Nursing Pinning Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.
Venue: Crypt Church, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Conway School of Nursing hosts its Nursing Pinning Ceremony before graduation. This rite of passage celebrates the dedication and emotional disposition of our nursing graduates.
For additional information, please contact Patricia Ann Connor-Ballard
Athletics Diploma Ceremony: 1 p.m.
Venue: Great Room, 3rd Floor, Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center
This diploma ceremony is for graduating athletes competing in NCAA tournaments during the weekend of commencement.
Senior Athletics Awards: 3 p.m.
Venue: Great Room, 3rd Floor, Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center
The senior awards banquet is hosted on campus the week of commencement to honor graduating students who have made significant contributions to campus and to their teams. Awards are also given to students who serve as role models. Graduates who are recognized include record holders, NCAA Championship Tournament participants, and major conference award winners.
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony: 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Heritage Hall, Father O'Connell Hall
The ceremony is similar to a graduation in that faculty and students are dressed in academic attire. During the ceremony, the name of each graduate is called, and the graduate goes on stage with his or her faculty adviser(s). If the faculty adviser is not available, the dean will perform the hooding. The adviser places the doctoral hood over the head of the graduate, signifying his or her success in completing the graduate program, and the Vice Provost for Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies then congratulates the graduate.
Please contact J. Steven Brown, Ph.D., P.E., Senior Vice Provost for Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies and David P. Long, S.T.L., M.Phil., J.C.D., Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Strategic Planning at cua-graduatestudies@cua.edu for additional information.
Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony: 10 a.m.
Venue: Auditorium, Caldwell Hall
Since 1776, Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) has championed education in the arts and sciences, fostered freedom of thought, and recognized academic excellence. PBK honors the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates from 290 top schools across the nation through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.
The Catholic University of America is pleased to be amongst the 10% of U.S. colleges and universities that have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Kindly contact Jennifer Paxton, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of History and Director, University Honors Program at cua-honorsprogram@cua.edu for additional information.
Honors Convocation: 1 p.m.
Venue: Upper Church, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Honors Convocation recognizes students elected to membership in national honor societies, students that have completed at least one track in the Undergraduate Honors Program curriculum, and those who have achieved individual honors in their specific disciplines. Students in one or more of the categories above are invited to attend the ceremony. This event is by invitation: students will be notified by various schools and societies.
Please contact Lynn Mayer, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Teaching and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at cua-honorsprogram@cua.edu for additional information.
Baccalaureate Mass: 4 p.m. The procession will begin at 3:30 p.m. Guests should be seated prior to the start of the procession.
Venue: Upper Church, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Baccalaureate Mass is a time to give thanks and reflect on one’s experience at Catholic University. It is an important spiritual component of our annual commencement activities. The Mass is celebrated by the University chaplain. At the end of Mass, those graduates who are entering religious life, embarking on a year of service, or joining the military are called forward, acknowledged, and blessed.
Commencement Ceremony: 10 a.m. The procession will begin at 9:30 a.m. Guests should be seated prior to the start of the procession.
Venue: East Steps, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
President’s Reception 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Venue: University Lawn (Rain: Pryzbyla Center and Columbus School of Law Atrium)
The President's Reception begins at the conclusion of the main ceremony. Group 1 (see Diploma Distribution below) will proceed to their diploma ceremony locations. Group 2 (see Diploma Distribution below) will proceed to the reception.
Diploma Distribution Schedule will be posted in the Spring 2025 Semester.
Find all the Commencement events' locations through our interactive campus map. Click the map below to get started!
