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Schedule of Events

Please note that some dates and times are subject to change.

Detailed information about Senior Week activities can be found on the Senior Week webpage.

*Notes that due to programmatic or space constraints, this program is reserved for our graduating seniors

Monday
May 6, 2024

Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Last Lecture
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Senior Bingo*
8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons


Tuesday
May 7, 2024

Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Senior Class Social*
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Bateman Plaza / Great Lawn


Wednesday
May 8, 2024

Student Athlete Commencement (tentative)
Time TBD
Leonard Center Hall of Fame Room

Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Lavender Graduation
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

RSVPs required; please submit this form no later than May 1 at noon if you are interested in attending.

Last Supper
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Café Mac

Senior Class Night at the Science Museum of MN*
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Science Museum of MN


Thursday
May 9, 2024

Commencement Rehearsal and Class Photo*
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Leonard Center Fieldhouse

Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

International Graduate Reception
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

By invitation. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending.


Friday
May 10, 2024

Commencement Information Table and Volunteer Check-in
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Campus Center – 2nd level

Phi Beta Kappa Induction
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel

Zero Waste Picnic
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Café Mac, Campus Center

The entire Macalester campus community is invited to a campus-wide, zero-waste picnic. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required for everyone who plans on attending. This helps us ensure that we have enough food for all and are prepared for any special dietary needs. 

Register here.

Outdoor seating will be available on the Great Lawn, weather permitting.

Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Rites of Passage
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Graduating seniors who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) should RSVP here by April 15 to participate.

Community members who would like to attend should RSVP here no later than Monday, May 6.

Academic Department Receptions
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Various locations across campus

Academic departments hold receptions for majors, minors, and students connected to the department to celebrate their extraordinary work.

Academic Department Reception Schedule and Locations (PDF)

Marking the Moment
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Chapel

At Macalester the Chaplains of the College partner with graduating seniors to co-create a ritual of farewell to the moments, memories and milestones that have been part of the Macalester journey. At Marking the Moment you can expect a gracious space where senior voices bring memories to the fore. Graduates will be showered with words of hope from our staff & faculty. This event is open to all graduates, guests, staff and faculty; you can expect this event to run for approximately 45 minutes. Uniquely Macalester, this moment is a creative reimagination of traditional Baccalaureate services. A gift will be provided for all graduating seniors.

Commencement Shabbat Gathering
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Chapel Lawn

Graduating seniors, bring your friends, families, and guests for one final gathering with Macalester’s Jewish community.  We’ll have time to connect, share stories, sing, and have a bite of challah together as we celebrate your commencement.  Questions?  Email Rabbi Emma: [email protected]

Music Seniors in Recital
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mairs Concert Hall


Saturday
May 11, 2024

Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Café Mac, Campus Center

The entire Macalester campus community is invited to a campus-wide continental breakfast. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required for everyone who plans on attending. This helps us ensure that we have enough food for all and are prepared for any special dietary needs. 

Register here.

Outdoor seating will be available on the Great Lawn, weather permitting.

Honoring the Journey
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mairs Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Honoring the Journey is a special gathering that honors the families of those who are amongst the first generation in their family to graduate from college. Graduating first generation seniors will have an opportunity to acknowledge those who have supported their journey as a first generation college student. RSVPs required to participate.  Please RSVP using this form no later than Friday, April 12.

Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Questions?  Email Ruth Janisch [email protected] or Sedric McClure [email protected] 

Senior Class Line Up
9:45 a.m.
Alumni Gym, Leonard Center

Commencement Ceremony
10:30 a.m.
Macalester Stadium (inclement weather location: Leonard Center Fieldhouse)

All guests must have a ticket to attend the Commencement Ceremony. (Exception: Any child under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may attend without a ticket.)

The Registration and Ticket Request Form for the May 2024 Commencement ceremony has closed. Students who registered by the deadline received an email on February 27 with their ticket status. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about your registration or ticket status.

Simulcast of Commencement Ceremony
10:30 a.m.
Hall of Fame Room, Leonard Center

Senior Art Show
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

Rental Robe Return
Directly after the Commencement Ceremony
Scotty’s – Leonard Center

Post Commencement Reception
Directly after the Commencement Ceremony
Shaw Field (inclement weather location: Café Mac, Campus Center)

African Music Ensemble Performance
Directly after the Commencement Ceremony
McLaughlin Plaza (weather permitting)

Lunch on your own