open during the event. They will have Graduation gifts, diploma frames, beverages, coffee, snacks, SMU logo items, and more on hand to purchase. Contact the bookstore at (612) 728-5170 for questions.

Herff Jones will take a full-color photograph of graduates as they receive their diploma envelopes. Proofs will be mailed to you after three weeks following the ceremony. Attached to the proof will be an order form and all necessary information to order pictures. Video taping is not provided. For questions about photographs, please contact Herff-Jones at 1 (800) 683-8157. Please do not contact Saint Mary's, as we do not handle photographs.

Student accounts must be paid in full in order to receive diplomas and transcripts. Graduates are still eligible to march in the ceremony if completed in your program, even though your account has not been paid. You can view your account with WebTools. If you have questions concerning your bill, contact Student Services at (612) 728-5100.

Hotels

Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel
618 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis MN

Embassy Suites Downtown
425 South 7th Street, Minneapolis MN

Radisson Metrodome
615 SE Washington Avenue, Minneapolis MN

Dining

Minneapolis Downtown Area:

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 La Salle Plaza (612) 332-2739
Monte Carlo Bar & Grill, 219 3rd Ave. N. (612) 333-5900
Palomino Restaurant Rotisseria Bar, 825 Hennepin Ave. (612) 339-3800
Old Spaghetti Factory, 233 Park Ave. (612) 341-0949
Capital Grille, 801 Hennepin Ave. (612) 692-9000
Buca Di Beppo, 1204 Harmon Place (612) 288-0138

Minneapolis Uptown Area:

Il Gatto, 3001 Hennepin Ave. (612) 822-1688
Famous Dave's BBQ and Grill Club, 3001 Hennepin Ave. (612) 822-9900
Chino Latino, 2916 Hennepin Ave. (612) 824-7878
Dixies Calhoun, 2730 W. Lake St. (612) 920-5000
Green Mill, 2626 Hennepin Ave. (612) 374-2131
The Herkimer Pub and Brewery, 2922 Lyndale Ave. S. (612) 821-0101
Fuji-Ya Sushi, 600 W. Lake St. (612) 871-4055

Minneapolis Phillips Neighborhood:

Maria's Café, 1113 Franklin Ave. E. (612) 870-9842
Christo's Greek Restaurant, 2632 Nicollet Ave. (612) 871-2111

St. Paul Area Dining:

St. Paul Grill (Downtown area), 350 Market St. (651) 224-7455
Great Waters Brewing Company, 426 Saint Peter Street, (651) 224-2739‎
Pazzaluna, 360 St. Peter St. (651) 223-7000
W. A. Frost & Co., 374 Selby Ave. (651) 224-5715
Dixies On Grand, 695 Grand Ave. (651) 222-7345
Wild Onion, 788 Grand Ave. (651) 291-2525