Commencement
A Time-Honored Tradition
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. Typically, Commencement takes place the first Saturday of June each year. For our 2023 Celebration, we will host a series of smaller, in-person ceremonies by academic discipline on Thursday, June 1; Friday, June 2; and Saturday, June 3.
A Time-Honored Tradition
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. Typically, Commencement takes place the first Saturday of June each year. For our 2023 Celebration, we will host a series of smaller, in-person ceremonies by academic discipline on Thursday, June 1; Friday, June 2; and Saturday, June 3.
1924
Spalding graduated its first class from the Louisville campus.
2023
Commencement will take place in smaller ceremonies on June 1, June 2, and June 3.
1924
Spalding graduated its first class from the Louisville campus.
2023
Commencement will take place in smaller ceremonies on June 1, June 2, and June 3.
Ceremony Schedule
Our commencement ceremonies are open to our undergraduate and graduate degree recipients. Doors will open 45 minutes before the start of each scheduled ceremony. Guests should check in with one of the clerks stationed in the entry lobby, and ushers will direct them to available seating. Graduates will walk at the ceremony listed for their academic discipline and can contact their academic advisor or program director with any questions.
Thursday, June 1st
1:00 PM
Clinical Mental Health Counseling + College of Education
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Business
Columbia Gym Auditorium
Friday, June 2nd
1:00 PM
Kosair for Kids College of Health & Natural Sciences (Athletic Training, Health Science, Natural Science, & Nursing)
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Liberal Arts + Criminal Justice Studies
Columbia Gym Auditorium
6:00 PM
Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing
The Brown Hotel
Saturday, June 3rd
1:00 PM
School of Social Work
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Professional Psychology
Columbia Gym Auditorium
Student Arrival & Assembly
Graduates should report directly to the Columbia Gym building (824 S. 4th Street) no later than 45 minutes before the start of their scheduled ceremony. Students will assemble in the gym, which is next to the auditorium. This will allow ample time for you to get into line for the procession. Be sure to bring your cap and gown.
Ceremony Schedule
Our commencement ceremonies are open to our undergraduate and graduate degree recipients. Doors will open 45 minutes before the start of each scheduled ceremony. Guests should check in with one of the clerks stationed in the entry lobby, and ushers will direct them to available seating. Graduates will walk at the ceremony listed for their academic discipline and can contact their academic advisor or program director with any questions.
Thursday, June 1st
1:00 PM
Clinical Mental Health Counseling + College of Education
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Business
Columbia Gym Auditorium
Friday, June 2nd
1:00 PM
Kosair for Kids College of Health & Natural Sciences (Athletic Training, Health Science, Natural Science, & Nursing)
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Liberal Arts + Criminal Justice Studies
Columbia Gym Auditorium
6:00 PM
Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing
The Brown Hotel
Saturday, June 3rd
1:00 PM
School of Social Work
Columbia Gym Auditorium
4:00 PM
School of Professional Psychology
Columbia Gym Auditorium
Student Arrival & Assembly
Graduates should report directly to the Columbia Gym building (824 S. 4th Street) no later than 45 minutes before the start of their scheduled ceremony. Students will assemble in the gym, which is next to the auditorium. This will allow ample time for you to get into line for the procession. Be sure to bring your cap and gown.
Information for Graduates
Live Streaming
All six ceremonies will be streamed live. Links will lead to their respective live streams on the day and at the time specified for each ceremony.
Thursday, June 1
- 1:00 PM — Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program + College of Education
- 4:00 PM — School of Business
Friday, June 2
- 1:00 PM — Kosair for Kids College of Health & Natural Sciences (Athletic Training, Health Science, Natural Science, & Nursing)
- 4:00 PM — School of Liberal Arts + Criminal Justice Studies Program
Saturday, June 3
- 1:00 PM — School of Social Work
- 4:00 PM — School of Professional Psychology
Accessibility Concerns
To ask questions about accessibility or to request accommodations for commencement, please contact Katherine Walker-Payne at (502) 873-4192 or [email protected]. At least two weeks’ advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.
Show Your #SpaldingGrad Pride
Free ‘Spalding Graduate’ Yard Signs
We have a limited number of Spalding Graduate yard signs available for you or your family to display in your lawn and share on social media using #SpaldingGrad. Signs are available for pickup from the Campus Store, located on the south end of the Egan Leadership Center (ELC).
#SpaldingGrad Spotify Playlist
Head on over to Spotify to check out our Spalding University Graduation playlist.
Commencement Photos
Lightspeed Productions provided photography at our commencement ceremonies; you can download photos from their Spalding University Commencement 2023 Gallery free of charge. Additionally, you can find a our curated selection of photos on our Commencement 2023 Photos page or in in our Commencement 2023 Facebook album.
Downloadable Signs and Social Accessories
Share your #SpaldingGrad pride with these special Spalding University 2023 Graduate smartphone wallpapers and social media covers.
Wallpapers
Social Media Cover Photos
Information for Graduates
Live Streaming
All six ceremonies will be streamed live. Links will lead to their respective live streams on the day and at the time specified for each ceremony.
Thursday, June 1
- 1:00 PM — Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program + College of Education
- 4:00 PM — School of Business
Friday, June 2
- 1:00 PM — Kosair for Kids College of Health & Natural Sciences (Athletic Training, Health Science, Natural Science, & Nursing)
- 4:00 PM — School of Liberal Arts + Criminal Justice Studies Program
Saturday, June 3
- 1:00 PM — School of Social Work
- 4:00 PM — School of Professional Psychology
Accessibility Concerns
To ask questions about accessibility or to request accommodations for commencement, please contact Katherine Walker-Payne at (502) 873-4192 or [email protected]. At least two weeks’ advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.
Show Your #SpaldingGrad Pride
Free ‘Spalding Graduate’ Yard Signs
We have a limited number of Spalding Graduate yard signs available for you or your family to display in your lawn and share on social media using #SpaldingGrad. Signs are available for pickup from the Campus Store, located on the south end of the Egan Leadership Center (ELC).
#SpaldingGrad Spotify Playlist
Head on over to Spotify to check out our Spalding University Graduation playlist.
Commencement Photos
Lightspeed Productions provided photography at our commencement ceremonies; you can download photos from their Spalding University Commencement 2023 Gallery free of charge. Additionally, you can find a our curated selection of photos on our Commencement 2023 Photos page or in in our Commencement 2023 Facebook album.
Downloadable Signs and Social Accessories
Share your #SpaldingGrad pride with these special Spalding University 2023 Graduate smartphone wallpapers and social media covers.
Wallpapers
Social Media Cover Photos