St. Bonaventure University

2026 Senior Week & Commencement Events


Beginning May 16-17, 2026, St. Bonaventure will host separate Commencement ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students in the Reilly Center Arena — noon on Saturday for graduate students and 10 a.m. Sunday for undergraduates.

This new format eliminates ticket limits, allows all graduates to be honored together each May, and expands the weekend to include new and reimagined traditions — including a campus-wide Honors and Awards Ceremony and a Grad Student Alumni Launch Party on May 15. 

Below is a tentative schedule of events and activities leading up to Commencement Exercises. All events are subject to change. Students should look for a Senior Week schedule in their emails closer to May.

Seniors eligible for graduation will be provided information about securing tickets for commencement well in advance of the event. Commencement exercises will be livestreamed. 

Please return to this site often for updates.
 

Friday, May 8, 2026
2-4 p.m.
Undergraduate Alumni Launch Party 
Location: Rathskeller
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
5-7 p.m.
Senior Picnic
Location: Marchiori Pavilion
Thursday, May 14, 2026
4-5:30 p.m.
Faculty/Staff/Senior Reception
Location: Doyle Courtyard (Rain location is Rathskeller)
Invitees: Faculty, staff and graduating students only

5:30-7 p.m.
Senior Banquet and Slideshow
Location: Doyle Conference Center
Invitees: Graduating students only

7-9 p.m.
Senior Night
Location: Rathskeller
Invitees: Graduating students only


Friday, May 15, 2026
3-4:30 p.m.
Physician Assistant Studies White Coat Ceremony
Location: Rigas Theater - Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: By invitation only

5:30-7 p.m.
Honors and Awards Ceremony
Location: Reilly Center Arena
Invitees: By invitation only

7-8:15 p.m.
Graduate Student Alumni Launch Party
Location: Rathskeller

8:45 p.m.
Annual Alumni Candlelight Induction Ceremony and Fireworks
Location: Plassmann/Swan Quad 
Invitees: Open to all graduating students, families and the SBU community

Immediately following
Nerds Gone Wild*/Family Social
Location: Hickey Dining Hall and Rathskeller
Invitees: Open to all graduating students, families and the SBU community
*Nerds Gone Wild is a party band that presents an award-winning '80s music show.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10-11 a.m.
University Ministries Prayer Recognition and Reception
Location: University Chapel, Doyle Hall 
Invitees: By invitation only

Noon-1:30 p.m.
Graduate Studies Commencement Ceremony
Location: Reilly Center Arena

1-3 p.m.
Commencement Weekend Picnic
Location: Hickey Dining Hall and Outdoors

2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Multicultural Stole Ceremony
Location: Rigas Theater - Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: Open to all graduating students, families and the SBU community

4-5 p.m.
Baccalaureate Mass
Location: Reilly Center Arena
Invitees: Open to all graduating students, families and the SBU community

Sunday, May 17, 2026
10 a.m.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
Location: Reilly Center Arena

2-4 p.m.
ROTC Military Science Commissioning Ceremony
Location: Rigas Theater - Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: By invitation only


Event Information
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