Commencement Rehearsal - Thursday, May 25th, 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 25th - Baccalaureate & Senior Dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 26th - 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 2023, 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 on the North Chapel Lawn. 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. Please note; the dinner is held outdoors under a large tent on a grass lawn. Please dress for the weather and keep the grass lawn in mind when you choose your footwear.
Closing Chapel and Commencement- These events also take place on the North Chapel Lawn under a tent on a grassy surface. Please keep this in mind as you choose your attire. 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 2023! There is general admission seating and graduates may invite as many guests as they would like. A class photo is taken after the service along with an available lunch in Morgan Dining Hall for everyone in attendance. RSVPs are not required to attend the lunch. Boarding students are expected to clean and checkout of their dorm rooms by 4:00 pm.