Schedule of Events
Please note that some dates and times are subject to change.
Detailed information about Senior Week activities can be found on the Senior Week webpage.
*Notes that due to programmatic or space constraints, this program is reserved for our graduating seniors
Monday
May 6, 2024
Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Last Lecture
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Senior Bingo*
8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Tuesday
May 7, 2024
Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Senior Class Social*
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Bateman Plaza / Great Lawn
Wednesday
May 8, 2024
Student Athlete Commencement (tentative)
Time TBD
Leonard Center Hall of Fame Room
Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Lavender Graduation
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
RSVPs required; please submit this form no later than May 1 at noon if you are interested in attending.
Last Supper
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Café Mac
Senior Class Night at the Science Museum of MN*
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Science Museum of MN
Thursday
May 9, 2024
Commencement Rehearsal and Class Photo*
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Leonard Center Fieldhouse
Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
International Graduate Reception
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
By invitation. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending.
Friday
May 10, 2024
Commencement Information Table and Volunteer Check-in
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Campus Center – 2nd level
Phi Beta Kappa Induction
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel
Zero Waste Picnic
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Café Mac, Campus Center
The entire Macalester campus community is invited to a campus-wide, zero-waste picnic. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required for everyone who plans on attending. This helps us ensure that we have enough food for all and are prepared for any special dietary needs. Outdoor seating will be available on the Great Lawn, weather permitting.
Senior Art Show
Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Rites of Passage
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Graduating seniors who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) should RSVP here by April 15 to participate.
Community members who would like to attend should RSVP here no later than Monday, May 6.
Academic Department Receptions
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Various locations across campus
Academic departments hold receptions for majors, minors, and students connected to the department to celebrate their extraordinary work.
Academic Department Reception Schedule and Locations (PDF)
Marking the Moment
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Chapel
At Macalester the Chaplains of the College partner with graduating seniors to co-create a ritual of farewell to the moments, memories and milestones that have been part of the Macalester journey. At Marking the Moment you can expect a gracious space where senior voices bring memories to the fore. Graduates will be showered with words of hope from our staff & faculty. This event is open to all graduates, guests, staff and faculty; you can expect this event to run for approximately 45 minutes. Uniquely Macalester, this moment is a creative reimagination of traditional Baccalaureate services. A gift will be provided for all graduating seniors.
Commencement Shabbat Gathering
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Chapel Garden Level (moat area)
Graduating seniors, bring your friends, families, and guests for one final gathering with Macalester’s Jewish community. We’ll have time to connect, share stories, sing, and have a bite of challah together as we celebrate your commencement. Questions? Email Rabbi Emma: [email protected]
Music Seniors in Recital
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mairs Concert Hall
Saturday
May 11, 2024
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Café Mac, Campus Center
The entire Macalester campus community is invited to a campus-wide continental breakfast. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required for everyone who plans on attending. This helps us ensure that we have enough food for all and are prepared for any special dietary needs. Outdoor seating will be available on the Great Lawn, weather permitting.
Honoring the Journey
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mairs Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Honoring the Journey is a special gathering that honors the families of those who are amongst the first generation in their family to graduate from college. Graduating first generation seniors will have an opportunity to acknowledge those who have supported their journey as a first generation college student. RSVPs required to participate. Please RSVP using this form no later than Friday, April 12.
Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Questions? Email Ruth Janisch [email protected] or Sedric McClure [email protected]
Senior Class Line Up
9:45 a.m.
Alumni Gym, Leonard Center
Commencement Ceremony
10:30 a.m.
Macalester Stadium (inclement weather location: Leonard Center Fieldhouse)
All guests must have a ticket to attend the Commencement Ceremony. (Exception: Any child under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may attend without a ticket.)
The Registration and Ticket Request Form for the May 2024 Commencement ceremony has closed. Students who registered by the deadline received an email on February 27 with their ticket status. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about your registration or ticket status.