Dougherty Family College (DFC) Commencement for 2023

1. Please log into Murphy Online to review your degree evaluation and ensure that all your requirements are showing as “Complete” or “Complete (with classes in progress).” If it does not indicate this or you have any questions, please contact your department for assistance.

2. Students will be invited by email to participate in commencement ceremonies. Completion of your grad app is very important as this is where you apply to graduate (earning your degree) AND indicate if you are choosing to participate in your commencement ceremony on May 21, 2023.

   There are three separate deadlines available for the completing the grad app:

   • March 12, 2023 – students must complete the grad app and place regalia order to guarantee regalia is available for pick up at the Minneapolis Bookstore on or after May 2.
   • March 31, 2023 – students must complete the grad app and place regalia order to guarantee regalia arrives before commencement.
   • May 1, 2023 at 11:59pm– This is the final opportunity to complete the grad app to participate in commencement on May 21 and have regalia, but availability of sizes is not guaranteed.

   *If you are a Summer 2022, December 2022 or January 2023 graduate and have already completed your grad and are participating in the May 2023 ceremony, you will receive additional information regarding your ceremonies separately. Please watch your email for this information.

1. Put the schedule of events on your calendar.
2. Request accessibility needs for you or your guests. ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters will be provided for all ceremonies; ASL users do not need to make individual requests for this. Attendees who need to see the ASL interpreters will be directed to dedicated seating close to the interpreters when they arrive. If you are participating in the commencement ceremony and you, or your guests, have an accessibility request, please contact Disability Resources. Please submit your request by April 28, 2023. We will make every effort to accommodate requests after this date; earlier notification is appreciated. Read more details about Commencement 2022 accessibility.
3. Visit the St. Thomas Campus Store to find all your graduation supplies; including diploma frames, announcements, gifts and more.
4. Complete your student loan exit counseling.
   
   Watch for more communication from the Financial Aid Office regarding loans you borrowed. Visit this Financial Aid webpage for more information.

1. Connect on Social.
   
   Follow @UofStThomasMN Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for up-to-date information and use hashtags #TommieGrad and #UST2023 to be featured on @UofStThomasMN Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
2. Plan how your guests will commute to and park at the St. Paul campus.
   Review details on directions and parking along with the severe weather plan.
3. March Out of the Arches on May 19. It is a special tradition for new students to begin their time at St. Thomas by walking through the arches, into campus, symbolizing the joining of the St. Thomas community. The tradition comes full circle on the Friday evening of commencement weekend. Family, friends, alumni and community members are invited to line the sidewalks outside of the arches to celebrate and congratulate our graduating undergraduates as they march out of the arches.
   Join your classmates at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 19, to participate in the annual March Out of the Arches.
4. Attend the Baccalaureate Mass on May 19. The Baccalaureate Mass, a long-standing tradition at St. Thomas, will be on Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, located at 239 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Caps and gowns will not be worn during the Mass. All graduates and their families are invited to attend.

Arrival

Graduates should arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of their ceremony. 

Leave Prohibited Items at Home

Do not bring items into the fieldhouse that might detract from the dignity of the ceremony, or take any action that interferes with the ceremony.

• Balloons, beach balls, and noisemakers are prohibited at all ceremonies.
• Alcohol is not to be brought to and/or consumed at the ceremony.
• St. Thomas is a tobacco-free campus.

Photos and Mingling After the Ceremony

There will be several photo opportunities on the lower quad for graduates and guests to take photos. We understand and honor your desire to commemorate this occasion with photos, hugs, and greeting fellow graduates and families.

Please note: After each ceremony, guests and graduates will remain in their designated areas until each group is ushered separately out of the facilities. Guests and graduates will not be allowed to co-mingle in the fieldhouse following the ceremonies for pictures. Instead, our event staff will guide all parties to the lower quad separately to celebrate this wonderful day.

1. Provide feedback on the commencement experience to improve future ceremonies. A survey will be sent to graduates.
2. Consider sending a graduation announcement to your local newspaper.
3. Update your contact information in Murphy Online.
   
   We want to make sure any future transcript requests or other important information gets sent to the right place. Please update your address to your current mailing address or another address you will continue to have access to.
4. Receive your diploma.
   
   If all graduation requirements have been met, Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma address provided on the graduation application in June assuming all graduation requirements have been met. Be sure to complete any outstanding payments with the Business Office to ensure timely delivery.