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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 holds one yearly commencement at the end of the spring term. Graduating students include fall, spring, or summer applicants for the preceding school term.

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

Commencement

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 26, 2025
2:30 pm

Where

Bismarck Event Center, Main Arena. 315 S Fifth St, Bismarck, ND 58504. Outside food and beverages are prohibited in the Bismarck Event Center.

Additional details will be made available closer to the date of the event.

*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.

Graduation Celebration

Students after graduation in their gowns.

On Graduation Day, April 26th, you and your family and friends are invited to join us at the Lumen Vitae University Center from 8 to 11 pm for music, refreshments, fun, and fireworks. Proudly sponsored by Student Government and Alumni Relations. Please help us plan! Let us know you're coming using the form below!

Remember to Apply for Your Diploma

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 on the day of Commencement to assist with any last-minute purchases.

Mary academic attire consists of the following:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: a black bachelor’s gown, mortarboard, and tassel.
  • Master’s Degree: black master’s gown, mortarboard, and tassel. A master’s hood appropriate to your specific degree type.
  • Doctoral Degree: black doctoral gown, black tam, yellow tassel, and doctoral hood appropriate to your specific degree type.

Cords will be picked up the day of Commencement at the student lineup.

Jostens Customer Service
1-800-854-7464

A professional photographer from The Grad Team will be capturing photos of each graduate as they cross the stage. To receive a notification when your photo proofs are ready, please complete the sign-up form. We recommend that students fill out this form themselves rather than a parent or spouse.

Sign Up Here

For the best experience, use your phone to complete the form, as you'll need to upload a selfie during the signup process.

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)