Important Reminders for Commencement Activities
05/14/2024
Saint Louis University will celebrate its 2024 Commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Chaifetz Arena.
Before the ceremony, take a look at some important reminders for those attending the event.
Important Reminders for Commencement Activities
- Graduates should arrive one hour prior to your precommencement ceremony. For Saturday’s commencement ceremony, graduates should arrive at 8 a.m.
- Graduates will enter through the main doors of the O'Loughlin Family Champions Center and assemble in the Chaifetz Pavilion (practice gym). Guests will enter through the arena gates. Faculty are to assemble in the loading dock area of the arena, near the security entrance.
- Caps and gowns are required to participate in the precommencement and main commencement ceremonies.
- Chaifetz Arena has a clear bag policy for all guests. Please adhere to the policy.
- Review the Chaifetz Arena A-Z Guide for more information about visiting the arena.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited in all university and school/college ceremonies and events and are subject to confiscation:
- Air horns and other artificial noisemakers
- Animals, except assistance animals
- Banners or signs larger than 11”x17” (No poles of any kind will be allowed.)
- Food and drink (except water)
- Firearms and weapons
- Laser lights
- Balloons, glitter and confetti
- Unmanned aircraft/drones
Commencement Details
For those who cannot attend in person, commencement will stream live on slu.edu, on Saint Louis University's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Emmy-award-winning actor Jon Hamm will return to his hometown of St. Louis to deliver the spring commencement address this year at Saint Louis University. Hamm won acclaim for his portrayal of the high-powered advertising executive Don Draper on AMC's award-winning drama series "Mad Men."
Hamm attended John Burroughs School in Ladue, where he was a member of the football, baseball, and swim teams. After graduating, he headed to the University of Missouri and received his Bachelor of Arts in English.
Hamm also has been a supporter of numerous charities including the Alzheimer’s Association, Cancer Research Institute, Stand Up To Cancer and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hamm also helped local organizations like the St. Louis County Library Foundation and St. Louis Actor’s Studio Small Professional Theater Sustainment Fund raise money during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to delivering the commencement address, Hamm will join three SLU alums in receiving honorary degrees. Fr. P. Maria Joseph Christie, S.J. (CSB ’99) and Susan E. Klepper, Ph.D. (Doisy ’66) and William M. Klepper, Ph.D. (Arts and Sciences ’66).