USF Commencement

SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Saturday, May 4, 2024
Pat Sullivan Recreation Center (USF Main Campus)

9:30 a.m. | Doctoral/Master’s Degree Ceremony
1 p.m. | Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony

All are invited to the social gathering following each ceremony in the Moes Room, Presidents Room and Terrace Cafe in Tower Hall.

  • See specifics in the accordion topics below.
  • Admission to each ceremony is by ticket only. Families must be seated 15 minutes prior to each ceremony.
  • Persons with disabilities who require assistance should call the Student Life Office at 815-740-3398 at least four weeks prior to commencement.

Important Information

SENIOR CELEBRATION
By invitation.

MULTICULTURAL STUDENT GRADUATION RECEPTION
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. | Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center)

COMMENCEMENT MASS
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 4 p.m. | St. Joseph Chapel (Motherhouse, 3rd Floor)All are invited, but please reserve your seat via the Commencement RSVP form.
Graduates will receive a special gift from president Arvid Johnson and undergraduate honor cords will be blessed at this wonderful celebration!

39th ANNUAL STUDENT HONORS AND AWARDS CONVOCATION
Thursday, May 4, 2023 6 p.m. | Sullivan Recreation Center
Graduates, line-up at 5:40 pm in the Moser Performing Arts Center, Turk Theater.
Call 815-740-3216 or visit Tower Hall, Room S300 for additional information.

40TH ANNUAL STUDENT HONORS & AWARDS CONVOCATION
Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. | Sullivan Recreation Center
Graduates, line up at 5:40 p.m. in the Turk Theater (Moser Performing Arts Center). Call 815-740-3216 or visit Room S300 in Tower Hall for additional information.

LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING PINNING CEREMONY – FOR NURSING GRADUATES & THEIR FAMILIES
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. | Sullivan Recreation Center

RADIATION THERAPY PINNING CEREMONY
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. | San Damiano Hall (Donovan Hall, 3rd Floor)

Graduates may pick up their caps/gowns and tickets during the following days in the USF Bookstore on the first floor of Tower Hall:

  • April 22-25 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • April 26 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • May 3 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • May 4 from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Special arrangements for after-hours pick-up may be made by calling the bookstore at 815-740-3394. Your guest tickets will be placed with your cap and gown for pickup. Number of tickets will be determined following the RSVP deadline. Watch for communication from graduationinvite@stfrancis.edu.

Graduates must report to their designated classroom in Tower Hall no later than 45 minutes before their ceremony. A list of assigned rooms will be posted in the Tower Hall lobby.

  • Room moderators will offer detailed instructions.
  • Please leave personal belongings with family or friends. Rooms will not be accessible to students after commencement.

Each procession will be led by the San Damiano Cross, followed in order by the Grand Marshal, graduates, faculty, administrators, Board of Trustees and platform party.

A professional photographer will take photos of graduates as they receive their diplomas. Photographs will be mailed directly to graduates approximately two weeks after commencement. In addition, a professional photographer will be on campus taking candids at various points during the day. 

Students and their families are welcome to take pictures anywhere on campus. Suggested photo opportunities include the front of the Motherhouse, the “Proud to be a Saint” decal on the wall in the Alumni Center (Motherhouse, second floor), “Circle Drive” in front of Tower Hall, the university seal on the second floor of  Tower Hall, Benoit Commons, the Grotto, or anywhere on the Quad!

Graduates will receive their diplimas by mail four to six weeks after commencement.

Commencement ceremonies will be simulcast in the Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center) for those on campus without tickets to the ceremony. The ceremonies will also be steamed live for those off campus—CLICK HERE to find the livestream, or click the livestream button on this webpage.

Honors designation does not apply for graduate-level students. Final honors will be indicated on the student’s diploma and final transcript. For commencement purposes, graduation honors will be based on qualification at the time of the previous completed semester at USF.

The USF Barnes & Noble Bookstore (Tower Hall, first floor) will be open from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on commencement day, offering USF apparel and other merchandise.

As a new grad, you’re now automatically a member of the USF Alumni Association! If you’re interested in events, networking, career opportunities, mentoring current students, or providing students with internships, the Alumni Office can help. Visit stfrancis.edu/alumni to learn about new and exciting programs and activities designed for you, and be sure to update your alumni profile through the Stay Connected link (the alumni portal). If you have any comments, questions, concerns, ideas, or just want to chat, contact the Alumni Office anytime. Congratulations on your achievement!

The commencement program will be added here in the weeks prior to commencement. We encourage everyone to download the program here prior to the ceremony, or to use the QR code that will be displayed at the ceremony for day-of access. To support the university’s commitment to sustainability, we are limiting the number of print programs to one per family. Thank you! 

Other Resources

FAQ: What is the difference between  “commencement” and “graduation?”
GRADUATION is the academic completion of coursework, earning of the diploma, and the posting of the degree to the transcript. 
COMMENCEMENT is the ceremony that celebrates or marks the completion of college work.