Commencement FAQ

Yes, registration is required to participate and to claim tickets.

The registration and ticket request form for the 2026 ceremony has closed.

• If you registered for tickets, you will receive your guest tickets by email a few days before Commencement. You are responsible for forwarding tickets to your guests.
• Email [email protected] if you have questions about your registration or ticket status.

Yes, all guests must have a ticket to attend the ceremony in the Field House. (Exception: Any child under two years of age, not occupying a seat, may attend without a ticket and therefore not count towards a graduate’s guest ticket limit.)

The registration and ticket request form for the 2026 ceremony has closed.

• If you registered for tickets, you will receive your guest tickets by email a few days before Commencement. You are responsible for forwarding tickets to your guests.
• Seniors may email [email protected] if they have questions about their registration or ticket status.
• Although the Field House has a capacity limit, we welcome additional guests who do not have Field House tickets to campus to participate in the celebratory events before and after the graduation ceremony. Guests without Field House tickets can view a livestream of the ceremony in the JBD Lecture Hall, Campus Center Lower Level.

Please note that all ticket requests are handled directly with graduates. Family and friends may not request tickets independently.

Pre-ordered cap and gown orders will arrive in The Highlander a week or two ahead of commencement. Watch for an email and notices in the Mac Daily when they are available for pick up.

The Highlander will have extra robes available if you missed the ordering window. All late orders are on a first come, first served basis, and sizes are not guaranteed.

Please contact the Highlander Bookstore ([email protected]) with any questions about caps and gowns.

Caps and gowns are not required to participate in the commencement ceremony.

All December and January graduates, May candidates, and other candidates who are within eight credits of completing requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony.

Questions about credits and eligibility should be directed to the Registrar’s office at [email protected].

Seniors will receive periodic emails regarding Commencement and other year-end activities. Please read all emails carefully to make sure you are aware of events, due dates and registration deadlines.

Seniors should log into their Graduate Hub to keep track of Commencement and Senior Week events, registrations and tasks.

Students will receive information from the Student Accounts Office throughout the spring semester reminding them to clear any balance due on their account that could prevent them from receiving their diploma. Graduates who have a balance due may participate in commencement but might not receive their diploma or transcripts until the financial obligation to the college has been met.

Email [email protected] with questions.

Yes, we will live stream the May Commencement ceremony. The link for the live stream will be posted on our main Commencement webpage prior to the event. We will also post a link to the recording shortly after the ceremony.

Due to space limitations in our Field House our commencement is a ticketed event.

To prioritize the ticket needs of our graduating seniors, their families and friends, and our campus community, we are unable to release any tickets to the general public.

In fairness to the candidates for degrees and other members of the audience, we thank you for keeping the area in front of the stage clear during the ceremony.

Arrangements have been made to engage a professional photographer to take pictures of the degree recipients as they receive their diplomas.

The professional photographer will mail proofs from which prints may be ordered to the graduate’s home address. You may contact GradImages at gradimages.com or 1-800-261-2576 to have proofs emailed.

No, at Macalester, we allow graduates to select their own seats for the commencement ceremony. This seat selection happens at the commencement rehearsal. 

We will provide a seating chart via a QR code so that family and friends will know when their graduate will be crossing the stage.

No, with the exception of reserved seats for those who have requested accessible seating in advance.

Doors to the Field House will open at 9:00 a.m.

Macalester College strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.

We will provide accessible seating for access for individuals with disabilities with specific accommodation needs. To prioritize this seating, there is a limit of two (2) tickets for this area: one for the individual requesting seating and one for a companion to accompany that individual. These two (2) tickets/seats do count toward the graduating senior’s ticket limit.

Captioning will be provided during the Commencement Ceremony.

To request a disability related accommodation or inquire about accessibility please complete this form by April 24, 2026. Once we receive your completed form, you will receive additional information about parking, your assigned seating area and other event information.

Questions? Email [email protected].

Bag Policy: No backpacks, suitcases, or bags larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ will be allowed onsite in the Leonard Center. All bags may be subject to search.

Signs: No signs with wood or metal supports will be allowed in the Leonard Center. Signs which might interfere with other guests’ view of the ceremony must be kept in the back of the Field House.

All campus parking lots will be open to guests, and designated ADA accessible parking spots will be available.

Use 130 Macalester Street, St. Paul, Minnesota for GPS directions to available parking.

See our Interactive Campus Map for details.

At the beginning of spring term, all seniors, as well as faculty and staff, are invited to nominate a senior to give the student address. The selection committee consists of one faculty member, three students and two staff.

The commencement speaker selection rests with the college president. Generally, speakers are selected because their work or activities embody Macalester’s core values; they have a record of outstanding achievement; and/or they have a special connection to Macalester.

The length of our commencement ceremony varies from year to year depending on the number of graduates, the length of speeches, and other factors. Please allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours for the ceremony.

Graduates who have rented robes will be required to return them before they leave campus, so please consider that when making travel plans or restaurant reservations.

Students who believe they qualify for an honor cord or stole should reach out to that academic department or student organization with questions.

Summa cum laude cords will be distributed by Academic Programs and Advising ([email protected]) after final grades are calculated. We do not distribute cords for magna cum laude or cum laude honors.

• The designation of summa cum laude is based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.90
• The designation magna cum laude is based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.80
• The designation cum laude is based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.65