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Commencement

Undergraduate Ceremony

CEREMONY DETAILS

  • The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony is Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Cintas Center.  
  • Undergraduate students from all colleges attend the same ceremony.
  • The ceremony is live-streamed for degree recipients who elect not to attend in person and for family and friends. The live-stream link is posted on the commencement homepage on the day of the ceremony.
  • Degree recipients who attend in person have their name announced and cross the stage with their diploma.

ATTENDANCE AND GUEST POLICIES

In order to have your name included in the Commencement program, all degree recipients must submit their application for graduation no later than Friday, March 14.

All guests are ticketed. More details about ticket policies will be available soon.

Guests enter the main (south) entrance of the Cintas Center.  If you or your guests have any access or accommodations needs, please email commencement@xavier.edu. 

Important Security Reminders:

  • All graduates and guests go through a security screening upon entrance into the Cintas Center.
  • Banners, flags, and anything that obstructs sight lines are prohibited.
  • Security and staff are present and engaged throughout the ceremony, any event disruptions will be addressed swiftly and accordingly.
  • Cap designs and messaging need to be respectful and appropriate; indecent, profane, or explicit content will not be permitted.
  • The designated area for demonstration or peaceful protest is Husman Stage.
  • Graduates responsible for disruption (interferes with the normal functioning of the ceremony) are subject to the Student Conduct Process (includes the risk of loss of diploma).

PRE-CEREMONY INFORMATION

Degree recipients are encouraged to record the proper pronunciation of their name via Name Coach.  Information about this process is sent to degree recipients via email.  Recordings should be submitted no later than Friday, May 2 to allow name readers proper time to prepare for the ceremony.

If you are graduating from Xavier and have a parent who is a full-time employee of Xavier University, please email commencement@xavier.edu. 

GRADUATE INFORMATION

Degree recipients should arrive at the Cintas Center between 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 and enter the assembly area inside the Cintas Center at the west entrance marked Student Athlete Academic Center.

Each candidate should obtain a name card that indicates a row/position according to degree. After taking your position in the line, candidates should remain in place and keep your name card. The name card is used for reading your name when you walk across the stage. Volunteers direct participants at appropriate times throughout the ceremony. No rehearsal is required.

Personal property should not be left in the assembly area. Xavier University cannot be responsible for missing articles.

The seating for candidates is arranged by degree.  When facing the stage, graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Science are seated on the left side. When facing the stage, graduates from the any of our Honors Programs (HAB, PPP, University Scholars, Community Engaged Fellows, and Smith Scholars), the College of Nursing, and the Williams College of Business are seated on the right side. 

Undergraduates should return to and remain in their seats until the conclusion of the ceremony.

We estimate the ceremony will last approximately 3 hours.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

The commencement program will be available here in pdf format prior to the ceremony.

Please note that the honors listed are based upon the graduate's cumulative grade point average at the end of the fall semester.  Any changes to honors will be reflected on the graduate's diploma and can be revised for the name calling portion of the ceremony. 

DIPLOMAS

Actual diplomas are not distributed at the Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas are mailed from the Registrar's Office to the student address on file in Banner Self-Service in mid-July.  

LIVESTREAMING

Each ceremony is live-streamed for students who elect not to attend in person and for family and friends. The live-stream will be posted on the commencement homepage on the day of the ceremony.