All eligible students are required to submit a completed Application for Graduation and Commencement no later than March 15, 2012, even if they do not plan to participate in the May 12, 2012 commencement ceremonies.

To complete the Graduation and Commencement Application, please login to your Student Academic Record page in WebTools. Open the SGPP Graduation Application for 05/12/2012 link, complete the form noting any changes and SUBMIT.

A university graduation fee of $190.00 will be charged automatically to your account when you submit this form. (There is no reduction in fee if you choose not to participate in commencement.)

Please note: Diploma will not be ordered and transcripts will not be released for any student who has an outstanding balance with the Business Office.

Students intending to graduate in the Twin Cities should visit the Twin Cities Commencement page.

Students enrolled in programs in the Institute for Pastoral Ministries and in the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development must complete all degree requirements by April 1, 2012 to be eligible for the May 12, 2012 commencement ceremony.

For all other programs, students must be able to demonstrate to their respective program director a plan for completion of all degree requirements by August 26, 2012 in order to be eligible to participate in the May 12, 2012 commencement ceremony.

Commencement eligibility will be confirmed the first week of April 2012. Any questions regarding your eligibility for participation should be directed to your program director. All students intending to complete their degree by August 26, 2012, are required to submit a completed Application for Graduation and Commencement no later than March 15, 2012 , even if they do not plan to participate in commencement.

NOTE PLEASE: Participation in commencement is not a certification of completion of your degree. Your degree completion date may be different than your commencement date.

Parking is available on campus for all visitors.

The ceremony lasts approximately 90 minutes. Students will be hooded as they proceed toward the stage; students will then proceed across the stage as their names are called and receive a diploma envelope. The gymnasium may not accommodate all guests; therefore, tickets will be required for gymnasium seating. Students who indicate that they will participate in the ceremony will receive four tickets for gymnasium seating.

Alternative seating venues will be available in the Performance Center and Toner Student Center which are adjacent to the gymnasium. Video links will project the ceremony to these locations on large screens. Tickets are not required for alternative seating venues.

Required check-in begins at 2:15 p.m. at the Campus Safety Office in the Toner Student Center. All students are required to check-in prior to attending any individual program gathering. Students will line up at 3:15 p.m. by program in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. Please wear comfortable shoes and plan to leave personal belongings with friends or family.

All graduates and guests are invited to a light reception following the ceremony. The reception will be held outside on the Plaza. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held in the Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Academic costume is traditional. Students wear the traditional gown, which is black with a sleeve opening near the wrist. Caps are worn with black tassels only.

Saint Mary's will use the information provided on the Graduation and Commencement Application Form to order cap, gown, tassel and hood. Your regalia will be mailed directly to you from Jostens Inc. in April. The exception to this is our M.Ed. students who will receive their academic regalia from site facilitators on March 12 and 13, 2012.

Diploma envelopes will be presented at the ceremony. Actual diplomas will be mailed approximately 3 to 6 weeks following the ceremony or when the student has successfully completed all degree requirements and all outstanding balances are paid in full.

Handicapped parking is available on campus. Anyone needing special accommodations for seating in the gymnasium should call Ms. Darlene Paulson at (507) 457-1586 to make arrangements prior to the ceremony.

In order to honor all handicapped section seating requests, only two additional guests may sit with the individual requesting handicapped seating. A sign language interpreter will be available at the ceremony.

Herff Jones will take a full-color photograph of students as they receive their diploma envelopes. Degree candidates will each receive information regarding the options to purchase portraits. Orders will be accepted through June 30, 2012. You may also view and order your portraits at the Herff Jones web site. Questions regarding commencement photographs should be directed to Herff Jones at (800) 533-8030, extension 4045.

All student accounts must be paid in full prior to graduation. Diplomas and transcripts will be withheld pending completion of all financial obligations.

We recommend obtaining hotel reservations at the earliest possible date.

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Additional hotel and restaurant information for La Crosse and Rochester:

La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Rochester Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

For questions, please contact:

Mary Williams Bambenek
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, Winona Campus Director
700 Terrace Heights, #77
Winona, MN 55987-1399

Phone: (800) 635-5987 ex. 8738
Fax: (507) 457-8748

mbambene@smumn.edu