Commencement
A Time-Honored Tradition
Spalding University’s commencement tradition began when Henry Clay presented a diploma to the first graduate of Nazareth Academy, founded and operated by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Today, commencement is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our students to obtain their degrees. Typically, Commencement takes place the first Saturday of June each year. For our 2024 Celebration, we will host a series of smaller, in-person ceremonies by academic discipline on Thursday, May 30; Friday, May 31; and Saturday, June 1.
1924
Spalding graduated its first class from the Louisville campus.
2024
Commencement will take place in smaller ceremonies on May 30, May 31 and June 1.
Ceremony Schedule
Our commencement ceremonies are open to our undergraduate and graduate degree recipients. Doors will open 45 minutes before the start of each scheduled ceremony. Guests should check in with one of the clerks stationed in the entry lobby, and ushers will direct them to available seating. Graduates will walk at the ceremony listed for their academic discipline and can contact their academic advisor or program director with any questions.
Thursday, May 30th
4:00 PM
School of Social Work
Columbia Gym Auditorium
6:00 PM
Reception and Recognition of Caritas Medalist and Honorary Degree Recipients
College Street Cafe
Friday, May 31st
1:00 PM
School of Business + School of Liberal Arts + School of Criminal Justice Studies
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Professional Psychology
Columbia Gym Auditorium
6:00 PM
Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing
The Brown Hotel
Saturday, June 1st
1:00 PM
College of Education + School of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
Kosair for Kids College of Health & Natural Sciences (Athletic Training, Health Science, Natural Science, & Nursing)
Columbia Gym Auditorium
Information for Graduates
Applications Due April 26th
The deadline to apply for graduation is 8:00 AM on Friday, April 26th. Any prospective graduate must apply for graduation, regardless of whether or not he/she plans to attend Commencement in person. To apply for graduation:
- Log in to the Spalding Portal (my.spalding.edu)
- Under Quick Links, click on “Academic Links”
- Click on Application for Graduation
- The link to complete the Exit Loan Counseling is at the bottom of the page. If you have questions about the Exit Loan Counseling process, please email [email protected].
Contact Jennifer Gohmann, Registrar, for questions about applying for graduation: [email protected].
Ticketing
Each graduate will be provided six (6) guest tickets for viewing the ceremonies in person, and all ceremonies will be streamed live. Ticketing will be managed by Student Affairs.
Ordering Tickets
- Email Dr. Erica Gray, Dean of Students ([email protected])
- Include your major in the subject line
- In the body of the email, indicate the number of allocated tickets (between 1-6 tickets) you are wanting to claim. If you are requesting additional tickets, state the number of tickets (beyond the 6 allotted) you wish to request.
- Please be aware that additional tickets are NOT guaranteed and are dependent upon available space
- Please note there are no physical tickets
Contact Dr. Erica Gray ([email protected]) for questions about tickets.
Live Streaming
All six ceremonies will be streamed live. Links will be available here on the day of Commencement.
Regalia
It is important for graduates to make plans now for ordering commencement regalia — including caps and gowns — and announcements. Spalding’s Campus Store will be handling orders through Jostens. The deadline for ordering regalia is Wednesday, April 24.
If you have questions about ordering regalia, please contact Contact Alisa Peach, Campus Store Manager:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 585-7108
Accessibility Concerns
To ask questions about accessibility or to request accommodations for commencement, please contact Katherine Walker-Payne at (502) 873-4192 or [email protected]. At least two weeks’ advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.