Commencement 2020 Schedule of Events
We encourage and welcome you to join us in celebrating the Class of 2020.
Senior Week
Department Receptions
Senior Poster
Feel free to print and display this Senior Poster in your home, yard or other space, to honor and celebrate the Class of 2020!
Monday, May 11, 2020
12:00 p.m. Class of 2020 Kudo Board
As we celebrate and honor the Class of 2020 and the contributions and light they brought us in their time at Macalester, we want them to hear it from the Macalester community: classmates, students, family, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni! Make a video, add a photo of a memory, or just write a note from the heart. We understand that goodbyes are tough but we hope this will send our graduates off with love and gratitude!
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Lavender Graduation
Join us in flooding social media (primarily Facebook and Instagram) with messages and images of support and celebration for this year’s graduates. We invite faculty, staff, and students to post a personal message of congratulations or to post the Lavender Graduation image. You can post anytime during the day on Wednesday, May 13. When posting, please use #maclavgrad so seniors can follow the hashtag that day and see all of your messages of support.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Friday, May 15, 2020
10:30 AM – 11:00 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa Induction
The Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony will be held via a Zoom webinar. Please join us to celebrate and offer your congratulations to the seniors inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. If you would like to attend the remote ceremony, please register in advance: Phi Beta Kappa Registration The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to join us. Please email piatz@macalester.edu for information on access to the recording of the event.
12:30 p.m. Rites of Passage
Rites of Passage is a celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of graduating students of color. During this presentation, alumni, staff, and students share messages and individual students are recognized. If you would like to attend the remote ceremony, please register in advance: Rites of Passage Registration We invite faculty, staff, and students to post a personal message of congratulations or post the Rites of Passage image. When posting, please use #MacRites2020 so seniors who follow the hashtag can see your messages of support.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
10:30 AM–11:30 a.m. Honoring the Journey
Honoring the Journey is a special gathering that recognizes the unique family contributions of first-generation Macalester graduates. During our ceremony, graduating seniors acknowledge family and friends who supported their journey to graduation as first-generation college students. If you would like to virtually attend, please register in advance: Honoring the Journey Registration After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about viewing the ceremony. Please contact Ruth Janisch (janisch@macalester.edu) or Sedric McClure (mcclure@macalester.edu) for more information, or if you have any questions. For technical assistance, please contact Andrew Benda (abenda@macalester.edu). We invite faculty, staff, and students to post a personal message of congratulations or post the Honoring the Journey image. When posting, please use #MacHTJ2020 so seniors can follow the hashtag that day and see your messages of support.
12:15-12:45 p.m. Marking the Moment: Baccalaureate
Mark the Moment with an inclusive spiritual grounding that moves us to find connection across the human family. A highlight of this gathering is Senior Memories, a compilation of reflections that invite us to remember right along with seniors. Hosted by the Macalester Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, all are warmly welcome. If you would like to attend, please register in advance: Marking the Moment: Baccalaureate Registration Marking the Moment program (PDF)
1:30 p.m. Commencement
If you would like to attend the remote ceremony, please register in advance: Commencement Registration via Zoom. For those watching Commencement via Facebook Live, the Facebook Live player will be embedded on the Commencement website. Facebook users will also be able to watch the live stream within Facebook itself, as one would with any Facebook Live video. You’ll be able to find it on the Macalester Facebook page. 2020 Commencement Program (PDF)