Important Dates and Information

What follows is an overview of Commencement related events that will occur in the coming months.  Each of these items will be advertised in a variety of ways closer to the relevant date. 

Senior Student Commencement Speaker

Yeukai Mudzi, '12 was nominated by her peers and selected through a competitive process to be the student speaker at commencement.  From Harare, Zimbabwe, Yeukai is an Economics major and Anthropology minor.  The title of her speech will be "Our Last Day of Orientation."

Speaker for Commencement Address

Professor Jack Weatherford, DeWitt Wallace Professor of Anthropology, will deliver the commencement speech for the 2012 graduation ceremony.

Weatherford and his wife are legal residents of Mongolia, where he has concentrated his work in recent years.  He was recently honored for his scholarly contributions to Mongolian culture with the publication of two books, including international bestseller Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.  Mongolia recently announced the creation of a foundation and prize in honor of Weatherford which will be awarded annually to the author of the best work of scholarship about Mongolian history or culture written in the Mongolian language.

Professor Weatherford has taught at Macalester since 1983.

Senior Class Gift

Macalester’s annual senior Class Gift Campaign is led by a committee of students supported by staff in Macalester’s Annual Fund Office. The campaign is a longstanding tradition and encourages all seniors to give a gift to Macalester in celebration of graduation and in thanks for an invaluable education. 

Caps and Gowns and Graduation Announcements

95 percent of graduating seniors choose to order a cap and gown for commencement. It’s easy, not too expensive, and if you take care of it ON TIME, it will keep parents, etc. from having a fit!  Measurements for caps and gowns will take place on March 27, March 28 and April 3 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center. The cost will be $30 payable to Macalester College. Pick up dates will be May 2 and May 3 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

To order Graduation Announcements

Rehearsal and Class Photo

A photo of the entire graduating class will be taken at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 10. This will be followed by a mandatory commencement rehearsal. At the rehearsal the students will determine the seating order for commencement.

Senior Week Activities

Senior Week ’12 will take place May 7-12, 2012. This culminating week for the Class of ’12 is planned by and for Macalester students. Please contact Allison Greenlee, Senior Week adviser at greenlee@macalester.edu if you have questions or are interested in helping to plan the week.

Information about Senior Week

Information and Assistance

Rain or shine, tickets are not necessary for attendance at the Commencement ceremony. There will be plenty of room, either on The Lawn or in the Leonard Center Field House, for all family members and friends of graduates to attend the ceremony.

Reservation forms for other scheduled events will be available on the web in March.  A mailing will be sent out prior to that time with information as to signing up for these events.

If you need additional information or assistance concerning Commencement 2012, please contact the Office of Student Affair, 651-696-6220. Staff members Pat Traynor and Laurie Hamre will be happy to assist you. You may also reach them via email:  traynor@macalester.edu and hamre@macaeslter.edu.

Commencement Photos and DVDs

Photographs are taken of individual graduates receiving their diplomas, and soon after the Commencement, you will be contacted by the official photographer, Grad Images, 1-800-424-3686, for an opportunity to order. DVDs of the graduation ceremony will be available for purchase from the official videographer, SONBURST Productions. 

More information can be found here

Memorable Photo of Graduating Seniors

Interested in submitting a favorite memorable photo and well wishes of your graduating senior to be displayed at the Baccalaureate Service? details from the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Accommodations

Handicap parking is available on campus. There will be signs posted and volunteers available to shuttle those who need it between the lots and the Commencement site. The college does not provide wheelchairs or walkers for guests. If you are in need of handicap seating for Commencement, please contact Pat Traynor (traynor@macalester.edu or 651-696-6220). You are limited to two tickets per family for special seating. A sign language interpreter is available for anyone needing this service.