USF Commencement

SENIOR CELEBRATION
Invitation to Follow

MULTICULTURAL STUDENT GRADUATION RECEPTION
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 6 p.m. | Sexton Auditorium, Tower Hall

COMMENCEMENT MASS
Sunday, April 30, 2023 4 p.m. | St. Joseph Chapel, Motherhouse, 3rd Floor
All are invited, but please reserve your seat via the Commencement RSVP form.
Besides a blessing, a special medallion is given by President Johnson.
Mass Information (PDF)

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.

LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING PINNING CEREMONY – FOR NURSING GRADUATES
Friday, May 5, 2023 4:30 p.m. | Sullivan Recreation Center

RADIATION THERAPY PINNING CEREMONY
Friday, May 5, 2023 6 p.m. | San Damiano Hall, Motherhouse (3rd floor)

For COVID-19 requirements, please visit the Saints United page.

Graduates may pick up their caps/gowns and tickets during the following days in the USF Bookstore (Tower Hall, first floor). Number of guest tickets will be determined following the RSVP window. Watch for communication from the commencement email (GraduationInvite@stfrancis.edu).

• April 24th – 27th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• April 28th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• May 5th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• May 6th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Special arrangements for after hours pick-up may be made by calling the bookstore at 815-740-3394. 

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.

The Grand Marshal will lead each procession, followed in order by the graduates, faculty, board of trustees and the platform party.

Official Photography: 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. For more information, contact Central Valley Studios Inc. at 847-683-7130 or cvstudios.com.

Photo Opportunities for Grads: Students and their families are welcome to take pictures anywhere on campus. Suggested locations include outside Tower Hall’s main entrance near Circle Drive, in front of the USF seal on the second floor of Tower Hall, near the Grotto or anywhere on the Quad, near the Benoit Commons next to the Sullivan Center, on the science hall’s green roof, or on either set of Motherhouse stairs (front of Welcome Center or back near the Quad). The campus is always beautiful at commencement time!

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

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!

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 7:30-3:30 p.m. on commencement day, offering USF apparel and other merchandise.