December & May Ceremonies

Grad Fest

The Fall 2026 Grad Fest will be held Monday, October 19 from 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Maloney Room located on the third floor of the Main Building. This is your one stop shop for all graduation needs including pictures, regalia, grad cords, registrar assistance and more. 

Ring Ceremony 

Join your classmates for your Ring Ceremony and root yourself to the University through this special tradition. The Ring Ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026 as one of the final Homecoming Events. Family and friends are invited to join you for Ring Ceremony as well as this is the only ring ceremony for the 2026-2027 academic year 

Baccalaureate Mass

The St. Edward’s University Baccalaureate Mass is a cherished tradition held before commencement to honor our graduating Hilltoppers. Rooted in the university’s Holy Cross values, the Mass offers blessings, prayer and reflections as graduates prepare for their next chapter. All graduates, families, and guests of any faith or background are welcome to attend.

• December 11th at 10 a.m. in the Chapel.

Ceremony Schedule

The Commencement Ceremony schedule provides graduates, families and guests with the official timeline and locations for all events and festivities. Following the schedule ensures everyone can fully participate in this special Hilltop celebration.

Please see the schedule and times below:

• 3 p.m. Ceremony: School of Behavioral and Social Sciences (Grad and Undergrad), School of Natural Sciences and School of Health Sciences, Bill Munday School of Business (Grad and Undergrad) and School of Arts and Humanities

• Legacy Walk will follow the Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Program(s)

The Commencement program is a printed or digital booklet for guests that lists the order of events, names of all graduates and information about speakers and special honors. It's a treasured memento of this special day on the hilltop.

• December Commencement Program

Commencement Livestream

The livestream lets friends and family from anywhere in the world join the celebration in real time. Broadcast on the university’s YouTube channel, the stream captures the full celebration—from the procession to the final cheer. It’s the perfect way to include every Hilltopper supporter, near or far.

• St. Edward's University Class of 2026 December Commencement 

  • December Afternoon Ceremony

Commencement Ticketing Information

Tickets are required for all guests attending the ceremony. Each graduate will receive 5 tickets to share with family and friends. Guests must present their ticket, either printed or on a mobile device, to enter the venue. Graduates and guests are encouraged to review all ticketing details in advance to ensure a smooth arrival on commencement day. You can obtain tickets at Hometown Ticketing beginning October 12, 2026.

Tassels for Toppers - Helping Every Hilltopper Cross the Stage with Blue and Gold Pride

Graduating is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of your hard work and dedication. The Tassels for Toppers program, a new donor-supported initiative, provides subsidized graduation regalia to students with demonstrated financial need. Our goal is to ensure every student, regardless of their financial background, can participate in commencement ceremonies with pride.

How to Apply
To be considered for the program, you must be a currently enrolled St. Edward's University student who has been approved for graduation this semester and is experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from purchasing your regalia. 

• Spring Commencement Applications Timeline:
  • Fall 2026 Application
  • Fall applications open: October 1, 2026
  • Application Deadline: October 14, 2026
  • Students who submitted applications will be notified by: November 9, 2026.

Students will be notified of their status by November 9, 2026 and, if approved, will receive instructions on how to obtain their regalia. Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at seualumni@stedwards.edu