CONGRATULATIONS!
Your graduation from Siena Heights University is within sight! We look forward to celebrating with you at Commencement 2024 on campus in Adrian, MI. This page includes important commencement information and the registration form for graduates from all Siena Heights locations. Eligible graduates (undergraduate and graduate) are those who graduated in August and December 2023, May 2024, and those who anticipate graduating in August 2024.
If you have not completed your academic requirements for graduation yet but would like to request early participation in commencement, then please submit the commencement early participation form before ordering tickets.
CALENDAR OF ALL EVENTS:
- February 21—Order commencement regalia from the SHU Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
Place online regalia orders here. - April 15—11:59 p.m. Deadline for commencement ticket ordering and having your name printed in the commencement program, commencement regalia ordering, Kente and Torch Night ceremony reservations, and handicapped seating arrangements.
- April 26—Honors Convocation, 2:00 p.m., Spencer Performing Arts Center Theater.
- April 26—Torch Night ceremony, 6:00 p.m., St. Dominic Chapel.
Register for Torch Night online here. - May 3—Pinning Ceremony for nursing students graduating from SHU, 6:00 p.m., Holy Rosary Chapel.
- May 4—Commencement Day in Adrian:
- Baccalaureate Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Dominic Chapel. All are welcome!
Register for Baccalaureate Mass here. - Kente Ceremony for SHU African American graduates, 11:00 a.m., St. Dominic Chapel.
Register for Kente online here. - SHU Barnes & Noble Bookstore open, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Brunch, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., McLaughlin University Center Dining Hall.
- SHU Global meet and greet advisors, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Erickson Enrollment Building.
- Line-up for academic procession, 1:00 p.m. in Trinity Gardens.
- Commencement narration begins at 1:50 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.
- Academic procession begins at 2:00 p.m.
- Baccalaureate Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Dominic Chapel. All are welcome!
- May 29—Diplomas mailed to graduates by Registrar’s Office.
COMMENCEMENT:
Commencement is Saturday, May 4, at 2:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse on the SHU main campus in Adrian, MI. This ceremony will recognize degree candidates from all Siena Heights locations.
Line formation will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Trinity Gardens next to Achangelus Hall. Caps and gowns should be worn to the lineup. Hoods should be carried over students’ left arms and tassels on the right side of caps. Bring a safety pin or hairpin in case of emergency. Commencement narration begins at 1:50 p.m. in the Fieldhouse and academic procession begins promptly at 1:50 p.m. If you arrive after the ceremony has already started, you will be placed in the back row of graduates and walk up to the platform after the last group.
Doors for guests will open at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are required for all guests attending the commencement ceremony. The ceremony should end by approximately 4:30 p.m. No loud bells, horns, whistles etc. will be permitted during the ceremony
If you have any questions please email Conni Marquez or call (517) 264-7103.
Attention Graduates: 2024 Countdown to Commencement will take place on February 26 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in Rueckert Auditorium or via Teams. Countdown – If you missed the Countdown to Commencement meeting, a recording can be viewed here and the presentation can be downloaded here.
TICKETS:
Tickets are free but you must order your tickets before April 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Up to eight (8) guest tickets are available for each participating graduate. A single ticket specifically for graduates walking in the ceremony will be available when you check in for Commencement on May 4.
You must fill out the ticket registration form to the right before April 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. in order to reserve guest tickets, walk in the commencement ceremony, and have your name printed in the commencement program.
Every guest (even babies) must have a ticket to attend the Commencement ceremony. Any remaining guest tickets will be available on a first-come first-served basis on May 4 in the will-call tent outside the Fieldhouse. Extra tickets (beyond 8) will not be available before May 4.
All Adrian undergraduate guest tickets will be available for pickup beginning April 17 in the Registrar Office, Sacred Heart Hall, Room 207. Pickup times are Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All SHU Global guest tickets will be mailed out after April 15 to the address provided on the registration form. When filling out the ticket registration form, be sure to include the complete address to which you would like your guest tickets to be mailed.
If you have any questions regarding tickets, please email Conni Marquez or call (517) 264-7103.
REGALIA:
Commencement regalia can be purchased online or in the bookstore at SHU’s main campus in Adrian prior to the ceremony. Place online regalia orders here. Online orders must be placed before April 7. Packages are available with a gown, hood, cap, and tassel or you can purchase items individually.
Academic Honor Cords will be available this year for Siena Graduates. The Academic Honor cords are navy & gold and represent the three academic honors: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. The Cords are $18.98 and will be available for purchase at the SHU Bookstore March 5. If you have completed all your requirements for graduation, your academic honors will be announced at commencement and will be included in the program next to your name. Honors listed in the program and read on stage will be based on grade records as of April 2024. They will not be official until the registrar office receives all the second semester grades.
When you submit your request for commencement tickets, it will trigger the process for registrar office to verify your academic standing.
It is important that you know your degree and major when placing your cap and gown order. Your hood color is based on the degree you will be receiving. If you have questions regarding your degree, please contact your advisor for clarification.
Degree:
- BBA – light brown
- BFA – dark brown
- BA – white
- BS – bright yellow
- BAS – bright yellow
- Nursing – apricot
- Social Work – dark gold
- Masters – black, white, navy & gold
DIPLOMAS:
You will receive only the diploma cover when crossing the platform. The Office of Records and Registration will mail diplomas after graduation requirements are complete and obligations to the University have been met. Once all requirements and obligations are met, diplomas will be mailed May 29. To ensure timely delivery of your diploma, be sure to confirm your correct mailing address through your MYSIENA account. If your address needs to be corrected, please email the Registrar’s Office or call (517) 264-7120.
Note: name changes must be documented with the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will not mail documents to an SHU campus mailbox unless it is your legal mailing address. If you live in an apartment that is not your legal address, or if you will be leaving at the end of April, notify the Registrar’s Office at (517) 264-7120 of where to send your diploma.
Also note: Master of Arts diplomas do not specify the program area in which they are earned. Students completing a second concentration or major at the graduate level may participate in commencement if they choose; however, a second diploma will not be issued.
LIVE STREAMING:
A live stream of the commencement ceremony will be available at 1:45 p.m. on May 4. Look for a link here, on social media, and in the announcements a few days before commencement.
ACADEMIC HONORS:
If you qualify for academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) and you have completed all requirements for graduation, your honors will be announced at Commencement and listed in the program. Honors listed in the program and read on stage will be based on grade records as of April 2024 and will not be official until all second semester grades are received. Note: Information about academic honors will not be available before Commencement.
GRADUATE PHOTOGRAPHS:
In order to minimize the need for taking pictures at the time diplomas are presented, a professional photographer from Graduation Foto will be taking a picture of each graduate receiving their diploma. A registration card with a QR code and instructions will be given to each graduate at the ceremony instructing them to register online. Graduates will receive proofs via email a few days after Commencement with purchase information and pricing.
Family and friends may take pictures and video from their seats. Note: Tripods are NOT permitted. We ask that guests do NOT approach the stage from any direction to take pictures during the ceremony. Graduates and their guests may return to the stage after the ceremony for additional pictures. Make sure batteries and power packs are charged ahead of time.
BOOKSTORE HOURS:
The SHU Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Adrian will be open every day during the week of commencement from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The bookstore has a wide selection of Siena Heights University memorabilia in stock. Also, for your convenience, the bookstore has diploma frames and class rings available to order.
COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION BRUNCH:
A Commencement Brunch will be available for all graduates and guests in the McLaughlin University Center Dining Hall from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
A wide variety of breakfast and lunch entrees will be served including: kielbasa with peppers and onions, potatoes O’Brien, biscuits and gravy, French toast, omelet bar, beef lasagna, cheese tortellini with alfredo, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, garlic bread, carving station with delicious meats, salad bar with assorted options, beverage station with Coke products, juices, coffee, and a dessert bar with assorted options.
The cost is $13 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 5-12. Children ages 5 and under are free. Please make reservations for parties of 6 or more by calling (517) 264-7168. Cash, credit card, and checks will be accepted at the door.
KENTE CEREMONY:
The Kente program was initiated at Siena Heights in 1992 by members of the main campus group SHAAKA, the Siena Heights African American Knowledge Association. Those African American students, now alumni, established the ceremony to honor their heritage, recognize the challenges of pursuing and completing a college education, and motivate undergraduates of color to persist in their studies through to graduation.
The goals of the Kente program are the same today, but the program now embraces and recognizes graduates of African descent from all SHU sites and programs. On the main campus, SHAAKA has evolved into the student group Black Student Union.
Kente stoles are woven in Ghana, where Kente cloth was originally the cloth of kings and queens. The stoles represent the pride of perseverance, the honor of the accomplishment, and the importance of remembering your roots. Today’s bachelor’s degree (blue) stoles are embroidered with the ram’s horn, symbolizing humility and strength, wisdom, and learning. The master’s degree (black) stoles carry the symbol of lifelong learning and the continued quest for knowledge.
Hispanic and Latino/a/x graduates are also recognized during the Kente ceremony. Students are given a Serape stole to wear. These stoles are worn to show pride in their culture and to represent the challenges and accomplishments of earning a college degree.
The Kente ceremony will take place in St. Dominic Chapel on Saturday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m. Register for Kente online here. The deadline for reservations is April 16. If you have any questions, contact Tichina Jones or call (517) 264-7606.
BACCALAUREATE MASS:
In the Catholic Dominican tradition, we invite all graduating seniors and their families to thank God with a Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 4 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Dominic Chapel.
The meaning of the word Baccalaureate is “sermon to the graduates.” This year’s preacher and presider is Fr. Michael Newman OSFS, Siena Heights’ chaplain and pastor of Holy Family Parish, Adrian Michigan. In addition, the Siena Heights Chamber Singers will be leading the worship music that day.
Please register yourself, family and guests to attend the service. There is no limit to the number of people to invite. Register for Baccalaureate Mass online here. We need to get an approximate number of attendees, but all are welcome to Baccalaureate Mass including those who are not registered.
SPECIAL SEATING NEEDS OR ASSISTANCE:
Guests who require special seating or assistance because of a handicap or advanced pregnancy should call (517) 264-7103 to arrange for special seating. All requests must be submitted by April 15, 2024.
Guests with walker or wheelchair: Handicap seating is reserved for guests with walkers or wheelchairs and up to four people accompanying them. Guests who have arranged handicapped seating should enter the Fieldhouse at the east entrance and stop by the table there. This entrance is adjacent to the handicapped parking area.
Guests without walker or wheelchair: If needed, a helper with a wheelchair will be available at the east entrance to the Fieldhouse to transport your guest to any seat in the Fieldhouse before the ceremony—and then out to a chair on the lawn after the ceremony.
Graduates: Graduates who need assistance can be pre-seated if necessary, and/or use our ADA-approved handicapped ramp to receive their diploma. Please visit the Campus Nurse in Ledwidge Hall, room 180, for details or call 517-264-7190.
Parking: For those with a state issued handicap-parking tag, there is parking on the east side of the Fieldhouse. Be prepared to show plate or tag to officers at intersections and lot entrances. Others may ride the golf cart shuttles to the Fieldhouse.
COMMENCEMENT FLOWERS:
Floral bouquets and commemorative class t-shirts with all the graduates’ names will be available for purchase on-site at commencement! Pre-order in advance to secure color, size, quantity and allow for convenient pick-up on the day of!
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING:
The Siena Heights address is: 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan 49221. The following maps will help guide you to campus:
To assist our students and guests with entering and exiting the Adrian campus efficiently, traffic heading east on Siena Heights Drive will be directed to the following parking lots: West Fieldhouse, Dominican & Performing Arts, and Addison Street Fairgrounds. Traffic heading west on Siena Heights Drive will be directed to the following parking lots: Adrian Dominican Motherhouse and the Siena Heights Drive Fairground entrance. Shuttles will be available for transportation to and from the Fieldhouse. Adjacent parking fills up quickly, so please allow plenty of time. All exiting traffic will be directed out the same direction as it entered. Handicapped parking will be available in the parking lot east of the Fieldhouse. A state issued handicapped permit is required to enter, and should be displayed to the officer directing traffic. For any special assistance with parking, please contact John Fleenor at (517) 264-7194.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What time should I be at the Fieldhouse before the commencement ceremony?
Students should arrive no later than 1:00 p.m. at the check-in table in front of Trinity Gardens to make sure they are in proper order in the procession line. In the event of inclement weather, the check-in tables will be set up in the Fieldhouse. Students will receive a call/photograph information card. Call cards are color coded and list the name and degree type. Please keep the call cards on you at all times. Caps and gowns should also be worn to the line-up. Hoods should be carried over students’ left arm and tassel on the left side of caps. Bring a safety pin/hairpin in case of emergency. Once you enter the line-up, we ask that you remain in line. Marshals will be on site to assist with line up assignments.
What time should my guests arrive at the Fieldhouse?
Guests will be admitted to the Fieldhouse at 1:00 p.m. Allow 20-30 minutes for parking and walking. Every guest (even babies!) must have a ticket to enter the Fieldhouse. No loud bells, horns, whistles etc. will be permitted during the ceremony.
What should I wear?
Early May weather is usually pleasant, but the Fieldhouse is NOT air conditioned, so dress for the weather. You may need to walk or stand a great deal, so comfortable shoes probably are a better idea than high heels and boots.
Is food allowed in the Fieldhouse?
Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase at the Fieldhouse snack bar prior to the ceremony.
What about smoking?
Siena Heights University is a Smoke Free Campus. Smoking is not allowed in any Siena Heights building or on the SHU campus grounds.
After the ceremony, are there places to eat in the area?
Yes! For a complete list of dining options, check out the Visit Lenawee website.
Whom do I call—about anything?
If you have more questions, try one of these numbers for help:
- Registrar’s Office: (517) 264-7120
- Barnes and Noble Bookstore: (517) 264-7911
- Handicap Guest/Seating: (517) 264-7600
- Student Accounts: (517) 264-7110
- Torch Night Reservations: (517) 264-7192
- Financial Aid Office: (517) 264-7130
- Kente Information: (517) 264-7606
- Public Safety Office: (517) 264-7194
- Tickets: (517) 264-7120
CONSIDER LEAVING YOUR LEGACY
Class of 2024, consider leaving your legacy and making an impact on future Saints!
Gifts of any size can be designated to support what you love about SHU and can be made in honor of those graduating.
Registration for Commencement is closed.