The College is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 alongside their family, friends, mentors, faculty, and staff.
The College of the Holy Cross will celebrate its 179th Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 23, 2025. Please see a complete listing of Commencement events below that we hope families are able to join.
Schedule of Events
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
Mosaic Celebration
5:00-7:00 p.m.
The Prior Performing Arts Center, Beehive
This event honors and celebrates students of color, first-generation students, and international students of the Class of 2025 for their achievements and contributions to the College community. Hosted by the Division of Justice, Equity, Belonging, and Identity (JEBI). Invite only.
ASL interpreter provided
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
Senior Portraits
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Fenwick Hall Porch
Photographer Robert Carlin will be on campus to capture professional photos of you and your classmates in your academic regalia on the historic Commencement Porch, located at the front of Fenwick Hall. Photos will be available for free download. Please note, these are not the same as the yearbook photos.
Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Smith Hall, Rehm Library
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society will hold the 2025 induction ceremony to welcome new members to Pi of Massachusetts, the Holy Cross Chapter. A number of students will be inducted into this prestigious honor society. Family, friends, faculty, and students are welcome.
ASL interpreter provided
NROTC Commissioning Ceremony
11:00 a.m.-noon
Kimball Hall, Seelos Theater
This traditional ceremony awards commissions in the United States Navy and Marine Corps to students graduating through the NROTC program at the College of the Holy Cross. The NROTC program includes cross-town enrollment students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, and Brown University.
ASL interpreter provided
Awards Ceremony
12:30 p.m.
Dinand Library, Main Reading Room
Senior Academic Awards and Prizes will be presented by Sarah Petty, dean for the Class of 2025; and the Presidential Service Awards will be presented by President Vincent D. Rougeau, assisted by Michele C. Murray, Senior Vice President for Student Development and Mission. This event will be available via livestream.
ASL interpreter provided
Baccalaureate Mass
3:00 p.m.
Fitton Football Stadium
This annual liturgy of celebration, blessing, and thanksgiving is open to all seniors, their families, and guests. All faith traditions and beliefs are most welcome and there is no limit to the number of guests who may attend. Members of our Jesuit community will preside and preach, while students, faculty, and staff of the College will serve as our ministers and musicians. This event will be available via livestream.
Fitton Football Stadium is an outdoor venue. As guests are planning, please note that the weather at the end of May is often quite warm, and that getting onto the field requires navigating grass and uneven ground. For elderly guests and those with limited mobility, accessibility information can be found on the accessibility page, including transportation and access to the football stadium. In the event of inclement weather, Baccalaureate Mass will be moved indoors.
ASL interpreter provided
Last Sunset on The Hill
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Hogan Campus Center, Hoval
Members of the Class of 2025 and their families are invited to gather and enjoy one final sunset on The Hill. The event will include live music, light food, and refreshments. There is no cost to attend this event.
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025
179th Commencement Exercises
10:15 a.m.
DCU Center
The College will celebrate the 179th Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2025 with graduates and guests. Please join Vincent D. Rougeau, president of the College, in honoring the achievements of our graduates. There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend Commencement. However, this year, all guests will be required to have a ticket for entry into the DCU Center. See additional details in the Ticketing section below.
Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The procession of graduates will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. The ceremony is expected to be approximately two-and-a-half hours. This event will also be available via livestream.
ASL interpreter provided
Commencement Reception
Immediately following the ceremony
DCU Center Convention Hall
Graduates and their guests will have the opportunity to celebrate with faculty and staff. A light fare menu will be served.
On-Campus Housing and Hotel Accommodations
We advise guests to book hotels early. Here is a list of College partner hotels.
A limited number of on-campus rooms are available for family housing on Thursday, May 22. Rooms will be available on a first come, first served basis. Each room has two twin-size beds. Please note, rooms do have air conditioning and private bathrooms. UPDATE: At this time on-campus housing is SOLD-OUT. Please email commence@holycross.edu if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
Commencement at the DCU Center
Tickets
There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend Commencement. However, this year, all guests will be required to have a ticket for entry into the DCU Center. Tickets are free and will be delivered digitally. Graduates will receive a link to claim their tickets via the Tassel system and then be able to electronically distribute them to their guests. Graduates will be emailed additional details and instructions from commence@holycross.edu. Graduates should claim tickets by Friday, May 16.
Tickets only allow entry into the DCU Center. Once inside, there are no assigned seats for the ceremony. All seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please note: due to the ticketing software, ticket registration is limited to 10 guests at a time. If graduates plan to have more than 10 guests in attendance, they can submit this information when they register for Commencement in the Tassel system.
Transportation for Graduates
Graduates will be transported from Hogan 3 to the DCU Center for Commencement. Graduates are expected to arrive at Hogan by 8:30 a.m. to be transported. Those traveling on their own must arrive at the DCU Center no later than 9:00 a.m.
Parking
The DCU Center partners with a variety of parking garages in the surrounding area. A complete list of these locations can be found on the DCU Center website. Please ensure that you leave ample time to park and to be seated in the DCU Center by 9:30 a.m.
Entering the DCU Center
All guests must enter the DCU Center through the main entrance (pictured left) at the intersection of Major Taylor Blvd and Foster Street. Guests should be prepared for and leave ample time for metal detector screening.
Prohibited Items
Please note, the DCU Center does have a No Bag Policy. Small purses/wristlets of a MAXIMUM SIZE of 8x10 inches will be permitted. Medical bags and diaper bags will be allowed and must be checked prior to entry. Other items, including signs, helium balloons, umbrellas, and outside food/beverages are also prohibited. Please see the DCU Center website for a complete listing of prohibited items.
Additional Information
Commencement Photos
During the Commencement ceremony, GradImages will be photographing graduates. Each graduate will have their photo taken with the president as they cross the stage, and also once they exit the stage. Proofs of these will be available after the ceremony. You will be able to purchase prints and/or digital copies of the images.
Local Restaurants
Please note: dinner will not be available on campus Thursday evening; however, there are a few reception options with light fare. Worcester has many wonderful restaurants. Visit Discover Central Mass for a listing of local options. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Residence Hall Move Out
Graduating seniors will need to completely move out of the residence halls by 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025. Residence Life and Housing recommends that students begin to pack up their spaces before graduation to make the move-out process smoother. More information will be shared with graduates in early February.
Students from further distances who have questions or concerns related to the move-out timeline should reach out to Residence Life and Housing via email at reslife@holycross.edu.
Hometown Publicity
The College will create and distribute a press release to the hometown news outlets, high schools, and local elected officials of every 2025 graduate. See the Merit Pages FAQ for more detailed information.
Class Photo
Prints and framed copies of the Class of 2025 photo taken on move-in day can be purchased at panfoto.com.
Class Rings
The College works with Herff Jones for the ordering of class rings. Class rings can be ordered online. Periodically, Herff Jones is on campus outside of the College Store in the Hogan Campus Center. For more information, please contact hcstore@holycross.edu.
Yearbook And Senior Portraits
The Class of 2025 yearbook is available for purchase online. Feb. 28 is the last day personalization will be offered. Parents of the Class of 2025 can purchase a parent ad in the yearbook and share a special message using this online form. Learn more about parent ads.
The Purple Patcher Yearbook Club works in collaboration with the Office of Student Involvement to coordinate senior photos for the yearbook and yearbook sales. Please contact patcher@g.holycross.edu or their advisor, Jennifer Feraud '21 at Jferaud@holycross.edu with questions.
Questions?
Please check out the frequently asked questions section of the Commencement website or contact us commence@holycross.edu or 508-793-3475.