Commencement 2026

List of 9 items.

• Announcements

  Graduates receive a pack of 20 graduation announcements, envelopes and personalized name cards that can be sent to family and friends. Packs will be distributed in April.

• Arrival Time

  Baccalaureate Mass, May 30
  Students to be seated by 3:45 p.m. in the Church of the Gesu. Leave ample time for parking. 
  
  Commencement, May 31
  Students to arrive by 9 a.m. and gather in the Mandeville Hall foyer. The Hagan Arena doors open to guests at 9 a.m. 

• Attire

  Graduates will be supplied a tuxedo at graduation rehearsal on Thursday, May 28 which they should immediately try on once they arrive home to ensure fit. If any issues are discovered with your tuxedo, call Rudi's Formal Wear: 215-336-1866. Tuxedo rental includes jacket, pants, shirt and tie. Shoes are not included in the tuxedo rental. Black dress shoes are appropriate to wear with the black tuxedo pants.

   

  Baccalaureate Mass
  Graduates should adhere to the school dress code--jacket, tie, button down shirt, dress pants and shoes. 

   

  Commencement Exercises
  Graduates must arrive at the Mandeville Hall foyer by 9 a.m., wearing their tuxedo. Graduates will be given a boutonniere, St. Joseph medal and class pin to apply to their tuxedos; keep lapels free of other pins and decorations. Honors cords may be worn. Ms. Morgan will distribute honors cords to NHS members in Mandeville Hall at SJU.

• Guests

  Baccalaureate Mass
  By mid-May each family will receive a mailing that contains one Baccalaureate announcement and 3 tickets. Due to space limitations, each graduate may bring only 3 guests. The graduate does not need a ticket.

  If parents are in separate households, please contact Carol McLaughlin, cmclaughlin@sjprep.org.

  
  Commencement Exercises
  No tickets are required to attend the Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 31 at Saint Joseph's University.

• Length

  Baccalaureate Mass is approximately 1.5 hrs. Commencement Exercises are usually under 2 hrs.

• Parking for the Hagan Arena

  The Hawks' Landing Parking Garage and Mandeville Lot will be open for the Prep graduation on Sunday. Entrances to both are on 54th St. south of City Ave. There is no fee for parking at SJU on the day of graduation. There are limited number of handicap parking spaces near the entrance to Hagan Arena. Accessible drop off is available at the arena entrance. Please drop off and proceed to a parking space.
  
  Click here to see a map for parking.

• Seating

  Baccalaureate Mass
  Seating is first come, first served in the Church of the Gesu. Graduates will sit in a chair in the church aisle. Ideally, their family will sit in the pew next to them. Please use one pew per family. Brothers who are ushers do not require a ticket. 

  
  Commencement Exercises
  Seating is first comes, first served in the Hagan Arena. No tickets are necessary for entrance.  Accessible seating is available on the main level of the arena for wheel chairs and in the upper balconies. Take the elevator in the entrance foyer to level two and three. Event staff will direct you to accessible areas.

• Tuxedo Return – Monday, June 1

  Please return all tuxedo items in the provided garment bag on Monday, June 1. Hang your pants, shirt, bow tie, and jacket on a hanger and place them on the designated racks located in the entry foyer from 6 am-6 pm.
  If it is easier, you also have the option to return items on this day (June 1st) to either Rudi’s Formal Wear location.  Both stores are open June 1st from 11am to 7pm.
  · 1113 West Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA – 215-336-1866
  ·  415 Egg Harbor Drive, Sewell, NJ – 856-256-1976
  
  All tuxedo pieces have been scanned and assigned to each student. If tuxedos are not returned or are returned damaged, replacement charges will be billed to the family.
  Replacement charges are as follows:
  Jacket – $210
  Pants – $100
  Shirt – $40
  Bow Tie – $15
  Vest (Flag Bearers) – $75
  
  Please ensure all items are returned in good condition and pockets are emptied before return. It is your responsibility to make sure you have all your personal items before returning your rental.
  Thank you for your cooperation as we prepare for a wonderful Commencement celebration!

• Video and Photography

  Livestream video

  Two livestream links will be available to watch the weekend events--one for the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, and a separate link for the Commencement Exercises on Sunday. Please check the webpage a few days before each event. 
  
  

  Photos
  Legacy Photography is scheduled to take photos of each graduate as he walks across the stage. Legacy will contact you directly about the opportunity to purchase these photos. Email our Legacy representatives with any questions.
  Email: office@legacyphoto.com
  Phone: (610)-279-1791
  Website: https://www.legacyphoto.com/