Florida Commencement Ceremonies

Congratulations, Graduates! 

Below is preliminary information regarding the Florida Commencement events and expectations for attendance.

Event Information

Baccalaureate Mass will be held in the Marion Bowman Activities Center, on Friday, April 26, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Saint Leo Under the Stars reception with fireworks celebrating our graduates will start immediately following Mass, or at 5:30 p.m.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa. The Florida State Fairgrounds is located at 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa FL 33610. Venue information is accessible at http://www.floridastatefair.com/. Your ceremony will be dependent on your program and location. Please see the schedule below: 

Friday, April 26, 2019

Baccalaureate Mass   |  Marion Bowman Athletic Center
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saint Leo Under the Stars  |  University Campus
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (or immediately following Mass)
Reception celebrating our graduates with a fireworks display

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Commencement   |  Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida

Morning Ceremony  - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.*
     ►  University Campus Undergraduate Students
     ►  Tapia College of Business Graduate Students

Afternoon Ceremony  - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.*
     ►  Worldwide Students
     ►  College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Students
     ►  College of Education and Social Services Graduate Students

_{*Note: Ending times are approximate}

 

Degrees By College

College of Arts and Sciences   |  Saturday, April 27, 2:00 p.m.

Master of Arts Creative Writing
Master of Arts in Theology
Master of Science in Psychology

Tapia College of Business   |  Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m.

Master of Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Doctor of Business Administration in Management (DBA)

College of Education and Social Services   |  Saturday, April 27, 2:00 p.m.

Master of Education
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management and Critical Incident Management
Master of Science in Human Services Administration
Master of Science in Instructional Design
Master of Social Work
Education Specialist: Educational Leadership Specialization

A detailed schedule of when and where to report will be sent later. Guests may arrive one hour prior to the start of each ceremony and should be seated within 15 minutes of the ceremony start time.

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Other Important Information

Tickets

Guest tickets are NOT required. Seating will not be assigned. Seating is first-come, first-serve basis.

Baby carriers and strollers are permitted in the Expo Hall. Please note that this is bleacher seating so the stroller will be left unattended. Do not leave valuables with the stroller unattended.

Parking

Parking is complimentary for the graduate. All other guest vehicles will pay $8 to park (Cash Only).

Regalia

A Herff Jones representative will be at the Campus Store on February 6 and 7, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

You may also order and pay for your academic regalia online directly from Herff Jones at www.herffjones.com/college/slu. To pick up your regalia at the Main University Campus, choose MAIN CAMPUS from the dropdown menu when ordering. Additional pickup information will be sent later. You can have your regalia sent directly to your home via regular or express shipping methods by selecting the HOMESHIP option. Announcements and other items are available for sale on the Herff Jones website. Announcements will be shipped to your home, even if you order a package that includes regalia. Order by February 7 for possible discounts. Contact the Campus Store at (352) 588-8344 with questions.

The deadline to order your academic regalia is March 8, 2019. Regalia is required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.   

Financial Obligations

You must be financially clear to participate in the Commencement event. To discuss your financial account balance or to make payment arrangements, contact Student Financial Services at 855-300-2672. For assistance in person, please feel free to visit Student Financial Services located in Saint Edward’s Hall at University Campus.

What to Bring

Be sure to bring your regalia. Academic regalia is required to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Ceremony. The Commencement line-up and processional will require graduates to be on their feet for an extended period of time, 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.

Weather

The Commencement Ceremony will take place rain or shine (hopefully it will be a sun-shinny Florida day). The Expo Hall is indoors so the ceremony will not be impacted by the weather.

Accommodations

For additional information about local hotels near Saint Leo visit our website: http://www.saintleo.edu/about/visitor-information/nearby-accommodations.aspx. Or to find accommodations closer to the Florida State Fair Grounds, visit: http://www.floridastatefair.com/p/other/preferred-hotels.  

Live Stream

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.

Finally, if your plans have changed and you no longer intend to attend commencement, please notify the Registrar’s Office at (352) 588-8460 or send an email to commencement@saintleo.edu. Please visit www.saintleo.edu/commencement for information and updates.