Where and when is Commencement?

Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The schedule of ceremonies is as follows: 10:30 a.m.: Undergraduate ceremony 1:30 p.m.: Undergraduate ceremony 4:00 p.m.: Graduate ceremony Undergraduates will be able to choose which ceremony they prefer.

What paperwork do I need to graduate?

Undergraduate students: Apply for degree completion in Workday, if you have not already. This is a critically important step to graduate. It will ensure your name is in the program, and register you to receive emails about Grad Fair and Commencement. Graduate students: Submit your Intent to Graduate form. This is a critically important step to graduate. It will ensure your name is in the program and put you on the list to receive emails about Commencement. Please contact your graduate advisor if you have questions.

Are tickets required for Commencement, and how do I get them?

Tickets are required to enter the May 11 Commencement ceremony at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Grand Ballroom. Graduates, you will RSVP for the event by securing your ticket. You can also claim tickets for your guests: Those completing an undergraduate degree can claim up to six guest tickets, and graduates completing master’s and doctoral programs can claim up to eight guest tickets. No tickets are required for children ages two and under. All tickets are complimentary. Important ticketing information March 27: Ticketing website goes live; watch your Hamline email for details on how to claim your tickets March 27 to April 15: Students claim their allotted tickets and enter the lottery for additional tickets April 16: Unclaimed tickets go into the lottery April 18: Lottery names are drawn and notifications are made to those receiving additional tickets Grads have been emailed access to the ticketing website.

What are the regalia attire guidelines?

Graduating students are required to wear a black cap and gown to the commencement ceremony. Students are permitted to decorate their cap to positively represent their Hamline University experience. Decorations must be flat on top of the cap so as not to obstruct views for others. Approved organizations and academic societies distribute regalia pieces (e.g., stoles, cords, tassels, pins, medals) directly to the students who qualify for them. To honor our graduates and to create a respectful environment for members of our community on this special occasion, the images, symbols, and words that show the following are prohibited: Profanity, nudity, sexual innuendos, or rude comments Alcohol and/or drug related references Political references Content that advocates drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior that is harmful to the safety of students Any symbols, words, etc. that represent any group/organization external to Hamline University Hamline reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing regalia adornments if they are deemed inappropriate beyond the list noted above. Students will be required to remove the inappropriate items in order to participate in the ceremony.

How do I get my regalia?

Undergraduate Students: You may pick up your cap and gown at the Hamline Bookstore. Come by as soon as possible to ensure your size is available. Please contact us at hubookstore@hamline.edu or 651-523-2270, or swing by the store in Sorin Hall if you have questions. Graduate Students: You may pick up your master's degree cap, gown, hood, and tassel at the Hamline Bookstore. Limited stock is available; come by as soon as possible. Doctoral degree candidates must order online. April 11 was the last day to order online. For inquiries after April 11, please contact us at hubookstore@hamline.edu or 651-523-2270, or come by the store in Sorin Hall if you have questions.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Yes—the link will be available on this website as we get closer to May 11.

How do I get to Commencement? Where should I park?

Here are directions to the RiverCentre, and parking and transportation information. To locate the William Morrissey Grand Ballroom from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, take the elevator located on the north side of the parking ramp to the skyway. Proceed through the skyway and enter the first set of double doors on the right. Hamline-branded directional signage will also guide you. Tip: The RiverCentre Parking Ramp is right next to the Science Museum Parking Ramp. If you mistakenly park in the Science Museum Ramp, it does not connect via skyway and you'll have a longer walk outside.

How do I learn about accessibility at Commencement?

Visit the RiverCentre Accessibility/ADA Services website for more information.

When should I arrive for Commencement?

Grads should arrive one hour before the ceremony. For guests, the doors of the Grand Ballroom will open 30 minutes before the Commencement ceremony. Please be ready to present your Commencement tickets upon arrival—electronic or print is acceptable.

How do I know if I'm graduating with Latin Honors?

Latin honors are officially awarded upon completion of all degree requirements. Due to the timing of final grades, Latin honors for the commencement ceremony are calculated after J-Term. Latin Honors are awarded only at the undergraduate level. Grads who qualify for Latin Honors will be given a gold tassel in the grad line-up room on Commencement day.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas take approximately four to eight weeks to arrive. Please email registrar@hamline.edu with any questions.

If I graduate in December, how will I learn details about Commencement?

Continue to check your Hamline email after you graduate, as that is the official way the university communicates with you about event details. Emails will come from commencement@hamline.edu. Sometimes recent grads overlook the annual password reset requirement. This blocks access to their Hamline email, and communications are missed. To avoid this happening, periodically check your Hamline email and reset your password before the deadline. If you need assistance reactivating your account, contact csd@hamline.edu.

Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2024–you did it!

Please join us as we celebrate the graduation of the Hamline class of 2024. Commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024. We will celebrate the following graduates:

December 2023
May 2024
Summer 2024

We wish you all great success as you start your next chapter!

Multifaith Baccalaureate Ceremony

One of the joys of Commencement is the Hamline Multifaith Baccalaureate service, which expresses gratitude and blessing for the graduating seniors, their families and friends, and Hamline faculty and staff. Graduating seniors from diverse religious and spiritual identities participate as readers and speakers, along with President Murray, Board of Trustees, Minnesota Annual Conference United Methodist Church representatives, and a special speaker from Hamline staff or faculty.

This year, the service will be in the Anderson Center Forum on Friday, May 10, at 4 p.m., with a post-service reception of appetizers and refreshments. This is a great opportunity for graduates to take photos in their caps and gowns with family and friends.

Commencement FAQs

Where and when is Commencement?

Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The schedule of ceremonies is as follows:
- 10:30 a.m.: Undergraduate ceremony
- 1:30 p.m.: Undergraduate ceremony
- 4:00 p.m.: Graduate ceremony
Undergraduates will be able to choose which ceremony they prefer.
What paperwork do I need to graduate?

Undergraduate students: Apply for degree completion in Workday, if you have not already. This is a critically important step to graduate. It will ensure your name is in the program, and register you to receive emails about Grad Fair and Commencement.

Graduate students: Submit your Intent to Graduate form. This is a critically important step to graduate. It will ensure your name is in the program and put you on the list to receive emails about Commencement. Please contact your graduate advisor if you have questions.
Are tickets required for Commencement, and how do I get them?

Tickets are required to enter the May 11 Commencement ceremony at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Grand Ballroom.
Graduates, you will RSVP for the event by securing your ticket. You can also claim tickets for your guests: Those completing an undergraduate degree can claim up to six guest tickets, and graduates completing master’s and doctoral programs can claim up to eight guest tickets. No tickets are required for children ages two and under. All tickets are complimentary.

Important ticketing information
- March 27: Ticketing website goes live; watch your Hamline email for details on how to claim your tickets
- March 27 to April 15: Students claim their allotted tickets and enter the lottery for additional tickets
- April 16: Unclaimed tickets go into the lottery
- April 18: Lottery names are drawn and notifications are made to those receiving additional tickets
Grads have been emailed access to the ticketing website.
What are the regalia attire guidelines?

Graduating students are required to wear a black cap and gown to the commencement ceremony. Students are permitted to decorate their cap to positively represent their Hamline University experience. Decorations must be flat on top of the cap so as not to obstruct views for others. Approved organizations and academic societies distribute regalia pieces (e.g., stoles, cords, tassels, pins, medals) directly to the students who qualify for them.
To honor our graduates and to create a respectful environment for members of our community on this special occasion, the images, symbols, and words that show the following are prohibited:
- Profanity, nudity, sexual innuendos, or rude comments
- Alcohol and/or drug related references
- Political references
- Content that advocates drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior that is harmful to the safety of students
- Any symbols, words, etc. that represent any group/organization external to Hamline University
Hamline reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing regalia adornments if they are deemed inappropriate beyond the list noted above. Students will be required to remove the inappropriate items in order to participate in the ceremony.
How do I get my regalia?

Undergraduate Students: You may pick up your cap and gown at the Hamline Bookstore. Come by as soon as possible to ensure your size is available. Please contact us at hubookstore@hamline.edu or 651-523-2270, or swing by the store in Sorin Hall if you have questions.

Graduate Students: You may pick up your master's degree cap, gown, hood, and tassel at the Hamline Bookstore. Limited stock is available; come by as soon as possible. Doctoral degree candidates must order online. April 11 was the last day to order online. For inquiries after April 11, please contact us at hubookstore@hamline.edu or 651-523-2270, or come by the store in Sorin Hall if you have questions.
Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Yes—the link will be available on this website as we get closer to May 11.
How do I get to Commencement? Where should I park?

Here are directions to the RiverCentre, and parking and transportation information.

To locate the William Morrissey Grand Ballroom from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, take the elevator located on the north side of the parking ramp to the skyway. Proceed through the skyway and enter the first set of double doors on the right. Hamline-branded directional signage will also guide you.

Tip: The RiverCentre Parking Ramp is right next to the Science Museum Parking Ramp. If you mistakenly park in the Science Museum Ramp, it does not connect via skyway and you'll have a longer walk outside.
How do I learn about accessibility at Commencement?

Visit the RiverCentre Accessibility/ADA Services website for more information.
When should I arrive for Commencement?

Grads should arrive one hour before the ceremony.

For guests, the doors of the Grand Ballroom will open 30 minutes before the Commencement ceremony. Please be ready to present your Commencement tickets upon arrival—electronic or print is acceptable.
How do I know if I'm graduating with Latin Honors?

Latin honors are officially awarded upon completion of all degree requirements. Due to the timing of final grades, Latin honors for the commencement ceremony are calculated after J-Term. Latin Honors are awarded only at the undergraduate level. Grads who qualify for Latin Honors will be given a gold tassel in the grad line-up room on Commencement day.
When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas take approximately four to eight weeks to arrive. Please email registrar@hamline.edu with any questions.
If I graduate in December, how will I learn details about Commencement?

Continue to check your Hamline email after you graduate, as that is the official way the university communicates with you about event details. Emails will come from commencement@hamline.edu.

Sometimes recent grads overlook the annual password reset requirement. This blocks access to their Hamline email, and communications are missed. To avoid this happening, periodically check your Hamline email and reset your password before the deadline. If you need assistance reactivating your account, contact csd@hamline.edu.

Photosensitivity warning: There will be flash photography at the Commencement ceremonies.

View photos from the 2023 ceremonies

Baccalaureate photos by Donovan Burden

2023 commencement ceremonies 2023 Baccalaureate Ceremony

View videos from the 2023 Commencement ceremonies

10 a.m. ceremony 1 p.m. ceremony 3:30 p.m. ceremony

Contact information

Conference and Event Management

651-523-2474

commencement@hamline.edu