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Graduation & Commencement

Celebrate Our Individual and Collective Achievements

We are proud to invite families and the general public to attend the University of Mary’s annual Commencement Ceremony, which celebrates the individual achievements of our students and recognizes the special character of the Mary community.

The University of Mary live streams Commencement for friends and family members who cannot attend on our YouTube page and at LifeatMary.com.

Ceremony Details

Commencement is a public celebration of educational achievement for students, family, and friends. Students do not need to purchase or reserve tickets for their guests—the arena seating will be open to all guests of our honored graduates.

When

Saturday, April 29, 2023
2:30 pm CDT
Doors open at 1 pm

Where

Bismarck Event Center, Main Arena. 315 S Fifth St, Bismarck, ND 58504. Guests enter through the main door, A1. Outside food and beverages are prohibited in the Bismarck Event Center.

*Participation in the Commencement ceremony is not a guarantee of degree completion. All university, school, and departmental requirements must be fulfilled before a degree can be conferred.

How To Apply for Your Diploma

  • Consult with your academic advisor for graduation eligibility.
  • Upon approved eligibility, submit your diploma and commencement application through my.umary.edu.
  • The University of Mary holds one yearly commencement at the end of the spring term. Graduating students include fall, spring, or summer applicants of the preceding school term.
  • Diploma applications must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar (see below) no later than April 1 to ensure the applicant's name is included for university graduation publications.
  • Late applicants will be welcome to participate in the commencement ceremony, but the name cannot be added to the university graduation publications.
  • The application orders the diploma and reserves a chair at commencement, if attending.
  • All students must fulfill all academic requirements, and financial obligations, which includes the graduation processing fee. The fee is charged to a student’s account when registering for the applicable student assessment course at the undergraduate, master, or doctoral level.
  • Contact graduation@umary.edu  for changes in participation, and with any changes to your diploma mailing address.
  • The diploma package will be mailed after the degree has been conferred and all financial obligations have been met. Students who do not attend the ceremony will also receive the university plaque and a copy of the commencement program.
  • Extra diploma copies or replacements can be purchased for $25 each; contact graduation@umary.edu or 701-355-8080.

Commencement Attire and Portraits

    Students are responsible for purchasing their own academic attire. You can review the policy for academic attire in the Catalog under Academic Life: General Policies.

    Visit the Jostens Graduation Store for graduation caps and gowns, class rings, graduation announcements, diploma frames, and more.

    Jostens will also be present at the Bismarck Event Center the day of Commencement to assist with any last-minute purchases.

    Everyone is photographed by Lifetouch Photography:

    • Photos will be online at events.lifetouch.com 2-6 weeks after the ceremony.
    • You’ll be mailed complimentary proofs, with no obligation to purchase.
    • Visit their page to sign up and receive notification when your proofs are online and ready to order.

    Questions? 

    The Office of the Registrar is in the lower level of the Benedictine Center and is open 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday–Friday.

    We are Just a Phone Call Or Email Away

    Office of the Registrar
    7500 University Drive Bismarck, ND 58504
    701-355-8080 or 800-288-6279 (MARY)