By Time marches on, and on Saturday, May 13, 291 Carroll students will have the opportunity to march alongside it as graduation arrives in full swing.
This year marks Carroll’s 113th commencement ceremony. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. outside in Nelson Stadium, rain or shine, with the stadium open for seating at noon.
“We have a backup plan in the event of dangerous weather, like lightning,” said Carol Schopfer, who has recently stepped in as Carroll’s next registrar. “The (policy) is ‘come rain or snow or shine,’ but we’re not going to be putting anyone’s health in danger.”
There are also plans for attendees to be able to watch the ceremony live-streamed from designated places across campus.
Graduates are welcome to invite an unlimited number of guests. Those who require lodging for visiting family can find information on Travel Montana’s website. Helena Photography will be taking a class photo and individual photos during the commencement ceremony.
“The registrar is the person who typically coordinates graduation,” said Schopfer. “So, in the absence of that position, I don’t think they wanted to make any major changes. But I know they did try to incorporate student feedback from last year and made minor changes to the ceremony.”
Baccalaureate Mass will also be held on Saturday, May 13. Graduates are encouraged to assemble at the Cathedral of Saint Helena at 9 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Graduates may invite a maximum of two guests, with tickets available from Campus Ministry. A class photo will be taken on the Cathedral steps after Mass ends. Tickets can be picked up starting Wednesday, May 10.
On Friday, May 12, a mandatory graduation rehearsal will take place at 1 p.m. outside Nelson Stadium, followed by the president’s toast, an assortment of pinning and hooding ceremonies, and the unveiling of the class bricks.
Awards will be distributed to those graduating during the commencement ceremony. The Michael Murphy Award will be presented to a senior student nominated by their classmates for exemplifying Carroll values such as academic integrity and selflessness. The Raymond G. Hunthausen Award will be given to a graduate with substantial community service experience, and the Bishop Gilmore Memorial Award will be presented to the graduating student or students with the highest GPA. Other awards include the Outstanding Teaching Award, the Distinguished Scholar Award, and the Excellence in Service Award.
Overall, 291 seniors will walk during the ceremony, including those graduating during the 2023 Summer and Fall semesters. Of these seniors, the most popular major is nursing, with 43 standard graduates from the program and an additional 11 graduates from the accelerated program. Other popular majors include health sciences with 33 graduates, business management and marketing with 29 graduates, and biology with 23 graduates.
“We’re super excited to have such a large graduating class,” Schopfer remarked. “The GPAs in this class are particularly high. They’ve done very well, and I think everyone is really proud of them.”
