SLU Spring 2022 Commencement: What to Know About This Year’s Events

05/13/2022

Saint Louis University will celebrate the accomplishments of May 2022 graduates with a return to an in-person commencement ceremony, preceded by in-person precommencements for each individual college and school.

A number of events are planned throughout the week to celebrate the Class of 2022.  Many events will also livestream to slu.edu, SLU's YouTube Channel and to Facebook. 

Precommencement Ceremonies

Before the main commencement ceremony, individual schools and colleges will host their own precommencement ceremonies. Those ceremonies give spring graduates a chance to walk across the stage and be recognized. 

The precommencement ceremonies will kick off Wednesday, May 18, with the School for Professional Studies ceremony. 

A complete schedule of precommencement ceremonies can be found on the commencement website.  

All precommencement ceremonies will be livestreamed.

Baccalaureate Mass 

The entire Saint Louis University community is invited to a Baccalaureate Mass in celebration of the 2022 graduates.

The celebration will be on Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier College Church and will stream live on SLU's YouTube channel. 

David Suwalsky, Ph.D., S.J., Vice President for Mission and Identity, will preside and Matthew Baugh, S.J., Director of the Catholic Studies Center, will deliver the homily.

Toast to the Class of 2022

The Toast to the Class of 2022 reception offers Saint Louis University’s newest graduates the opportunity to mingle with their friends and classmates from all of SLU’s colleges and schools. It features light hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast led by University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
 
The annual event will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass.  The event will be at the University’s Dolphin Pond (off West Pine Mall near Grand Boulevard) or inside Grand Dining in the event of rain.

Families are welcome. No RSVP is required.

Commencement Details

The commencement ceremony will be in-person this year after going all virtual in 2021. The ceremony will be Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m. in Chaifetz Arena. The ceremony will be livestreamed. 

Andrés Gallegos, J.D. (Law ’93), has been tabbed to deliver the address at Saint Louis University’s May 2022 Commencement Ceremony. Gallegos is the chair of the National Council on Disability – the non-partisan federal agency that advises the president, Congress, and federal agencies on policy matters affecting persons with disabilities in the United States and its territories. 

In addition to delivering the commencement address, Gallegos will join four others in receiving honorary degrees.

Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. (A&S ’82) is being recognized with an honorary degree for his commitment to creating inclusive learning environments for the next generation of visionary leaders and life-long learners. Crawford was named president of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma,  Washington in 2016. 

Patrick P. Lee (Parks ’59) is receiving an honorary degree for his commitment to sharing his success with others and supporting those who care for those with mental health issues. Lee earned his degree in aerospace engineering from Saint Louis University Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology in 1959. In 2007 he established the Patrick P. Lee Foundation. This private charitable foundation provides funding for initiatives to advance education and improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Joan and John Vatterott are receiving honorary degrees for their commitment to social justice and helping underserved students find their path through education. John Vatterott is an Arts of Sciences Class of 1965 graduate. In 1969, John Vatterott established Vatterott College — a network of trade schools stretching across the Midwest. The education educational network was sold in 2003. In retirement, John and Joan Vatterott put their energies full time into charitable work through the Joan and John Vatterott Foundation. They have provided funding to numerous non-profit organizations during the last two decades, primarily in the St. Louis area.