University’s 2026 schedule of commencement events and ceremonies
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
University Campus, St. Leo, FL
|
Event |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| ROTC Commissioning |
Marion Bowman Activities Center |
10:00 a.m. |
| Doctoral Hooding Ceremony departmental receptions to follow |
Marion Bowman Activities Center |
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
| Baccalaureate Mass |
Abbey Church |
5:00 p.m. |
| Roaring with Pride: Saint Leo Lions Graduation Reception |
Student Community Center |
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. |
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Florida State Fairgrounds - Tampa, Florida
|
Event |
Time |
|---|---|
| Morning Commencement Ceremony | 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. |
| Afternoon Commencement Ceremony | 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. |
Ceremony assignments, by program and/or locations, will be announced in early spring semester, based on participation rates. Special requests for morning vs. afternoon ceremony cannot be honored at this time. Students who are nearing completion of their degrees should work with their advisors/success coaches and watch their emails regarding the need to complete the Degree Conferral Application, which can be submitted on eLion pending participation eligibility.
Other Important Information:
Graduates and guests may arrive one hour prior to the start of each commencement ceremony and should be seated within 15 minutes of the ceremony start time. Graduates must check in to the Entertainment Hall upon arrival.
Commencement Etiquette:
Please make post commencement plans in accordance with the published ceremony schedule. Each ceremony will be approximately 2-3 hours, celebrating more than 600 graduates at each ceremony. Graduates and guests are expected to attend the ceremony in its entirety; all should remain seated through the conclusion of the ceremony and recessional. We want to give all graduating students and their families the respect and honor deserved.
Tassel – Name Pronunciation Program:
During the spring term, each confirmed graduate participating in the Tampa commencement ceremony will be emailed a request to confirm their degree program information and name. We are asking students to record their name to help us pronounce it correctly at the ceremony. The deadline to complete this registration will be outlined in the email.
Academic Regalia:
Academic regalia is required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Information on how to order your cap and gown will be shared at a later date.
*If your plans have changed and you no longer intend to attend commencement, please notify the Registrar’s Office at commencement@saintleo.edu.
Ceremony Details
What to Bring to the Commencement Ceremony
Be sure to bring your regalia! Academic regalia is required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will require graduates to be on their feet for an extended period, so comfortable shoes are recommended with the academic regalia.
Graduates are permitted to carry a small purse and/or cell phone. Any belongings will need to be kept with the graduate throughout the ceremony. There is not a place to leave, store or secure personal belongings.
What NOT to Bring
Do not bring large bags, laptops, selfie sticks, balloons, air horns or noisemakers. There is not a place to leave, store or secure personal belongings.
Baby carriers and strollers are permitted in the Expo Hall. Please note that this is bleacher-style seating so the stroller will be left unattended. Do not leave valuables with the stroller unattended.
Guest tickets are NOT required for the commencement ceremonies. Seating will not be assigned. Seating is first-come, first-serve basis.
If you or your guests require disability-related accommodations to attend or participate in the commencement ceremony, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services at (352) 588-8464 or adaoffice@saintleo.edu no later than (two weeks before commencement date).
Parking is complimentary for the graduate. We encourage students and guests to carpool to help alleviate traffic.
All students, regardless of participation in commencement, are required to complete the Degree Conferral Application. This application is necessary to confer your degree and issue your diploma. Please ensure you have submitted this application with associated fee prior to April 1st. If you have not, you will access it in OKTA under eLion Self-Service.
To participate in the Commencement event, you must be financially clear. To discuss your account balance or arrange payment, please contact Student Financial Services at 800-240-7658 or email sfs@saintleo.edu.
You may view your balance due and make a payment online using a debit card, credit card, or eCheck through the eLion Self-Service tile in OKTA. Please note that debit and credit card payments will incur a service fee, while eCheck payments do not have an additional fee.
Bachelor degree Latin Honors designations in the commencement program are based on the cumulative grade point average earned at the end of the prior term/semester. Final Latin Honors calculations are based on all graded Saint Leo University courses taken at the undergraduate level. Honors are not awarded for the associate of arts, graduate, or doctoral degrees. Cords are not available for Latin honors. Contact your Honor Society Advisor or any organizations where you hold membership for information on other cords.
Leis, bouquets and Saint Leo Kukui Nut necklaces will be available for sale at the commencement ceremonies. Students/guests are encouraged to pre-order and pick up before each ceremony, that way graduates can wear the leis/kukui necklaces in pictures. Graduation Day Flowers Pre-order website: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/saintleo/
The Expo Hall is indoors so the ceremony will not be impacted by the weather. Always account for traffic.
For additional information about local hotels near Saint Leo Campus visit our website: https://www.saintleo.edu/student-experience/visit/directions-accommodations.
Alternatively, to find lodging accommodations closer to the Florida State Fair Grounds, visit https://floridastatefair.com/lodging/.
Friends and family who are not able to attend the ceremony in person may watch via live streaming video. A link will be posted on the day of the ceremony at www.saintleo.edu to access the live stream.