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2023 Commencement

HUZZAH!!! Let us commence!

At the Ave Maria School of Law Annual Commencement Exercises, prospective graduates cross a threshold, shifting from efforts dedicated to preparing to become a member of the legal profession to the opportunity to apply that knowledge. The events not only recognize the completion of the educational program, they provide an opportunity for our graduates to reflect upon their accomplishment and acknowledge the support of their family and friends.

2024 Commencement Speaker:

TBA

2024 Student Commencement Speaker: TBA

Commencement Schedule 2024

Friday, May 10 Baccalaureate Mass
6 p.m., St. Agnes Catholic Church

Sunday, May 12 Commencement Exercises
1 p.m. Artis-Naples

Instructions

Graduation Fair

The Graduation Fair is scheduled for Friday, February 9, 2024.  Prospective graduates will receive an appointment time to be photographed and order regalia and other graduation-related merchandise.  The Commencement Information Form and Bar Course Commitment Form will be collected, including ticket reservations for the Commencement Exercises.

Commencement Tickets

Guests attending the 2024 Commencement Exercises are required to present a ticket for admission to the Artis-Naples this year. Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance. Seating is not assigned. Wheelchair seating is available. Candidates for graduation may request up to six (6) guest tickets using the Commencement Information Form at the Graduation Fair on February 11. Children who are less than 30 inches tall do not need a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests.

Additional ticket requests will be maintained by Dean Castro at kcastro@avemarialaw.edu. Candidates who anticipate they may use fewer tickets than they reserved on the Commencement Information Form are encouraged to notify Dean Castro so that those tickets can be made available to others. Commencement tickets may not be sold or copied.

Tickets will be distributed during cap and gown distribution.

Regalia Pickup and Return

Candidates will pick up their cap and gown from reception in the Administration Building, Dean’s Suite.  Hoods will be presented during the Commencement Exercises.

All regalia must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples.

Wearing Regalia

Candidates should report for both the Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Exercises in cap and gown.  The tassel should be worn on the right front of the cap. Students will be hooded as they cross the stage.

Baccalaureate Mass Instructions

Students of all faiths are encouraged to attend.  Participants should report no later than 5:30 p.m. to St. Agnes Catholic Church.  Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during Mass.  Mass begins at 6 p.m.  During the Baccalaureate Mass, men should remove their caps at the end of the Opening Hymn and replace them at the end of the Mass at the beginning of the Recessional Hymn.

Commencement Exercises

The doors to the Artis-Naples open at noon on Sunday, May 12.  Candidates for graduation should report no later than 12:15 p.m. (45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony).  The Marshals will arrange candidates in alphabetical order and distribute name cards to be handed to the announcer before crossing the stage.  Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during the ceremony.

The Marshals will lead candidates to reserved seating in the auditorium.  Candidates remain standing until after the Invocation.  Men should remove caps during the National Anthem, the Invocation and later during the Benediction.

When it is time for each candidate to approach the stage, the Marshal will indicate when a particular row is to stand.  Candidates proceed to the stage, hand the name card to the announcer, proceed to the hooding table and then cross the stage.

At the end of the ceremony, the faculty will exit first.  The Marshals will lead the candidates from the auditorium.

Merchandise

Graduation Announcements, Class Rings, and Diploma Frames are available for purchase.  Orders can be placed at the Graduation Fair as well as other times of the year.  A sample diploma frame is on display in the Bookstore.

Order regalia and other items from Herff-Jones at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation

Cap and Gown Rental

Graduates are required to wear graduation regalia consisting of a Doctor of Law gown, tam, and hood with our school colors. Students will order their regalia online.

The regalia is a rental unit and must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples. Graduates may keep the tassel and tam as a souvenir.

Graduation Announcements

Graduation Announcements are personalized with the graduate’s name and degree incorporated into the body of the announcement text.  All personalized announcement orders will be shipped via UPS. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Class Rings

Among the traditions of graduating is the right to wear the official Ave Maria School of Law ring, which symbolizes years of achievement, pride, and hard work.  The Ave Maria School of Law ring is an all gold signet ring featuring the official school seal.  The ring may be customized with the graduate’s degree and year of graduation on the sides of the ring.  If preferred, the sides of the ring may be left plain.

Diploma Frames

A line of custom-quality diploma frames that elegantly and distinctively combine the elements of aesthetics and preservation are available to graduates of Ave Maria School of Law.  The frame allows your diploma to be removed and replaced at any time with ease.  Mounting takes only minutes with the enclosed, simple-to-follow instructions.

Students may order from http://avemarialaw.universityframes.com
or
www.herffjones.com/college/graduation

Graduation Photos

A posed photograph of each student in graduation regalia and business attire is taken at the Graduation Fair.  The photograph in regalia attire is used in the composite photograph of the graduating class.  Students have the option to purchase photos. Orders should be placed at the Graduation Fair.

Locations of Events

Baccalaureate Mass 

Friday, May 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
St. Agnes Catholic Church
7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.
Naples, Florida

Directions from the Law School:
Proceed North on Vineyards Blvd to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn right (east) 3 miles to the church entrance, just past Collier Blvd on the left.

Commencement Exercises

Sunday, May 12, 2024, 1 p.m.
Artis-Naples
5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard S.
Naples, Florida

Directions from the Law School:
Proceed north on Vineyards Blvd. to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn left (west) 4.6 miles to US-41 (Tamiami Trail), turn left (south) 2.2 miles to Pelican Bay Blvd., turn right.

Hotel Information

Commencement

The following information is provided to facilitate arrangements for hotel accommodations for you and your guests on Commencement Weekend.

Best Western Naples Inn & Suites

  • (239) 261-1148, ext. 409
  • 2329 9th St. North, Naples, FL 34103

Fairfield Inn & Suites

  • (239)530-3355
  • 3808 White Lake Blvd, Naples, FL 34117

Hampton Inn Naples I-75

  • (239)596-1299
  • 2630 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, Naples, FL 34119

Hawthorn Suites

  • (239)593-1300
  • or toll free at (800)267-0451
  • 3557 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109

Inn at Pelican Bay

  • (239) 597-8777
  • Toll-Free 800-597-8770
  • 800 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, FL 34108

Naples Bay Resort

  • (239)530-1199
  • toll free at (866)605-1199
  • 1500 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102 – (in the heart of historic downtown Naples and close to the beach.)

Residence Inn

  • (239)659-1300
  • 4075 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34103

Home 2 Suites by Hilton

  • (239) 598-2222
  • 3685 Kramer Drive, Naples, FL 34109

Ritz Carlton Golf Resort

  • (239)593-2000 
  • (800)241-3333
  • 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples, Florida 34109

Springhill Suites

  • (239)352-2234
  • 3798 White Lake Blvd, Naples, FL 34117

Alternative Hotels within 10 Miles of Ave Maria School of Law:

Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel, 6400 Dudley Drive, Naples, FL (239) 643-6655

Courtyard by Marriott, 3250 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL (239) 434-8700

Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239) 430-4900

La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL (239) 597-3123

Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL (239) 227-2182

The Ritz Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, FL (239) 598-3300

Photographs from our 2023 Commencement & Mass

Commencement 2023

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(239) 687-5300