Congratulations, graduates!
The Saint Mary’s University community looks forward to celebrating with you and your family members on May 2nd. This momentous day marks a significant milestone in your academic journey, and we are truly honored to share this wonderful experience together.
Ceremony details
- Date: May 2, 2026
- Mass: 8:30 a.m., Saint Thomas More Chapel
- Convocation: 11:00 a.m., David R. Thies B’59 Arena
- Reception: Immediately following, Plaza (Inclement weather: Gostomski Fieldhouse)
Guest information
The Winona area offers a wide variety of accommodations and dining options. More information is available here. You are strongly advised to make hotel reservations as early as possible as they fill up quickly.
Doors to the David R. Thies B’59 Arena will open at 9 a.m. It is recommended to arrive on campus no later than 9:30 a.m. to allow time for parking and securing a seat before the academic procession of graduates begins at 10 a.m.
Upon arrival, you will be able to enter campus from either direction off of Highway 14, and parking staff will guide you where to park. For those in need, free shuttles will be provided to and from the ceremony and parking lots. Please note, following the event, you will only be able to turn right onto Highway 14 due to the amount of traffic exiting the college.
Priority seating for guests with disabilities is available. While space is limited, we can accommodate one or two additional people to be seated with a guest in this section.
To reserve seating in this section, please contact:
Stacey Glithero
507-457-6622
Legacies by Laura will be photographing all graduates during the Commencement ceremony as they walk across the stage. Graduates will receive a digital proof of the photos within two weeks following Commencement. Then graduates or family members may order online at Legacies by Laura.
Any questions, please contact:
612-360-0087
Saint Mary’s partners with The Commencement Group for flowers and small gift accessories for the graduates. They are available for purchase on commencement day.
Flowers can also be pre-ordered for pick up that day here: Flower pre-order
Livestream
Venues for overflow seating include the arena lobby and the Page Theatre, where guests can watch the ceremony via livestream.
If you cannot attend the ceremony on campus, the livestream provides a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone with us from afar.
Frequently asked questions
Completing your credits isn't enough; you must formally apply for graduation via the Google Form sent by the Registrar's Office in September after the add/drop period. This triggers a degree audit by the Registrar to ensure all your major, minor, and Lasallian core requirements are met.
If you have any questions about the application, contact the Registrar's Office by email at registrar-win@smumn.edu
Tickets will not be required for the commencement ceremony. The David R. Thies B’59 Arena will accommodate the vast majority of the anticipated guests.
Undergraduate students are eligible for honors based on their cumulative GPA: Cum Laude: 3.50 – 3.69; Magna Cum Laude: 3.70 – 3.89; Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 – 4.00. Note: Honors recognized at the ceremony are usually based on the GPA from the semester prior to graduation.
Consistent with our Lasallian Catholic heritage, Saint Mary’s holds a Baccalaureate Mass the the morning of Commencement. It is a liturgy of thanksgiving for the graduates and their families, and all are welcome regardless of faith tradition.
Expect the ceremony to last between 90 minutes and 2 hours. This includes the processional, the invocation, guest speakers, the individual reading of names, and the recessional.
Yes. Graduation is the official posting of your degree to your transcript once all grades are verified. Commencement is the celebratory ceremony held in Winona (or virtually for certain programs) where you walk across the stage.
Regalia is ordered for you through the Office of Academic Affairs. You do not need to do anything! Distribution of caps and gowns will take place mid April via campus mail. Graduating seniors will receive an email notification that they have a package to pick up in a parcel locker.
At the start of the ceremony, place your tassel on the right side of your mortarboard. After the President officially confers the degrees, you will be instructed to move it to the left side together as a class.
Saint Mary’s generally allows students who are within a few credits of completion (and registered to finish them in the upcoming summer term) to participate in the May ceremony. You must receive approval from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
You will receive a diploma cover on stage. Your official diploma will be mailed to your "Permanent Address" on file approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the ceremony, once the Registrar has completed the final degree clearance.