Participant Information

Tickets

Every graduate will receive 9 tickets for guests and 1 ticket for her/himself during the Commencement Ticket Distribution Period (see "Important Dates").  All tickets must be picked up by the Graduate with a photo ID.  Please continue to check your Mount St. Mary's email account for your ticket pick-up location.  There will NOT be any additional tickets sold after the ticket distribution period.

*A guest is considered any person over 2 years old.  Babies less than two years old will need to be seated on an adult's lap. No strollers will be allowed into the amphitheater.

Cap and Gown

Mount St. Mary's College graduates wear black graduation gowns with black caps and an academic hood during the Commencement Ceremony. For more information about ordering your cap and gown set, please visit the Jostens website.  Be sure to include your type of degree (B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., etc.) on the ordering form, so the proper hood is ordered. If you are unsure as to what type of degree you are receiving, please check with your departmental head or academic dean. 

If you already have a black graduation gown and cap, you may purchase the academic hood and tassel separately.  Please see the "Commencement Decorum" section for more information on appropriate Commencement attire.

Map of Venue and Parking

Please visit the Gibson Amphitheatre's Official Site for driving directions and parking information, including parking fees. 

Honor Cords

Undergraduate students graduating with honors will be invited to either Laurel Day (Doheny) or Mary's Day (Chalon) where they will receive their honor cords.  If you are not able to attend the event, you may speak with your Academic Dean to receive the cords.

Diploma and Participation

Official college diplomas will be mailed to the graduates about six weeks after Commencement.  Be sure that the Registrar's Office has your current mailing address.  Students with an outstanding debt to the College will not receive their transcripts or diploma until their account is paid in full.

Assembly of Graduates

Graduates are asked to arrive at the Gibson Amphitheater by 1:30 PM in order to be processed in, fill out graduation information, complete a short survey, and assemble in the line up area by the appropriate major.  Coming later than this time may keep you from processing in with your class.  Please follow the Commencement Staff's directions to line up in the appropriate area.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU LINE UP ON TIME AS THERE WILL BE NO REHERSAL!  Graduates are to use their BLUE ticket to get into the Gibson Amphitheater and follow the signs to the "Graduate Gathering Area."  Only graduates will be allowed in this area. Graduates will not return to this area.  Do not leave anything there. Graduates should come dressed for Commencement (cap, gown, and hood) and not have purses, backpacks, etc. 

Commencement Decorum

All graduates and those receiving certificates must wear a graduation gown and cap.  These can be ordered online via the Josten's Website.  They should be ordered well in advance of the ceremony.  Graduation protocol says that NO ORNAMENTATION may be worn on academic attire.  Caps are not to be decorated; floweres, leis, or outer jewlery are not to be worn during the ceremony, only President's Awards and Academic Honors Cords given at Mary's Day or Laurel Day.  All must comply.  Inappropriate items will be removed prior to procession.

Master and Doctoral students will carry their hoods during the procession and be hooded during the conferring of degree.

Commencement Photos

Professional photographers from Bob Knight Photography will be taking pictures of the graduates as they receive their diploma and as they shake President Doud's hand.  Within 48 hours of Commencement, an invitation to purchase these photos will be sent to each graduate's email address from the photography studio.

Alumnae Association

Once you graduate from Mount St. Mary's College, you are automatically a member of the Alumnae Association.  Please visit their website for benefits you receive as a Mount Graduate.

Class Rings, Announcements, Cap and Gown Ordering

Representatives from Jostens will be on campus on various dates through the semester.  However, you can visit The Jostens Website to order these items online.

*This website will be continually updated as more information becomes available.
For additional questions please email commencement@msmc.la.edu *