SLU 2024 Commencement Events Kick Off Wednesday

05/10/2024

Saint Louis University will celebrate the accomplishments of graduates with the spring 2024 commencement ceremony, preceded by in-person precommencements for each individual college and school.

The spring 2024 commencement ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Chaifetz Arena. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

Commencement events will kick off Wednesday, May 15, with the first round of precommencement ceremonies.

Commencement Details

The spring 2024 commencement ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Chaifetz Arena. The event also will stream live on slu.edu, on Saint Louis University's YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Jon Hamm will deliver the May 2024 Commencement address at Saint Louis University. Submitted Photo.

Emmy-award-winning actor Jon Hamm will return to his hometown of St. Louis to deliver the spring commencement address this year at Saint Louis University. Hamm won acclaim for his portrayal of the high-powered advertising executive Don Draper on AMC's award-winning drama series "Mad Men."

Hamm attended John Burroughs School in Ladue, where he was a member of the football, baseball, and swim teams. After graduating, he headed to the University of Missouri and received his Bachelor of Arts in English.

Hamm also has been a supporter of numerous charities including the Alzheimer’s Association, Cancer Research Institute, Stand Up To Cancer and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hamm also helped local organizations like the St. Louis County Library Foundation and St. Louis Actor’s Studio Small Professional Theater Sustainment Fund raise money during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In addition to delivering the commencement address, Hamm will join three SLU alums in receiving honorary degrees. Fr. P. Maria Joseph Christie, S.J. (CSB ’99) and Susan E. Klepper, Ph.D. (Doisy ’66) and William M. Klepper, Ph.D.  (Arts and Sciences ’66).

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.

Precommencement ceremonies kick off on Wednesday, May 15, and will run through Friday, May 17. A complete schedule of precommencement ceremonies can be found on the commencement webpage.

Baccalaureate Mass

The University’s annual Baccalaureate Mass is an opportunity for the SLU community to give thanks to God for the gifts and opportunities bestowed upon graduates and to pray for their continued protection as they are sent out for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity. This year’s Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, in St. Francis Xavier College Church.