Commencement

Congratulations Parents and Family Members!

Parents, family, and special friends, on behalf of the entire Graduation Committee I want to extend my sincere congratulations to you as well. Your guidance, moral support, and financial assistance have played an important role in your student's college journey and success. Thank you for entrusting Carroll College with your student. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2023 with all of you!
Carroll College Registrar's Office

Class of 2023 Commencement Schedule

The Graduation Committee has set the dates, times, and locations for the events honoring graduates of the Class of 2023 as follows:

ROTC Commissioning
Friday, May 12, 12:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda

Graduation Rehearsal (mandatory for all graduates)
Friday, May 12, 1:00 p.m., Nelson Stadium
Rehearsal is mandatory for all graduates! Come learn all of the details for graduation day and practice lining up and walking across the stage -- be sure to bring your name card with line-up number.

President's Toast to the Class of 2023 (grads & families)
Friday, May 12, 2:30 p.m., Plaza between Hunthausen Activity Center & PE Center
Join your classmates, family, and friends for the President's Toast to the Class of 2023. The President will offer a few remarks, and you will be officially welcomed as Carroll College Alumni. More information about the unveiling of the class bricks will also be shared.

Nursing Recognition and Pinning Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 3:30 p.m., Nelson Stadium

Education Pinning Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 4:00 p.m., Lower Campus Center

MSW Hooding Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 4:30 pm, Simperman 101

MACC Hooding Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 6:00 pm, Fortin Science Scola

Golden Grads
Friday, May 12, Cocktails: 5:30 p.m., Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Campus Center

Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday, May 13, 9:30 a.m., Cathedral of Saint Helena
Come together for a special Mass honoring the Class of 2023. All graduates are invited and encouraged to attend. A maximum of two guests per graduate attending Mass at the Cathedral are allowed – tickets can be picked up at the Campus Ministry offices beginning Wednesday, May 10. Additional family members and other guests will be able to join via live stream. Graduates will assemble by 9:00 a.m. outside the Cathedral. Class photo will be taken after Mass.

113th Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m., Nelson Stadium
The graduates of the Class of 2023 will be front and center at the 113th Commencement Ceremony! Commencement will be held outdoors rain or shine. Unlimited guests allowed per graduate for the outdoor ceremony. Stadium doors will open for seating at 12:00 p.m. Graduates will assemble by 12:30 p.m. on the field near Guadalupe Hall. A virtual live stream will also be available. View the online Commencement Program

Graduation Sunday Mass
Sunday, May 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m., All Saints Chapel
A special Mass for graduating students and their families will be held in All Saints Chapel.

Cap and Gown Distribution

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | O'Connell Hall
Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | O'Connell Hall
Baccalaureate guest tickets can be picked up in the Campus Ministry offices during these same times.

Graduates pick up your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and name card with line-up number. At this time, you may bring items for the class time capsule. Smaller mementos like your ID cards, name tags, and photos are best because space is limited.

Be sure you have submitted your graduate survey, completed your financial aid exit interview, and cleared all bills (parking tickets, library fines, Wellness Center charges, student account payments, etc.) beforehand.

Additional Information

Photographs
Helena Photography will be taking a class photo. Kevin Hudson, the owner of Helena Photography, will be sending information to graduates and their families about how to order pictures. He can also be contacted via www.helenaphotography.com or (406) 443-1966.

Graduation Announcements
Standard graduation announcements can be ordered at the Carroll Bookstore. For personalized graduation announcements, visit jostens.com to place your order.

Need Lodging?
Families planning to seek lodging in the Helena area should make their reservations as soon as possible. For information about lodging, visit the official Travel Montana website.

Additional Questions
If you have any questions regarding Baccalaureate Mass, Commencement, or other graduation events, please feel free to stop by the Registrar's Office, call (406) 447-5435, or email registraroffice@carroll.edu.

Q: Where do I order my cap and gown?
The graduating student fee that is charged to each student covers the cost of the cap, gown, and hood (among other things), so these items will be ordered for you. Your regalia is ordered based on the height information you provided and your major, with your major determining your hood color.

Q: If I’m a double major, how do I know what major I will be graduating with?
Students with more than one major will be walking with the primary (first) major listed on the graduation application, and that determines the hood color that was ordered. Graduates will be emailed in early March and given the chance to swap which major they want to walk with by informing the Registrar’s Office.

Q: When and where do I go to pick up my cap and gown (and guest tickets)?
Your cap and gown can be picked up on Wednesday, May 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or Thursday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m in O'Connell Hall. Baccalaureate Mass guest tickets (two per graduate attending Mass) can be picked up from the Campus Ministry offices during this same time.

Q: When and where is graduation rehearsal and do I have to attend?
All graduates must attend the graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m., Nelson Stadium. You will learn important details about graduation day, and rehearsal will lead into the President's Toast to the Class of 2023, which will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Q: When and where will graduation be held and what time do I have to arrive?
Commencement will start at 1:00 p.m., Nelson Stadium on Saturday, May 13. You will need to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. and assemble on the fields near Guadalupe Hall. 

Q: When and where will the Baccalaureate Mass be held and what time do I have to arrive?
Baccalaureate Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Helena on Saturday, May 13. You will need to arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. and assemble on the lawn outside the Cathedral. 

Q: How many guests can I bring to graduation?
Unlimited guests are allowed per graduate for the outdoor ceremony. Stadium doors will open for seating at 12:00 p.m. Graduates will assemble by 12:30 p.m. on the field near Guadalupe Hall. A livestream option will be available.

Q: How many guests can I bring to Baccalaureate?
Due to limited capacity in the Cathedral, graduates attending the Baccalaureate Mass will be allowed up to two guests in person; guest tickets can be picked up from the Campus Ministry offices during the same time as cap and gown pick-up. A live stream option will be available for additional family members and guests.

Q: What happens if there is rain or snow?
If the Commencement ceremony is outside, it will be held rain or shine, so come prepared. In case of a weather event that makes it unsafe to be outside, such as lightning or a thunderstorm or hailstorm, we have an inclement weather plan.

Q: What if one of my guests has special seating needs? 
Nelson Stadium are able to accommodate guests who might need special seating during the Commencement ceremony, such as wheelchair access or seating on a lower level. The first row of seating in Nelson Stadium across the entire front of the stadium will be designated as Accessible Seating and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Q: Who is the Commencement speaker this year?
The Commencement ceremonies will focus on the graduating students, the families who have supported them, and the Carroll community. The ceremony will include a faculty address and a student speaker from the graduating class.

Q: Will there be class toasts, and when will the class bricks be unveiled?
The President's Toast to the Class of 2023 will be held immediately after rehearsal on Friday, May 12 - the toast will begin at 2:30 p.m. More information about the class bricks will be shared at the toast.

Q: What does the $160 graduation fee cover?
The fee that is charged to all graduating students covers the cost of the diplomas, the diploma covers distributed at the graduation ceremony, the class bricks, the academic regalia (cap, gown, hood), various senior student and graduation event costs, and various administrative costs. All graduating students are charged the full graduation fee, even if they do not plan to participate in the May ceremony (though we hope everyone will!).

Q: Where can I purchase graduation announcements?
Standard graduation announcements can be ordered at the Carroll Saints Shoppe (bookstore). For personalized graduation announcements, visit www.jostens.com to place your order.

Q: Where can I get graduation pictures?
Helena Photography will only be taking a class photograph at Baccalaureate. Kevin Hudson, the owner, will be sending information to graduates and their families about how to order those pictures. He can also be contacted via www.helenaphotography.com or (406) 443-1966.

Q: Where can I direct my out-of-town guests to for lodging needs?
For out-of-town guests, please refer them to www.visitmt.com. We recommend booking a place as soon as possible.

Q: What if I have more questions?
The Registrar’s Office can field your questions – please stop by our office in O’Connell Hall, call us at (406) 447-5435, or email us at registraroffice@carroll.edu.

2023 Graduation Event Attendance

  • Potential event participants experiencing any CDC-recognized COVID-19 symptoms must not attend any graduation events in person but should participate virtually instead

Inclement Weather Plans

  • During the line-up for Baccalaureate, in the case of dangerous weather (thunderstorm, hailstorm) graduates will assemble in the lower level of the Cathedral instead of on the lawn
  • During line-up for Commencement, if the ceremony is held outside, in the case of dangerous weather (thunderstorm, hailstorm) graduates will assemble in the Great Hall of the Hunthausen Activity Center instead of near Guadalupe Hall; faculty and staff will assemble in the lobby of the PE Center instead of in the back parking lot; guests will be encouraged to remain in their vehicles until it is safe to enter the Stadium stands
  • If inclement weather arises during the ceremony, participants will move to the PE Center. Guests will be directed to alternative campus locations where they will be able to view a live stream version of the ceremony.

Baccalaureate Mass in Cathedral of St. Helena

  • All guests are required to present a ticket for entry into the Cathedral as available seating is very limited

Commencement Ceremony in Nelson Stadium

  • Only graduates, dignitaries, faculty, staff, and volunteers will be allowed on the field
  • Water will be available for purchase/donation by guests who do not bring their own; in the event that a guest feels faint from sun or heat, they may go under the stands temporarily for shade.
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