St. Scholastica Commencement Information

The in-person celebration will be a traditional, seated ceremony on Saturday, May 11, with available guest seating. Each graduating student will be given guest tickets. All graduating students will be notified of how many guests they may bring in February 2024. The Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed.

The schedule of events is:

The time of each event will be finalized by February of 2024.

• TBD — Master, Certificate and Doctorate ceremony, Burns Wellness Commons (BWC) field house
• TBD — Master, Certificate and Doctorate reception (complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be provided)
• TBD — Commencement Mass, Mitchell Auditorium
• TBD — Undergraduate ceremony, BWC field house
• TBD — Undergraduate reception (complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be provided)

Check-in

Graduating students will check in one hour prior to the ceremony. Check-in is located in the BWC field house upper track. Guests may enter the ceremony venue and be seated while graduates are checking in.

RSVP’s Required

All graduating students are required to complete their MarchingOrder (MO) RSVP profile regardless of whether they plan to attend the in-person ceremony or not. If they do plan to attend the in-person ceremony and did not complete the MO RSVP, they are still allowed to participate in the ceremony. However, it is best practice to complete the MO RSVP to be sure their name is spelled correctly for the program and for their name card. All emails go to their CSS email address only.

St. Scholastica has partnered with GRADIMAGES to take photos of you during the ceremony and when you cross the stage. Pre-register for your ceremony photos and get 20% off. Visit GRADIMAGES to pre-register today!

Pre-Register

In order to be awarded a degree or certificate, students must complete an application to graduate. Visit my.css.edu and search on “graduation application” for more information.

Graduates, please join us for our Commencement Mass on Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m., at the Mitchell Auditorium. We welcome all graduating students of any religious or spiritual tradition to join us for this Mass of thanksgiving and celebration of your achievements. Graduates who attend will receive an oil lamp as a gift to symbolize the light you are carrying with you into the world.

RSVP to Attend Mass

All graduating students are asked to RSVP by the deadline listed at the top of the Commencement web page. Questions? Contact Campus Ministry.

Degrees will be awarded after all final grades are processed and all degree requirements are met. Track your progress to degree completion by logging in to your Degree Works worksheet. Contact your assigned academic advisor with any questions on your degree progress. Undergraduate students pursuing a minor should discuss their progress with their advisor and direct all questions to the academic department chair of that minor. Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the application to graduate. All graduates must report address changes to the Academic Records and Registrar’s office at registrar@css.edu.

Each cap and gown set includes 4 pieces – cap, gown, tassel and stole. Those who ordered their cap and gown set before March 4 and chose to have it sent to the Saints Shop, can pick up their set starting April 4. If you purchased your set after March 4 it will be mailed to the mailing address you provided. Be sure you receive all 4 pieces when you pick up your set or when your set is delivered to your mailing address.

The cap and gown prices are as follows

• Undergrad set: $49.95
• Master set: $51.95
• Doctorate set: $84.95

Shipping is $13.95.

If you missed the April 13 deadline, limited stock and sizes will be available for purchase through the Saints Shop. You may purchase your set online or in person.

Order your Regalia

Please contact saintsshop@css.edu with any questions.

Has there been someone who has gone beyond the call of duty to support you in the pursuit of your degree? Why not send them a Degree of Gratitude as a way of saying, “thanks”. Order up to three, free printed certificates.

Order Certificates

Beautiful bouquets will be for sale online or purchase them the day of the event. If you choose to order them online, you pick them up the day of the event. Pick up your pre-order at the entrance of the Commencement Ceremony.

Order Flowers

Flights

Search for flights directly into the Duluth airport. Some local hotels have free shuttles to and from the airport.

Search for flights directly into MSP airport. You may choose to rent a car or take the Groome shuttle transportation.

Hotels

Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth Downtown

200 West First St.
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-1202
Website
Near Bentleyville and Canal Park. This hotel is 2.6 miles away from the College’s main campus. Free shuttle within 5 mile radius of the hotel.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Duluth Waterfront

1000 Minnesota Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-6001
Website
Near Bentleyville and Canal Park. This hotel is 3.8 miles away from the College’s main campus.

Canal Park

Website
Canal Park has a walking trail along Lake Superior with lots of restaurants, shops and hotels that are within walking distance.

If you would like to send your guests an announcement or an invitation, you may purchase your own online through the Saints Shop to do so. If your guest needs a letter for a visa to travel into the country, click here to fill out the form: Invitation Letter Request Form. If you have additional questions, contact Office of International Programs, oip@css.edu; 218-723-5917.

The Alumni Engagement team will be at the ceremony to welcome our newest Saints! Please stop by our table to receive your alumni pin and a reusable bag.

Accessible Seating

Q: Is there accessible seating in the field house?

A: Yes, see a volunteer for assistance.

Cap and Gown

Q: What if a graduate did not order their cap or gown or lost it?

A: Cap and gown sets are sold at the Saints Shop located on the first floor of Tower Hall.

Ceremony Program

Q: Is a graduate able to attend the ceremony if their name is not in the program?

A: Yes, check-in at the color-coded table, according to degree, in the field house upper level track.

Q: What if there is a mistake in the program?

A: If there is an error in the program, contact the Academic Records and Registrar’s office at registrar@css.edu.

Q: I thought I was receiving a BS not a BA.

A: Contact the Academic Records and Registrar’s Office at registrar@css.edu.

Ceremony Recording

Q: Are there recordings for sale?

A: Recordings are not for sale. The ceremony is uploaded to the College’s YouTube channel.

Common Ceremony Questions

Q: Is the ceremony live streamed?

A: Yes, the ceremony will be live and available to watch on the College’s YouTube channel.

Cords

Q: Where are the undergraduate Latin honors cords?

A: If an undergraduate is earning honors, they receive an email directly from the Registrar. Undergraduates who participate in the commencement ceremony will receive a complimentary Latin honor cord at check in.

Q: What do undergraduate students wear if they are earning highest honors?

A: They wear the undergraduate cap, gown, tassel and stole.

Q: Do Webster Scholar graduates order anything special?

A: No, each Webster Scholar will receive an honors diploma cover and a medallion at the ceremony.

Q: Where do I find veteran’s cords?

A: Veteran’s cords are mailed to the address CSS has on file for the graduate. Additional cords are available at the check-in table the day of the ceremony.

Degree of Gratitude

Q: What is “Degree of Gratitude”?

A: Degree of Gratitude certificates are a way to say, “Thank You” to someone who gave the student support while pursuing their degree.

Q: How many certificates can each graduate request?

A: Three certificates per graduate may be ordered by filling out the google form found on the commencement website. All three are mailed to the graduate’s mailing address on file.

Q: Who do I contact about a mistake on my certificates?

A: Contact the commencement committee at commencement@css.edu.

Graduate Newsletters

Q: What if a student is graduating, but is not receiving any newsletters?

A: If a student is graduating and is not receiving any newsletter, here is a checklist to go through:

• Has the student applied to graduate? If the answer is no, apply immediately.
• If the student has applied, contact the Academic Records and Registrar’s office at registrar@css.edu.
• Refer to the commencement website for important updates.

Graduation Mass

Q: Is there a mass? Where is it? What time is it? Who do I contact with questions?

A: Yes, mass is located on campus in the Mitchell Auditorium at 1 p.m. Contact Campus Ministry with any questions at cministry@css.edu.

Graduation Reception

Q: Is there a reception after the ceremony?

A: There will be a reception held immediately after the ceremony in the Reif Gymnasium. Meet and greet faculty, adjuncts, Board of Trustees at the reception.

Hoods

Q: Where is my Hood?

A: Master graduates are hooded upon check-in the day of the ceremony. Doctoral graduates receive their hood upon check-in, process with it and are hooded on stage.

International Guests

Q: Where do I request an international travel letter for a guest?

A: Go to the commencement website. Under the title International Guests is a link to follow.

Q: Any questions?

A: Contact the International Programs Department at oip@css.edu.

Marching Order RSVP

Q: What is MarchingOrder?

A: MarchingOrder is software the College uses to make the ceremonies a better experience for the graduates and their guests.

Q: I already applied to graduate, why do I have to do this again?

A: Applying to graduate and RSVP’ing to attend the ceremony are two separate assignments.

Q: Are graduates required to fill out their MarchingOrder profile?

A: Yes. If the graduate plans to attend the ceremony, they must RSVP by filling out their MarchingOrder profile.

Photographs

Q: Is anyone taking photos?

A: Yes, GradImages photography is taking photographs of each graduate. Graduates will receive an email regarding purchasing those photos within 2-3 days.

Q: May I take my own photos?

A: Yes, you may take photos from the floor. Please be courteous to other guests and graduates.