St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure University's 164th

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 12, 2024
Reilly Center Arena


Delta CEO Ed Bastian, '79, to give keynote address

Mullen and BastianDelta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, a 1979 St. Bonaventure University graduate, will be the keynote speaker at this year's Commencement. A 25-year Delta veteran, Bastian has been a leader in Delta’s long-term strategy and a champion of putting Delta’s shared values of honesty, integrity, respect, perseverance and servant leadership at the core of every decision.

Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., will receive an honorary doctorate at the ceremony. The former Siena College president (2007-2014) was, since 2014, the provincial minister of Holy Name Province until it merged with five other U.S. Franciscan provinces to become the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in October 2023. A trustee of St. Bonaventure since 2014, his term on SBU’s board expires this spring. Read the complete news release.

 
Guide for Graduates

Information degree candidates need to ensure a smooth journey to Commencement.

 

 

 
Commencement FAQs

Information of interest to graduates' parents and guests at Commencement.

 

 


Schedule of events

Below is a tentative schedule of events and activities leading up to Commencement Exercises. All events are subject to change. Please return to this site often for updates.


Tuesday, April 23
5:40-6 p.m.
DePerro School of Health Professions Honors and Awards Ceremony 
Location: University Chapel, Doyle Hall
Invitees: Seniors and faculty by invitation only
Ceremony will be livestreamed
 

Monday, April 29
12:30-1:30 p.m.
School of Arts and Sciences Honors and Awards Ceremony
Location: Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: Seniors and faculty by invitation only
Ceremony will be livestreamed
 

Tuesday, April 30
5-6:30 p.m.
School of Education Honors and Awards Ceremony
Location: Doyle Conference Room
Invitees: Seniors and faculty by invitation only
Ceremony will be livestreamed
 

Wednesday, May 1
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Jandoli School of Communication Honors and Awards Ceremony
Location:  Doyle Conference Room
Invitees: Seniors and faculty by invitation only
Ceremony will be livestreamed
 
5-6 p.m.
School of Business Honors and Awards Ceremony
Location:  Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: Seniors and faculty by invitation only
Ceremony will be livestreamed
 

Friday, May 3
2-4 p.m.
Alumni Launch Party
Representatives of various campus offices come together to help ensure that seniors meet all requirements to graduate. There will be an opportunity to contribute to the senior class gift. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Location: The Rathskeller
 

Tuesday, May 7
4 p.m.
Evening Away at Mt. Irenaeus
Invitees:
Students who registered to participate
 
6:30-8 p.m.
Senior Athletes Banquet
Location:
Doyle Conference Center
Invitees:
Senior athletes and other staff
 

Wednesday, May 8

5-7 p.m.
Senior Picnic
Location: Marchiori Pavilion 
Invitees: Seniors only — must show wristband
 

Thursday, May 9
4-5:30 p.m.
Faculty/Staff/Senior Reception
Location: Front lawn of Hickey Dining Hall
Invitees: Faculty, staff and seniors
 
5:30-7 p.m.
Senior Banquet and Slideshow
Location: Hickey Dining Hall
Invitees: Seniors
 
7-9 p.m.
Senior Night Out
Location: Rathskeller & Marchiori Pavilion
Invitees:
Students who registered to participate
 

Friday, May 10
10-11 a.m.
Multicultural Stole Ceremony Rehearsal
Location: Reilly Center Arena
 
11 a.m.-noon
Baccalaureate Mass Rehearsal
Location:
Reilly Center Arena
 
1-2 p.m.
Commencement Rehearsal
Location:
Reilly Center Arena
 
3-4 p.m.
ROTC Military Science Commissioning Ceremony
Location: Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: Senior cadets and families
 
6-8 p.m.
University Ministries Prayer Recognition and Reception
Location: University Chapel & Doyle Conference Center 
Invitees: Students and families by invitation
 
8:45 p.m.
26th Annual Candlelight Induction Ceremony and Fireworks
Location: Plassmann/Swan Quad 
Invitees: Seniors, families and the SBU community
 
10 p.m.
Nerds Gone Wild*/Family Social
Location: Hickey Dining Hall and Rathskeller
Invitees: Seniors, families and the SBU community
*Nerds Gone Wild is a party band that presents an award-winning '80s music show.
 

Saturday, May 11
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Multicultural Stole Ceremony
Location: Reilly Center Arena followed by reception at Hickey
Invitees: Students, families and the SBU community
 
1-2 p.m.
Physician Assistant Studies Long Coat Ceremony
Location: Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Invitees: Students, families and the SBU community 
 
4-5 p.m.
Baccalaureate Mass
Location: Reilly Center Arena
Invitees: Students, families and the SBU community
 

Sunday, May 12
10:30 a.m.
164th Annual Commencement Exercises
Location: Reilly Center Arena
Invitees: Students, families, faculty, staff & the SBU community: All guests must have electronic tickets.
Event will be livestreamed