Cap & Gown Pickup
If you have yet to pick up your cap and gown, you may do so in the JFK mailroom during regular mailroom hours from April 26-May 3, and on Saturday, May 4, from 8-11:30 a.m. The mailroom is closed from 12-12:30 p.m. for lunch. On the day of commencement, caps and gowns can be picked up outside the Auxiliary Gym from 8:30-10 a.m. and from 12:30 -2 p.m.
Saint Francis is proud of the tradition it has established in our annual Commencement Exercises. It is at this moment that we bid a fond farewell to all our graduates from our Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degree programs.
We have built a reputation for academic excellence coupled with sound moral and character development in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition. It is at these Commencement Exercises that we proudly watch our newest alumni leave campus to go forth to teach, lead, care for, and serve all those in need within our global community. We hope that you find this page helpful in your preparations for these Commencement Exercises.Congratulations to the class of 2013! We congratulate all graduates on their achievements. On behalf of the Commencement Committee, we would like to extend a warm welcome to you, your families and friends as you make your plans to visit Saint Francis for Commencement Weekend. This is an exciting time for all of you and we want to make sure you have all the information you need.
Special thanks to CERMUSA for live video streaming of our commencement ceremonies.
Commencement Week Schedule of Events
May 1, 2013
Alumni Picnic - 5 pm - JFK Lounge
May 2, 2013
The Senior Formal will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2013, aboard the Gateway Clipper Party Liner at the Station Square Dock, Pittsburgh, PA. The evening features a four-hour cruise, buffet-style dining , two-hour host bar, entertainment and dancing. Ship boarding is 7:30 p.m. (Don’t be late!) Cost: $65.00 per person. Purchase your tickets at the Graduation Fair on Wednesday, January 30th and receive a $5.00 discount. After the Graduation Fair, students should RSVP by purchasing your ticket no later than April 15, 2013, in the Center for Student Engagement. The cruise will sell out, so don’t wait until the deadline to buy your ticket.
May 3, 2013
May 3, 2013
| 8:30 am - 4 pm |
Bookstore open |
JFK Lower Level |
| 9:30 am - 3 pm |
Business Office Open -- Cashier's Window Open |
Scotus Hall |
| 10 am - 2 pm |
Frankie's Open |
JFK Lower Level |
| 10 am - noon |
Brunch |
Torvian Dining Hall |
| 4 pm - 5 pm |
Dinner |
Torvian Dining Hall |
| 5:30 pm |
Physical Therapy Recognition Ceremony and Dinner |
JFK Auditorium & Lounge |
May 4, 2013
May 4, 2013
| 8 am - 11:30 am |
Pick up cap & gown |
Mail Services, JFK Center |
| 10 am |
Occupational Therapy Pinning Ceremony & Reception |
JFK Auditorium & Lounge |
| 11 am - 3 pm |
Bookstore open |
JFK Lower Level |
| 10 am - 2 pm |
Frankie's open |
JFK Lower Level |
| 10 am - noon |
Brunch |
Torvian Dining Hall |
| 1 pm - 2 pm |
Nurses Pinning Ceremony |
DiSepio Institute |
| 2 pm |
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony (Reception to follow in Frankie's) |
JFK Auditorium |
| 4 pm |
Bell Ringing Ceremony - Graduates should meet at the Bell Tower at 3:50 p.m. Following the bell ringing, graduates will process to the Stokes Athletics Center for the Baccalaureate Mass. The ceremony is weather permitting. |
Campus Mall |
| 4:45 pm |
Baccalaureate Mass - An opportunity for the graduates, their friends and families, and faculty and staff to pray in thanksgiving for the opportunity to have come together to live and learn. All denominations are welcome to attend. No tickets are required. |
DeGol Arena |
| Following Baccalaureate Mass |
Undergraduate Dinner - For undergraduate candidates, their families, and friends. Graduates can pick up tickets beginning Monday, April 15 at the Business Office in Scotus Hall. Students receive three (3) complimentary tickets (one ticket for the graduate and two additional tickets for family members). Additional tickets may be purchased for $20.00 each for adults and $10.00 each for children under 12 years of age. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 30. |
Stokes Aux Gym |
| 7 pm - 9 pm |
President’s Dessert Reception - For undergraduate candidates, their families, and friends. There is no charge for the reception. |
JFK Lounge |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
May 4, 2013
| 9 am - 2 pm |
Brunch |
Torvian Dining Hall |
| 8 am - 2 pm |
Cafe Gubbio Open |
St. Francis Hall |
8:30 am - 10 am
12:30 p.m. - 2 pm |
Pick up cap & gown |
Outside the Auxiliary Gym, Stokes Athletics Center |
| 9:15 am |
Graduate Candidates Report to Stokes |
Stokes Athletics Center |
| 10 am |
Mass |
Immaculate Conception Chapel |
| 10:30 am - 1:30 pm |
Bookstore open |
JFK Lower Level |
| 9:45 am |
Graduate Commencement Procession begins |
Stokes Athletics Center |
| 10 am |
Graduate Commencement Ceremony begins - Tickets are not necessary for the Graduate Commencement ceremony. There are no reserved seats for guests. Special seating arrangements will be made for the physically challenged on the main floor of the DeGol Arena. Please limit the number of guests seated on the floor to one or two people, as seating is limited. Other family members should sit in the regular audience seats.
Following the graduate ceremony, the DeGol Arena will be cleared to allow time to prepare for the Undergraduate Commencement. No one will be permitted to remain in the arena between ceremonies. Graduate candidates who wish to take photos after the ceremony may do so in the JFK Auditorium during the Graduate Reception. LifeTouch photographers will also be available in the JFK Auditorium to take posed pictures of graduates. |
DeGol Arena, Stokes Athletics Center |
| 10 am to 11:30 pm |
Social Work pinning ceremony and brunch |
Frankie’s, John F. Kennedy Center |
| 11:15 am |
Graduate Candidates Reception - Graduates receive three (3) complimentary tickets (one ticket for the graduate and two additional tickets for family members). Additional tickets may be purchased for $12.00 each for adults and $6.00 each for children under 12 years of age.
Beginning Monday, April 15, graduate candidates may pick up tickets at the Business Office in Scotus Hall, or place reservations for tickets by calling (814) 472-3260 or by mgrecek@francis.edu. The deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, April 30. Reserved tickets may be paid for at the reception from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Information Desk in the John F. Kennedy Center. |
John F. Kennedy Center Lounge |
| 1:15 pm |
Undergraduate Candidates Report to Stokes |
Stokes Athletics Center |
| 1:45 pm |
Undergraduate Candidates Procession begins |
Stokes Athletics Center |
| 2 pm |
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony begins - The DeGol Arena will open at 12:45 p.m. for the arrival of students and guests. Tickets are not necessary for the Commencement ceremony. There are no reserved seats for guests. Ample seating is available for family and friends. Special seating arrangements will be made for the physically challenged on the main floor of the DeGol Arena. Please limit the number of guests seated on the floor to one or two people as seating is limited. Other family members should sit in the regular audience seats. |
DeGol Arena, Stokes Athletics Center |
| Following Undergraduate Commencement |
Chemistry Graduate Reception |
Sullivan 202 |
Monday, May 6, 2013
Bookstore open, 8:30 am - 4 pm, JFK Lower Level
Graduation Announcements
Personalized announcement packages may be purchased through Herff-Jones. Announcements will arrive personalized with your name, degree, major and commencement date information. The Saint Francis University Bookstore carries general announcement packets for students who prefer a simpler option.
Photography
During the Commencement exercises, Roles Lifetouch Photography Studio will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma. The photography studio will mail information about the handshake photos to parents prior to Commencement; proofs and order forms will be mailed after graduation
Photo opportunities will be available in the JFK Auditorium following the Graduate Ceremony and on the Commencement stage in DeGol Arena following the Undergraduate ceremony. LifeTouch photographers will also be available to take posed pictures of graduates in the JFK Auditorium following the Graduate and Undergraduate ceremonies.
Parking
Parking for Commencement is available in the commuter parking lot adjacent to the Stokes Athletics Center and in the parking lot adjacent to the John F. Kennedy Student Center. Those who have difficulty walking or who use a wheelchair may be dropped off near the main entrance. University police officers will be stationed near the Stokes Athletics Center to provide directions. If you have questions in the weeks before Commencement regarding special parking needs, please contact University Police at (814) 472-3360.
Directions to campus
Hotel Accommodations
For those interested in arranging overnight accommodations in the local area, a list of area hotels and motels is available.
Questions?
A final schedule of all University services (John F. Kennedy Student Center hours, Saint Francis University Bookstore hours, and Torvian Cafe and Frankie's hours) will be available at the Information Desk in the upper level of the John F. Kennedy Student Center during Commencement Weekend. If you have any questions regarding Commencement weekend activities, please contact 814-472-3005. Congratulations to you and your families. Enjoy the weekend!