By As the dawn of May 11 approaches, Carroll College prepares to honor the remarkable achievements of the 228 hard-working graduates ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
The 114th graduation ceremony will be held indoors at Carroll’s PE center at 1 p.m.
“This is the first indoor ceremony we’ve been able to have since before Covid,” said Amber Barnes, Theatre Adjunct & Registrar Office Assistant. “It’s going to be different from previous years, but it’s exciting to get the ceremony back to normal.”
Every year, Carroll provides the option to livestream this event for those who are not able to make it to the ceremony. There are plans in place for the live stream to continue this year.
Graduating students can invite up to eight guests. In previous years there was an unlimited number of guests welcome due to the ceremony taking place outside, but this year the ceremony has returned indoors, slightly limiting ticket distribution. Carroll will also be welcoming Jaydee Weatherwax, a member of the Blackfeet nation and the first Native American graduate from Carroll, to sing an Honor Song at the ceremony.
“This year, there will be a Native American Honor Song that will take place after the National Anthem,” said Barnes. “This song will honor specifically Native American graduates, as well as all other graduates.”
A mandatory graduation rehearsal will take place on Friday, May 10 at the PE center. Following this rehearsal, the President’s toast will commence at 2:30 p.m., located between the HAC and the PE center. This event will feature the hooding and pinning ceremonies, followed by an evening of cocktails and dinner.
On Saturday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m., graduates are cordially invited to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. Each graduate may extend invitations to a maximum of two guests, with tickets available for acquisition at the Campus Ministry office beginning Wednesday, May 8.
During the commencement ceremony, several awards will be distributed to fellow graduates. The Bishop Gilmore Memorial Award will be given to the graduates who attain the highest GPA. The Raymond G. Hunthausen Award will be given to the graduates who showed dedication to helping others selflessly. The Michael Murphy Award will be given to the graduate who embodies achievement, leadership, and generosity while promoting Carroll’s spirit and ideals. Other awards include the Distinguished Scholar Award, the Excellence in Service Award, and the Outstanding Teaching Award.
The 228 students that will be walking on May 11 will include students who graduated in December of 2023, as well as Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2024. Amongst this group, the most popular major is nursing with 36 students walking. The runners-up include 25 health science majors, 24 biology majors, 28 business majors, and 20 education majors.
“I am so proud of this class and everything we’ve made it through,” said Bella Hawk, a senior biology major from Charlo, Montana, who was chosen to be the senior speaker at graduation. “We have overcome a lot of adversity and found innovative ways to further our education. Graduating college should be celebrated. I love the class of 2024.”
