Atchison, Kansas

Commencement Information for Graduates

Graduation Applications

In order to participate in Commencement, graduates are required to submit graduation applications to the Office of Academic Records and Registration by October 1, 2024.

To submit a late application, please contact the office. Late applications are subject to a $100 late fee. If you have submitted an application already, please review your application in your RavenZone account (under Self-Service) to make sure the mailing address, name, and hometown are still correct.

Grad Finale: Thursday, March 20

The Grad Finale event is tentatively set for March 20, 2025, and is a one-stop shop for graduates preparing for Commencement. At the event, graduates can:

  • Receive their caps and gowns
  • Pose for a professional picture in graduation attire
  • Confirm name pronunciation for when they are announced during the ceremony
  • Order/purchase graduation keepsakes
  • Visit with representatives from these offices:
    • Office of Academic Records and Registration
    • Business Office
    • Office of Financial Aid
    • Career Services Office
    • Alumni Relations Office

Commencement Tickets

Due to the ever-increasing size of our graduating classes, each graduate will receive two (2) guest tickets to be in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium for Commencement. Each graduate can pick up their guest tickets at the Office of the President (4th floor of Ferrell Academic Center) from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After the initial ticket distribution, it will be determined whether any tickets remain. If there are any extra tickets, those will be made available to the students through an online request form that will go live at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.

Remember, these are tickets to be inside the Nolan Gymnasium for Commencement. There will be plenty of room in simulcast locations, including O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium directly across from the gym, for additional friends and family to see the ceremony and be present for the post-graduation celebrations.

Champagne Brunch: Friday, May 16 @ 10:00 a.m.

The Senior Champagne Brunch is hosted by the Office of Alumni & Career Services, and is for graduates only. The brunch takes place in the Dining Hall. 

Class Photo: Friday, May 16 @ 3:30 p.m.

The traditional photo around the Benedictine “B” in academic regalia will take place just prior to the March of Light. Gather in cap and gown around the “B” at 3:30 p.m. for the photo and traditional blessing. 

March of Light: Friday, May 16 @ 4:00 p.m.

Following the class photo around the Benedictine “B”, process up the Raven Walk lined with faculty and staff, place a candle at the Grotto, and then process to St. Benedict’s Abbey Church for the Baccalaureate Mass.

Baccalaureate Mass: Friday, May 16 @ 4:30 p.m.

Mass will take place in St. Benedict’s Abbey Church. Please consider the limited seating and restrict the number of family who attend this Mass.

President’s Reception: After Mass

The President’s Reception will immediately follow Baccalaureate Mass. Graduates, along with their family and friends, will have the opportunity to mingle with faculty and staff as guests of President Stephen D. Minnis and the Benedictine College Administration. The President’s Reception will take place in the Murphy Recreation Center. Food will be available, along with a cash bar.

Continental Breakfast: Saturday, May 17 @ 7:30 a.m.

There will be a Continental Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Murphy Recreation Center. There is no charge for this breakfast.

Graduate Line-Up: Saturday, May 17 @ 9:00 a.m.

Graduates line up outside the Abbey Church. Each graduate should pick up a reader card from the college staff located at the lineup. The graduates will begin the march to the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium at 9:40 a.m.

Out of respect for the graduates and other guests, there will be no seating in the Commencement venue after 9:40 a.m. until after the graduates have processed in and are seated. Commencement will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Saturday, May 17 @ 10:00 a.m.

Commencement will be in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. For guests who cannot come to campus for Commencement or who cannot attend in person in the gym, there will be multiple livestream and simulcast options.

Academic Regalia

Graduates should have received caps, gowns and tassels at Grad Finale.

Alcohol Policy

Please show respect for the celebrations of other families and be aware of the presence of young people. Guests of legal age who choose to drink alcohol agree to consume it only in their individual rooms thereby respecting the College’s policy.

Account Balances

Transcripts will be held until account balances are paid in full. You may always view the detailed activity of your student account on the RavenZone. You may also contact Student Billing staff in the College Business Office by calling 913.360.7405 or 913.360.7407.

Diplomas will be Digital and Printed

Both a digital version and a printed version of your diploma will be available. The digital version will be sent to you via email on or shortly after Commencement, and the printed version will arrive by mail approximately two weeks later. Learn More

Display your achievement! The official Benedictine College diploma frame is available at The Raven Store.

Graduate Photos

Graduates will receive an email 2 weeks after Commencement with information about available digital and print photo packages for their graduation photos. The Senior Class Photo will be taken immediately following Champagne Brunch and graduates will receive a link via email to be able to download the photo for $1.00.

Livestreams and Simulcast Locations

For guests who cannot come to campus for Commencement events or who cannot attend in person in the event locations, we will be providing multiple livestream and simulcast options.

Professional Commencement Recordings

To order a video record of commencement, please contact Act-1 Productions using this contact form.