NOTICE: NOTIFICATION — DATE

DETAILS

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Commencement

Spalding University’s commencement tradition began when Henry Clay presented a diploma to the first graduate of Nazareth Academy, founded and operated by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Today, commencement is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our students to obtain their degrees. Historically, Commencement takes place the first Saturday of June each year. In recent years, we have had multiple, small ceremonies over the course of three days. Our 2025 Celebration marks a return to tradition, as we will come together for one large ceremony at The Galt House on June 7th.

Spalding doctoral graduate hugging family member outside after ceremony
Graduates of Class of 1924

1924

Spalding graduated its first class from the Louisville campus.

Spalding bachelor's graduate in cap and gown posing outside Columbia Gym with mom

Ceremony Schedule

Friday, June 6th — Baccalaureate Celebration Service & Award Ceremonies

No tickets are required to attend the baccalaureate celebration service, for any of award ceremonies, or the celebration reception. Attendance and academic regalia are not required for the service, the ceremonies, or the reception.

Baccalaureate Celebration Service: 9:00 – 9:45 AM

The Baccalaureate nondenominational prayer service is for open for all graduates to attend and those there to support them. The service is from 9:00 to 9:45 AM at the First Unitarian Church at 809 South 4th Street.

Award Ceremonies

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Columbia Gym Auditorium

  • College of Education

College Street Auditorium

  • School of Business
  • School of Liberal Arts
  • School of Criminal Justice Studies

1:00 – 3:00 PM

Columbia Gym Auditorium

  • School of Professional Psychology

College Street Auditorium

  • Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy
  • School of Athletic Training
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Natural Sciences

3:00 – 4:00 PM

College Street Auditorium

  • School of Nursing

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Columbia Gym Auditorium

  • School of Social Work

Egan Leadership Center

  • School of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Saturday, June 7th

Tickets for the commencement ceremony must me acquired beforehand. There will be no tickets available at the door. The deadline to request tickets is Friday, May 23, 2025.

Our commencement ceremony is open to our undergraduate and graduate degree recipients. Degree recipients must arrive at the Galt House by 8:30 AM for check-in. Recipients will be assigned a waiting room by academic program. Guests should check in with one of the clerks stationed in the entry lobby, and ushers will direct them to available seating. Guests should be seated by 9:45 AM, and the graduation ceremony starts at 10:00 AM. Graduates can contact their academic advisor or program director with any questions.

8:30 AM
Students Arrive

10:00 AM
Graduation Ceremony Starts

Please note: the livestream will not be available until the ceremony starts at 9:50 AM.

Spalding graduates Ciera Carter and Linsay West outside Columbia Gym after commencement

The deadline to apply for graduation is 8:00 AM on Thursday, April 17th. Any prospective graduate must apply for graduation, regardless of whether or not they plan to attend Commencement in person. To apply for graduation:

  1. Log in to the Spalding Portal (my.spalding.edu)
  2. Under Quick Links, click on “Academic Links”
  3. Click on Application for Graduation
    1. The link to complete the Exit Loan Counseling is at the bottom of the page. If you have questions about the Exit Loan Counseling process, please email financialaid@spalding.edu.

Contact Jennifer Gohmann, Registrar, for questions about applying for graduation: jgohmann@spalding.edu.

For Ticket Requests, please review our Commencement 2025 Ticket Request and complete the form. The deadline to request tickets is Friday, May 23, 2025.

Contact Dr. Erica Gray (egray@spalding.edu) for questions about tickets.

For those unable to attend in-person, we will be streaming the ceremony live. Use the button below to view the livestream. Please note: the livestream will not be available until the ceremony starts at 9:50 AM.

It is important for graduates to make plans now for ordering commencement regalia — including caps and gowns — and announcements. Spalding’s Campus Store will be handling orders through Jostens. The deadline for ordering regalia is Wednesday, April 30.

Representatives from Jostens will be on campus Tuesday, April 15 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM in the Egan Leadership Center to take orders. Prospective graduates may also order regalia online by clicking the button below.

If you have questions about ordering regalia, please contact Contact Alisa Peach, Campus Store Manager:

Phone: (502) 585-7108 Select option 1 to reach the Campus Store

Two Spalding master's graduates posing outside Columbia Gym

To ask questions about accessibility or to request accommodations for commencement, please contact Katherine Walker-Payne at accessibility@spalding.edu. At least two weeks’ advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.