Events

Commencement Weekend

General Information


Commencement 2013

Commencement ceremonies for the 2012-2013 academic year will be held on the front lawn at 10:30 a.m. on May 12. In case of rain, Commencement will be held in the Francis Scott Key Auditorium, where admission will be by ticket only and limited to immediate family of the graduates. The 2013 Commencement speaker is Dr. James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features. His credits in the film industry also include the screenplay for The Ice Storm and producer for Brokeback Mountain. He is a professor at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where he teaches film history and theory.

Correction: Please note that the Spring Calendar of Events listed an incorrect date for Commencement 2013. The correct date is May 12, 2013.

→ 2013 Schedule of Events

Speech Archive


Hotel Information for St. John's College Commencement

We recommend making reservations as early as possible. Please consider staying at one of the accommodations listed on our St. John's College Business Friends page. These businesses support the college and frequently offer discounts to the St. John's College community. See also the visitor's bureau of Annapolis.

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Transportation from BWI Airport/Train Station

BWI Super Shuttle: 800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com
The Airport Shuttle: 800-776-0323 or www.theairportshuttle.com

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Disability Access

What if I have a family member with special needs?
Please call the Assistant Dean’s Office at 410-626-2512 to make special arrangements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when will the Commencement ceremony be held?
Commencement is at 10:30 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013.  The ceremony is traditionally held on the Front Lawn where there is plenty of seating for all.

Are there limits to the number of guests who may attend graduation?
We do not officially limit seating for the event. However, if you are planning on bringing more than ten people, please let us know by e-mailing registrar@sjca.edu or by phoning 410-626-2509.

What happens if it rains?
If it rains, the ceremony will be in the Francis Scott Key Auditorium, with limited overflow seating in the FSK Lobby and the Conversation Room in Mellon Hall.  Admission to the auditorium and to overflow seating will be by ticket only.
Each graduate will receive four auditorium and two overflow tickets, for use in the event of rain.  The tickets will be included in the packet containing the commencement invitations.  If you do not need all of the tickets you receive, we ask that you kindly return any unneeded tickets to the Office of the Registrar.  Please note that the tickets are allocated per graduate—we ask the understanding of those with extended or separated families.

How long is the commencement ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately two hours.

Do I need to R.S.V.P. for other events that weekend?
We do not require a formal response for any commencement activities.

Are there invitations for commencement?
Beginning in late March, all students who are preparing to graduate can get up to ten commencement invitations from the Registrar’s Office. If needed, a limited amount of additional invitations may be obtained for an additional charge after April 15.

What events may family and friends attend?
Families and friends of graduating seniors are invited to Class Day Exercises at 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 11th; a reception follows on the Library Plaza.  That evening, the Commencement Waltz crowns the spring social season.  Families and friends of all graduates are also welcome at the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 12th; a reception follows on the Front Lawn. 

What is appropriate dress for commencement ceremonies?
Commencement exercises are held outside on the Front Lawn.  Because of the intensity of the sun, we suggest that you wear sunscreen and/or sun protection. Water will be provided. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Francis Scott Key Auditorium.

Is there a reception following the commencement ceremony?
A reception on the Front Lawn will follow the commencement ceremony.

How do I get photos of the ceremony?
A professional photographer will be at the ceremony taking pictures of each graduate receiving his or her diploma. The group senior class picture and Graduate Institute group picture will be taken in May. The individual and class photos are 8x10" and cost $20 each. If you would like to order any photos, please complete the order form below, attach a check payable to Gary Pierpoint, and mail the form and check to the Registrar’s Office, St. John’s College, PO Box 2800, Annapolis, MD 21404.

Undergraduate Photo Order Form (PDF)
Graduate Institute Photo Order Form (PDF)

Where do we park?
Campus parking is limited.  Handicapped parking is available in most campus lots, and our Public Safety officers set up additional handicapped parking spaces in the Chase Stone parking lot.  You can reserve a handicapped parking space by calling the Assistant Dean’s Office at 410-626-2512.  Beginning at 5:00 pm on Friday, and throughout the weekend, parents and guests may park in all available campus lots, on a first-come, first-served basis.  Free parking is available at the State garage on the corner of St. John’s and Calvert streets on weekends and from 6:00 pm until 6:00 am on weekdays.  The entrance to the garage is on St. John’s Street.  There is also parking for a fee at the Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue, just off Route 50, where a free downtown shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes.

Where may we purchase College memorabilia?
The bookstore will be open on Saturday, May 11th from 10:30am until 5:00pm.  The bookstore will be closed on Sunday, May 12th.

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2013 Schedule of Events

Monday, May 6
6:30 pm
Great Hall
Director’s Reception in honor of the Spring Semester Master’s Degree Candidates

Friday, May 10
6:45 pm
Great Hall
President’s Reception for the Senior Class and Tutors

7:30 pm
Dining Hall
President’s Dinner for the Senior Class and Tutors

Saturday, May 11
2:30 pm
Front Lawn
Rehearsal for Degree Candidates

4:00 pm
Great Hall
Senior Class Day Exercises

5:15 pm
Library Plaza
Reception for Degree Candidates, Families, and Tutors

10:30pm
Great Hall
Waltz Party

Sunday, May 12
10:30 am
Front Lawn
Commencement Ceremony
Reception for Graduates, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and Guests Immediately Following on the Front Lawn

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