Commencement, 2025 | Graduation Details

2025 Commencement

Important Information for Commencement 2025

Academic Regalia

Academic regalia is required for graduating students attending the Baccalaureate Mass or Commencement ceremony. The deadline to order academic regalia through Herff Jones (collegegrad.herffjones.com) is March 14.
Academic regalia will be distributed during the week of April 21.
Ave Maria University Campus Store

Commencement Tickets

Each graduate will be allocated a set number of tickets, which will be available for pick up the week of May 5 at the Ave Maria University Campus Store. The number of tickets available will be announced at a later date.

A wait-list will be made available for additional tickets. Students interested in being placed on the wait-list should contact Christy Dorer. Relatives and friends may also stream the ceremony online.

Photos

GradImages™, featuring the GradTrak® system, will be on hand to photograph each AMU commencement participant. Digital proofs will be sent within 24 hours and free color proofs will be mailed to each graduate four days after the ceremony. Graduates are under no obligation to purchase pictures.

The graduation photo process is completely outsourced to this vendor, and AMU staff will be unable to assist those with specific questions related to photography services. For more information, visit www.gradimages.com.

Commencement Rehearsal (required)

Thursday, May 8 - 10:00 a.m.

Tom Golisano Field House

This is the time when graduates can ask questions about the commencement ceremonies and related activities and when you will be given important instructions to make the weekend as enjoyable as possible for you and your guests. If for some reason you cannot attend, you must contact the Office of the Dean of Faculty at (239) 280-2550.

Baccalaureate Mass

Friday, May 9 - 5:00 p.m. (line up 4:15 p.m.)

Ave Maria Catholic Church

Academic regalia is required for this event. Tickets are not required for this Mass, but please keep in mind that seating is limited in the church—family and friends in attendance should plan to arrive early to secure a seat.  

Graduates are to meet in the Demetree Lecture Hall in the Paul M. Henkels Academic Building at 4:15 p.m. for robing and to form the procession line. No particular order will be observed for the procession and seating. Ushers and staff will be on hand to assist with any last-minute cap and gown issues. It is recommended that you do not bring valuables with you.

President's Dinner & Award Ceremony

Friday, May 9 - 6:30 p.m.

Bob Thomas Student Union, First Floor

This optional event is an AMU tradition, and is open to all graduating seniors, their families, as well as AMU faculty and staff. Tickets are required for ALL attendees (including AMU students, faculty, and staff) and must be purchased no later than April 29, 2025. No tickets will be sold after this date.  

Adults - $35.00 | Children 6-15 - $16.00 | Children 5 and under - Free  

Graduating Students - Free  

Dinner will begin after the Baccalaureate Mass has ended, around 6:30 pm, and is served buffet style. Soft drinks and dessert are included; cash bar for beer and wine. Program to honor President's Award finalists and Class of 2025 faculty speaker will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.

To purchase your tickets, please visit: www.avemaria.edu/presidents-dinner-tickets
Email president@avemaria.edu with any questions.

Commencement

Saturday, May 10 - 10:00 a.m.

Tom Golisano Field House

Tickets are required, and each graduate will be allotted a set number of tickets (the number to be announced at a later date).  

Relatives and friends may also stream the ceremony online (www.avemaria.edu).

Graduates, faculty, and stage party are to arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. Academic regalia is required.  Graduates will line up alphabetically, undergraduates first, followed by M.A.s, M.B.A.s, and Ph.D.s. Ushers and staff will be on hand to assist with any last-minute cap and gown issues. It is recommended that you do not bring valuables with you.  Please pay attention to the Student Marshals leading the procession and assisting at the steps to the stage when your name is called.

Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient

Michael Knowles is the celebrated host of The Michael Knowles Show at the Daily Wire and The Book Club at PragerU.  

Michael has received numerous honors, including the Fr. Benedict Groeschel Award from Good Counsel Homes, the Conservative Mind Award from The American Conservative magazine, and the Courage Under Fire Award from Regina Caeli Academy. In addition to podcast and radio, Michael appears regularly on television, and his writing has been featured in the Daily Wire, the Claremont Reviews of Books, the American Conservative, the American Mind, and Fox News, among other outlets. Michael is a graduate of Yale University and has lectured at universities and research institutes around the world.

In 2017, Michael published the #1 national bestselling treatise Reasons to Vote for Democrats, which President Donald Trump hailed as “a great book for your reading enjoyment." The book has since been translated into Magyarul and is available in bookstores throughout Hungary. In 2021, Michael published his first book with words, Speechless, which also reached #1 on the national bestseller chart.

In early 2020, Michael teamed up with Senator Ted Cruz to launch Verdict, which quickly rose to the top spot on the charts across all podcasts. Later that year, after an appearance guest-hosting “The Rush Limbaugh Program,” Michael’s daily podcast became syndicated to terrestrial radio. Also that year, Michael was named a Lincoln Fellow at the Claremont Institute.

Outside of politics and media, Michael is also a founder and owner of Mayflower Cigars.

Academic Honors

Ave Maria University awards baccalaureate degrees with honors for distinguished achievement according to the following system:

  • Cum laude is earned with a cumulative GPA between 3.6 and 3.749.
  • Magna cum laude is earned with a cumulative GPA between 3.75 and 3.899.
  • Summa cum laude is earned with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 and above.

To graduate with such honors recognition, a minimum of 64 credits, or 16 course, must be taken while the student is enrolled at Ave Maria University.

Eligible graduates will be notified via e-mail by the registrar, and may pick up their honor cords from the registrar's office.