As the last stretch of finals and essays is soon to happen, there are many additional details for graduates who are preparing for their upcoming graduation ceremonies and celebrations.

Due to St. Edward’s University’s growing class sizes, there will be two graduation commencement ceremonies: one for traditional undergraduate students and one for New College and Graduate students that will be held at different locations on May 9.

The traditional undergraduate graduation ceremony will begin Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Frank Erwin Center. The keynote address will be delivered by the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

The New College and graduate graduation ceremony will follow at 4 p.m. at St. Edward’s in the Recreation & Convocation Center. The keynote address will be delivered by associate professor of environmental science and policy Peter Beck, along with student Rolando Perez.

Family and friends who cannot be in attendance the day of the ceremony have the option of watching online, free of charge. Both commencements will also be streamed in Jones Auditorium the day of. Commencement videos will be archived and easily accessible after graduation.

Flash Photography will photograph each graduate twice as they exit the stage at the commencement ceremony. Within a week of the ceremony, free proofs will be mailed to each graduate. Photos can then be ordered online from www.flashphotography.com using Department Code: P313.

As far as cap and gowns, graduating students can continue to place orders online at the St. Edward’s Bookstore website or directly in the store. Graduation bundles include the cap, gown, hood and tassel. Bachelor bundles are $74.99 and Master bundles are $77.99.

Other celebrations and events are in chronological order below.

For the month of April, the school-wide End of the Year Party is being put together by the University Programming Board on April 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the Holy Cross Lawn.

There will be graduation practice on May 7th from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Mabee Ballroom, Ragsdale Center. At 5 p.m., graduates will then participate in the Hilltop Send-Off, put together by the Transitional Experiences Council.

Graduates will take their Legacy Walk around campus then participate in the Red Door Revelry by walking through the historic red doors of Main Building as a symbol of academic completion and entrance into the St. Edward’s alumni community.

“The part of graduation I’m looking most forward to is the legacy walk because I started my St. Edward’s journey at the medallion ceremony and walk, so walking out with the rest of my graduating class to take on our world will be like completing the cycle,” senior Michael Cimino says.

As graduates exit the red doors, they will be greeted by faculty, staff and alumni, have a champagne toast with St. Edward’s President George E. Martin, and hear a prayer especially written for the graduating class.

On May 8, the Baccalaureate Mass will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Recreation & Convocation Center. The celebrant at the Baccalaureate Mass will be Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin. All graduates and their families and friends are invited to attend regardless of their religion.

As previously stated, the graduation ceremonies both occur on May 9.

In regards to graduation day, senior Laura Youngblood says, “Emotionally, I am very ready. I know that I will be able to find a job, even if I don’t get one right before graduation.”

June 1 is the deadline for all St. Edward’s credits and Spring 2015 transfer credits to be received in the Office of the Registrar. Diplomas will be released on July 10.

Visit http://think.stedwards.edu/registrar/graduation-spring-2015 for more information.