Commencement 2026: Information for Graduates

Checklist for Graduates

Before you graduate, here's what both graduate students and undergraduate seniors need to know and do to prepare for Commencement.

Clear Holds

If you have a hold on your student account, you will not be able to order your full transcripts or receive your diploma.

  • Confirm there is no hold on your student account. If there is a hold, contact Student Accounts at sfs@saintmarys.edu to help you understand which office placed the hold on your account.
  • You are responsible for resolving the hold. Because there are different types of holds, once you learn which office placed the hold on your account, contact them directly for more information.

Complete Exit Interview

  • Students who are graduating May 2025, August 2026, or December 2026 and who have borrowed Federal Direct Student Loans while enrolled at Saint Mary's, are required by the federal government to complete online exit loan counseling before receiving the diploma from Saint Mary's College. Students who need to complete exit loan counseling will see this requirement under the Loan Counseling section of the Student Financial Information Resources page on the portal at https://my.saintmarys.edu/pages/loan-counseling. This online exit counseling can be completed at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/ by logging in with the FSA ID.  The online exit loan counseling must be completed no later than Friday, April 25, 2026.
  • On campus group counseling sessions are also required for undergraduates. At these sessions you will receive a print out of your loan history and will learn valuable information about your loan repayment options. The dates and times of these mandatory sessions will be available later in the spring semester and will be posted at https://my.saintmarys.edu/pages/loan-counseling.

Name Pronunciation


Register your official name with Tracy White in the Academic Advising Office. Leave a recording of you saying your full name three times if you are concerned any part of your name might be mispronounced. Please call 574-284-5341 no later than May 8.

Attend the 2026 Grad Fair on March 25 in Rice Commons (11:30 am-5:30 pm)!

You will be able to:

  • Learn more about Senior Week
  • Buy a class ring or have your ring cleaned by Balfour
  • Learn about the Alumnae Association
  • Explore graduate programs at Saint Mary’s
  • Visit with IT and review computing after ResNet
  • Contribute to the Class Gift Campaign
  • Register your official name with Academic Affairs
  • Connect with Career Crossings
  • Visit with the Admissions’ S.M.A.R.T. team
  • Talk with Dress for Success
  • Register to win drawings, including but not limited to 1 VIP Designated Parking Spot, 2 Reserved Front Row Seats, Regalia (cap, gown, hood & tassel), and many more. MUST ATTEND AND VISIT EACH BOOTH TO QUALIFY.

SMC Class Rings, Commencement announcements and More

Purchase a class ring, announcements, and more graduation items at the Balfour website.

Computing After ResNet

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Saint Mary’s College! ResNet would like to provide you with some helpful information as you transition from life as a Saint Mary’s student to that of a college graduate.

Our “Computing After ResNet” guide addresses popular questions regarding e-mail accounts, Google Workspace, network drives, Microsoft Campus Agreement software, virus protection software, and how to get technical support after you have left campus.

http://www.saintmarys.edu/resnet/computingafterresnet.html

Here are a few of the important highlights:

  • Information Technology has been allowing alumnae to retain their saintmarys.edu student e-mail accounts following graduation. This is an offering Saint Mary’s is currently able to provide to our graduates, but it could change at any time if Google alters its licensing agreement. We will notify affected alumnae if changes become necessary. 
  • Saint Mary’s students graduating in May 2026 will automatically have their accounts transitioned from full Google Workspace accounts to limited “Gmail Only User” accounts on December 1, 2026.
  • The ability to access Google Photos will expire immediately after graduation. Please download any files in Google Photos that you wish to retain or use Google Takeout in advance of your graduation date. Files saved on Google Photos will be deleted after your graduation date and cannot be recovered. Extensions for access to Google Photos will not be granted.
  • The ability to create or save files to Google Drive will expire immediately after graduation. You will still be able to view, delete, and export files until 11:59pm on November 30, 2026. Files saved on Google Drive will be deleted on December 1, 2026 and cannot be recovered. Extensions for access to Google Drive will not be granted.
  • We recommend that you use Google Takeout to export a copy of your files from Google Drive and Google Photos prior to graduation. You should have possession of all the files you wish to retain before 11:59pm on the November 30 following your graduation date. Google Takeout can take up to a week to process your data for export, so please plan accordingly.
  • Your Microsoft 365 for Students license (which includes Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) will automatically expire immediately after graduation. At expiration, the software will enter a reduced-functionality mode (files can be viewed but it will not be possible to edit or create new files) and the OneDrive associated with your Saint Mary’s account will no longer be accessible.
  • If you installed the Saint Mary’s College-provided Bitdefender security software on your personal computer, you may continue to use it after graduation.

Career Crossings Office

Reach out as you are navigating your post-Saint Mary’s plans! Career Crossings can assist you with job searching, applying to graduate schools, discerning post-grad service and “gap year” programs, resumes and cover letters, interviewing, and networking with alums. You can also find additional resources on Handshake and the Career Crossings portal site. We are here for you as you make the journey to graduation and beyond…Career Crossings provides LIFETIME services for all grads!

Schedule an appointment with us on Handshake (click Career Center and Appointments to get started).

Alumnae Relations

Stay engaged with Saint Mary's on The Bridge, your exclusive online platform for connecting with Alumnae and students! Through the Bridge, you will keep up with classmates and alumnae events (like Reunion!) and you’ll have access to our 23,000+ member online alumnae directory! Join regional clubs and affinity groups directly on the platform to stay informed. If you don’t see something for your area, please email us at alumnae@saintmarys.edu.

Hooding Ceremonies 

The academic hood is the symbol of admission to the community of scholars. In each of its forms (bachelor, master, doctor) it symbolizes a level of academic achievement and is appropriately worn only by those who have reached that level. It is part of the official regalia (including cap and gown) that all Saint Mary’s students wear at Commencement events.

At Saint Mary's, hoods are formally presented by the department or program in which a student has completed the major program of study during a departmental Hooding Ceremony. At these ceremonies, special departmental awards and other student recognitions are also bestowed. 

 A schedule for all hooding ceremonies will be posted once it is finalized.

Graduation Stoles and Honor Cords

Approved stoles given by Saint Mary’s organizations are permitted at Commencement Mass, in addition to Saint Mary’s medals and honor cords. For the ceremony, medals, honor cords, and one approved graduation stole may be worn. If you have more than one, you will need to choose which one to wear. Graduates should not decorate their caps.

Indoor Ceremony Ticket Instructions

In the event of inclement weather on Commencement Day, the ceremony will move indoors to Angela Athletic & Wellness Complex. Due to limited seating, tickets will be required for guests.

Each graduate is allotted five (5) rain tickets and must pick them up prior to Commencement weekend.

Important reminders:

  • Students must present their Saint Mary’s Student ID to pick up tickets (photo of the ID will not be accepted).
  • Students may only pick up their own tickets. Even if you have your friend’s ID, you can only pick up YOUR tickets.
  • Graduate students should pick up tickets from their program director.

Ticket Pickup Location:

Office of Campus Experience & Events
1st Floor, Haggar Hall

Pickup Times:

April 22-24 | April 28-May 1 | May 5-8 | May 12-14
9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 2-5 p.m.

If the ceremony moves indoors, the decision will be announced by 9:00 a.m. via email, social media, and the College website. The ceremony will be livestreamed, and a simulcast will be available at O’Laughlin Auditorium and the Moreau Center for the Arts beginning at 12 p.m.

Please distribute tickets to your guests in advance. Lost tickets cannot be replaced. Unused tickets should be returned to the Office of Campus Experience & Events. No additional tickets will be available. Graduates do not need tickets.

Tickets are only required if the ceremony is held indoors.