Commencement Rehearsal - Thursday, May 22nd, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
All students participating in the commencement events must attend the rehearsal on Thursday morning. During this, students will walk through the various elements of the ceremonies to ensure everything goes as well as possible. Attendance is mandatory.
Thursday, May 22rd - Baccalaureate & Senior Dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23rd - Class Photo at 8:00 a.m., Closing Chapel & Commencement at 9:00 a.m.
Baccalaureate - This ceremony is the last time our seniors will attend a chapel service together in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The service consists of readings from Scripture, a special address to the Class of 2025, and various musical offerings. A limited number of guests will be able to attend with each graduate due to the size of our historic chapel. Overflow seating will be available for others to watch a livestream of the service. Semi-formal dress (ties, dresses, sport coats, etc.) is recommended.
Senior Dinner - The Senior Dinner is held immediately following Baccalaureate. The dinner is an SSM tradition to honor the graduates and their families on the night before commencement. The service includes a series of toasts and responses, musical reflections, good cheer, and comradery. The dinner is prepared by our SSM Food Service Team and includes reserved seating. Due to space constraints, we allow four guests for each graduate.
Closing Chapel and Commencement - These events also take place in the gym of The Putrah Sports Complex. Graduates receive their gifts and a blessing from the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, they learn lessons from our commencement speaker, several awards are distributed, and the ceremony ends with the conferring of diplomas for the Class of 2025! There is general admission seating and graduates may invite as many guests as they would like. A lunch is available in Morgan Dining Hall for everyone in attendance following the ceremony. RSVPs are not required to attend the lunch. Boarding students are expected to clean and checkout of their dorm rooms by 4:00 pm.