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Commencement Ceremony

Celebrating Over 100 Years of Tradition

For more than 100 years, the Rosemont College community has celebrated graduation commencement with rich traditions that honor the extraordinary achievements of our graduates. This significant milestone, which students have worked so diligently to reach, is shared with friends, family, faculty, staff, and all those who have supported them along their journey.

Graduation commencement is not just a ceremony; it’s a heartfelt celebration of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our students, marking the beginning of their next chapter. Join us in honoring their success and being part of this timeless tradition.

President Jim Cawley handing a diploma to a recent graduate with Rathalla in the distant background to represent how graduates are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

The Event

The annual Graduation Commencement Ceremony at Rosemont College is held outdoors on Connelly Green in mid May and is listed on the college’s events calendar. Event details will be available on our commencement news feed.

All graduating students (Undergraduate College, Graduate Studies, and School of Professional Studies) can attend the annual “Grad Fair” in early May to pick up their cap and gown. A photographer will capture each graduate’s special moment. Photos can be ordered online after the ceremony, so guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the event. To ensure an unobstructed view and maintain safety, prohibited items include signs, flags, banners, large balloon displays, alcoholic beverages, coolers, controlled substances, and weapons of any kind. Any such items brought to campus will be confiscated.

A family outside taking photos with a graduate at a graduation ceremony. The center features a graduate in a wheelchair to represent how parents, friends & family are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Parking, Seating & Virtual Attendance

Parking on campus will be limited; it’s advisable to arrive early and follow instructions from public safety officers. Carpooling, rideshares, or public transportation are encouraged if possible. Guests attending the Commencement Ceremony who need handicapped parking accommodations are asked to email the Office of Public Safety: [email protected]

Seating is not reserved, and tickets are not required for attendance. However, seating is on a first come, first served basis. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on Rosemont College’s Vimeo profile, the Commencement Showcase, and you can check the Commencement news feed for the latest news. This allows friends, family, and supporters to join in celebrating the graduates’ achievements from anywhere!

Parents and their daughter in a graduation cap in gown smiling and holding each others arms to represent how parents are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Volunteer

Alumni and friends are invited to volunteer for all commencement events, helping to make these special occasions even more memorable. Your involvement can significantly enhance the experience for graduating students and their families.

To volunteer for commencement events, please send an email to: [email protected]

Corporate sponsored volunteering opportunies are avaialable. By volunteering, you contribute to the success of these events and continue to strengthen the bond within the Rosemont community.

Up to Date & Local Information

For the most up to date information on graduation commencement and graduation events, as well as details on the school events calendar, directions, and local information for friends and family, see below and visit our blog. Make sure to show your Rosemont College spirit by wearing your favorite Rosemont swag! Get ready to cheer on your graduate and be part of the celebration!

Front entrance of Rosemont College Chapel of the Immaculate Conception against a blue sky which is part of why Rosemont College is Forbes rated best online college, and a best mainline college.

Baccalaureatte Mass

Rosemont College’s Graduation Commencement Celebrations begin with the Baccalaureate Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Look on the Rosemont College commencement news feed for details. All graduating students, families, faculty, trustees, and staff are invited to attend this special celebration. This special celebration is a meaningful way to begin the graduation commencement festivities, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude for the accomplishments of the graduating class.

Rathalla lit at night against a sunset sky with fireworks to represent how campus is part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best mainline college.

Celebrate Your Graduate

 

At the Rosemont College Graduation Commencement Ceremony, the Commencement Group will offer a variety of items for sale, including bouquets of roses, class shirts, and other graduation gifts. To view the selection and pre order gifts in advance, please visit their website below. Additional swag can be purchased in the Official Rosement Store. This allows graduates, families, and friends to prepare and purchase commemorative items to celebrate this special occasion.

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joanna McClinton smiling as she delivers the 2024 commencement address at the podium to represent how commencement speakers are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Graduation Commencement Speakers

Rosemont College has a rich history of hosting remarkable leaders as commencement speakers. Among them, Joe Biden, who as a US Senator from Delaware, spoke at the ceremony before his tenure as Vice President and President of the United States. More recently, Rosemont welcomed Representative Joanna McClinton, the first female and black Pennsylvania State Speaker of the House, as a distinguished commencement speaker.

Notably, John F. Kennedy, then a US Senator from Massachusetts, attended a Rosemont College commencement where his sister, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, graduated. Each year, Rosemont eagerly anticipates announcing its annual commencement speaker, continuing the tradition of inviting influential figures and guests reflective of the Rosemont Community to inspire and celebrate with the college community.

Rosemont College Gertrude Kistler Memorial Library is part of why Rosemont College is Forbes rated best online college, and a best mainline college.

Inclement Weather Information

Please note the following regarding the Graduation Commencement Ceremony at Rosemont College:

  • Location: The ceremony will be held outside on Connelly Green, weather permitting.
  • Rain Preparedness: In the event of rain, guests are advised to come prepared with umbrellas and low heeled footwear.
  • Clear Plastic Ponchos: Graduates and members of the platform party will be provided with clear plastic ponchos if it rains.
  • Indoor Contingency: The ceremony will only be moved indoors if there is severe weather posing a safety threat (such as lightning, hail, or high winds). 

Your understanding and readiness for varying weather conditions ensure a smooth and enjoyable Graduation Commencement experience for all participants. Sign up for emergency notifications.

3 smiling students featuring a caucasian male student being pushed in a wheelchair to represent how Disability Services and ADA Accommodations are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Special Needs & Accommodations for Guests

For guests attending the Graduation Commencement Ceremony at Rosemont College who require handicapped parking accommodations, please follow these instructions:

Request Accommodations: Email the Office of Public Safety at  [email protected] at least one week prior to the scheduled graduation commencement ceremony date. Please include your specific needs and contact information in your email.

Usher Assistance: Ushers will be available to assist guests with seating arrangements to ensure a comfortable experience during the ceremony.

Ensuring accessible accommodations is important to us, and we appreciate your proactive approach in requesting these services in advance. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Public Safety.

A crowd seated inside Rathalla for an admissions event to represent how admissions is part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best mainline college.
View of a commence ceremony crowd to represent how commencement is a part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Spectator Information

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees at Rosemont College’s Graduation Commencement, we kindly request your cooperation with the following guidelines:

No Obstructive Items: Signs, flags, placards, banners, and large balloon displays are not permitted to ensure all guests have an unobstructed view of the ceremony.

Prohibited Items: The following items are strictly prohibited:

    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Coolers
    • Controlled substances
    • Wrapped gifts/packages
    • Artificial noisemakers (including whistles, airhorns, or bullhorns)
    • Firearms, fireworks, knives, scissors, needles, razor blades, or any weapons

Confiscation Policy: Any prohibited items brought to campus that pose a safety threat or cause disruption will be confiscated. The possessor will be asked to leave the campus.

Your cooperation with these guidelines helps us ensure a safe and respectful environment for our graduates, their families, and all guests attending graduation commencement. Thank you for helping us celebrate this special occasion smoothly and joyfully.

The Rosemont Experience

At Rosemont, we believe that no matter what discipline you study, effective communication and problem solving are cornerstones to success. That’s why students take classes across multiple disciplines—to learn to approach complex situations from multiple angles. We also recognize the importance of real world experience in preparing you for a career. In fact, every student engages in at least one internship, volunteer effort, or service learning opportunity.

A diverse group of students on either side of Renny the Raven inside the Community Center to represent how Undergraduate, Professional Studies and Graduate Studies students are part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

In the Heart of Suburban Philadelphia's Iconic Main Line

  • Beautiful 58 acre Main Line campus located in serene suburban Philadelphia.
  • Access to world class advanced degree programs through exclusive partnerships.
  • Rooted in Catholicism we welcome all faiths and beliefs.
  • 14 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s sports teams.
  • Coveted 11:1 student to faculty ratio providing an unparalleled educational experience.
  • An average class size of 13 ensures a high caliber, personalized education.

Instrumental Science to Become a Physician

"I have wanted to be a doctor since high school. Rosemont and the science program have been instrumental in my path to becoming a physician. Dr. Skokotas has guided me and helped me in many ways. I’m so thankful for the supportive environment and opportunities that Rosemont offered!"

- Archana Ganta
Rosemont College Biology Alumni

Individual Attention & an Invaluable Skill Set

“The Chemistry department at Rosemont College prepared me for my career by providing me with research opportunities which gave me basic lab skills that were the foundation for my career in chemistry. I also believe the most beneficial parts of my Rosemont education were the small class sizes and individual attention. Because of this, I was given many opportunities to give presentations in class, receiving feedback on my public speaking skills and ways to calm my nerves. My professors gave me an invaluable skill set: to present myself, my research, and my ideas to the world confidently and clearly.”

- Lauren Profitt
Rosemont College Chemistry Alumni

Abundance of Opportunities

"Rosemont College has provided me with an abundance of opportunities that I would not have found anywhere else. I've been able to take the information from my courses and apply it to the real world. The hands on experience has been critical in helping me find my path. Between my internship at the Montgomery County Coroner's Office and the classes I've taken during my tenure at Rosemont, I believe that I'm well equipped for what lies ahead!"

- Gabby Godwin
Rosemont College Criminology Alumni

Mentoring That Makes Dream Jobs a Reality

“Being an elementary school teacher has been my dream since I was in first grade. Now, I’m teaching in that same school district! Rosemont’s Education program helped make my dream a reality thanks to the mentorship provided by my professors. They worked closely with me during my classes and student teaching to make sure I was successful, and their familiarity with local schools was a huge help in my job search. My classmates were extremely supportive, too. Even after graduation, we’ve all stayed in touch and support one another as we begin our careers.”   

- Frankie DiGironimo
Rosemont College Education Alumni

A Competitive Edge

“The summer before my senior year, I was encouraged to apply for an internship at a rare book museum in Philadelphia. Prior to applying for this internship, I doubted whether I was qualified for such a role, but I was encouraged by the faculty--especially within the English department. Without their support, I would not have had the confidence to apply nor the competitive edge needed to land the internship. Within the college, I was granted work experience through the library and college archives which continues to aid me as I am working in my graduate studies. Even now, I feel like the English department continues to support my academic pursuits and their mentorship and guidance is invaluable.”

- Hope Smalley
Rosemont College English and Communication Alumni

Enhanced Skills

“My time in the History department enhanced my research, writing, and public speaking skills. My professors’ rich and engaging courses instilled in me a deep passion for the subject matter. Through class trips to museums, I started to favor an object based approach to history that I pursued in my graduate studies.”

- Mary Manfredi, Registrar at Sotheby’s
Rosemont College History Alumni

Innovative Skills That Land Media Jobs

“Rosemont's New Media Communication program has prepared me for the multiple achievements I’ve already experienced in my career. I developed journalism skills that allowed me to be innovative in the news environment, which helped me land my current position as an assistant producer at KYW News Radio.”

- Talaya Martin-Green
Rosemont College New Media Communication Alumni

Rigorous Set of Skills

"One of the greatest benefits of studying philosophy is acquiring a uniquely rigorous set of skills. These skills are both personal and intellectual, allowing you to decipher day to day events in a distinctive yet grounded way. It provides a way of thinking that increases your ability to think clearly about your personal problems and your professional challenges. More than this, philosophy complements and enhances the broadest range of interests and responsibilities, whether they are intellectual or in the workplace. At the end of the day, studying philosophy puts you in the unique position of being able to not only understand your own beliefs more clearly, but also in recognizing the problems and potential you carry in your everyday life."

- Vincent Carchidi
Rosemont College Philosophy Alumni

Complex Insight

"I’m a Sociology major, and some may not realize the complexity of the subject because you’re studying people. But after learning about it for the past few years and navigating my way through different situations, I feel like I’ve gained insight into the inner workings of our society and culture. I also feel that I have grown into a well rounded and fully me person."

- Casandra Antzoulatos 
Rosemont College Sociology Alumni

Invested in You

"I have recently graduated and just landed a job with a big four accounting firm. The most powerful lesson I learned at Rosemont is that when a community invests in your success, you have the responsibility to give it your all. Over the course of my undergraduate career, I have worked diligently to develop skills to be successful. I am currently pursuing my CPA licensure in Pennsylvania."

- Brandon Jones
Rosemont College Accounting Alumni

"What one is called to do, one is called to do with all their might."

Inspiration from the Venerable Cornelia Connelly, Foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus,

the Sponsoring Congregation of Rosemont College

Rosemont College Seal with a transparent background to represent how Rosemont College is a Forbes rated best online college, and a best Main Line college.

Find Your Voice. Expand Your World. Transform Your Future.

Your potential is limitless.  Join us to unlock it.  At Rosemont, you'll have access to mentorship, rigorous academics, and a supportive community that will empower you to reach and achieve your short term and long term personal and professional ambitions.  Take the first step toward finding your voice, by expanding your world at Rosemont and transform your future today!