2025 Schedule of Events

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Hear from the Macalester Community about the truly incredible impact you’ve made in your time at Macalester. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni will lend their voice to the impact you’ve made, the waves you continue to make and journey you have before you.

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Weyerhaeuser Chapel

Seniors, how are you saying goodbye to Mac? Falling at the start of senior week, Marking the Moment is an inclusive dinner and ritual space that holds room for shared reflection with your classmates. We’ll hold space for what has been, what will linger, and what you’ll take with you. We’ll gather around tables for a spacious meal, with reflective conversation prompts. You’ll leave with a gift to take light with you on the way.

Please RSVP so we have the right food.

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Stop by for your last official game of bingo at Macalester with your classmates.  Prizes for each round will be worth up to $100!

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Bateman Plaza and Great Lawn

Join your classmates for an evening of food, music and celebration outside the Campus Center. In the event of inclement weather, this event will move indoors to the Campus Center.

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Lavender Ceremony is an annual celebration hosted by the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice in honor of Macalester’s LGBTQIA2S+ graduates.

Lavender Ceremony Graduating Senior RSVP – Seniors: Please register by May 2nd

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Café Mac, Campus Center

Enjoy a final meal in Café Mac with selected favorites from your time at Macalester!

Co-Hosted by Bon Appétit

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Time 10:00 a.m.

Rehearsal: Leonard Center Field House

Photo: Alumni Gym, immediately following the rehearsal

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Weyerhaeuser Chapel

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Café Mac and Great Lawn

Your registration will help us prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages. There is no cost to attend this breakfast.

Zero Waste Picnic Registration Link 

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Rites of Passage is an annual ceremony hosted by the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice, which centers, recognizes, and honors the contributions of Macalester’s BIPOC graduating students and their families and friends.

Rites of Passage Graduating Senior RSVP – Seniors: Please register by May 2nd.

Rites of Passage Campus Community RSVP  – Campus Community: Please register by May 12th.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Various locations on campus

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

List of 2025 Department Receptions (pdf)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Chapel Garden Level

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.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Mairs Concert Hall

Immediately followed by the Music Department Reception.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Café Mac

Your registration will help us prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages. There is no cost to attend this breakfast.

Continental Breakfast Registration Link

7:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Mairs Concert Hall

Celebration honoring families of first generation graduates.

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

10:30 a.m.

Leonard Center Fieldhouse

Doors will open at 9:00am.

Reception with light snacks immediately following the ceremony.

Immediately following the ceremony

Café Mac – Campus Center

Reception with light snacks.

Entertainment by Macalester’s African Music Ensemble.