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Commencement Speaker

Shabana Basij-Rasikh, the co-founder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), will provide the Commencement address to the Class of 2026. (Photo courtesy of SOLA)

Shabana Basij-Rasikh

Shabana Basij- Rasikh, an internationally recognized advocate for girls鈥� education will deliver the Commencement address to the Saint Michael鈥檚 College Class of 2026.听

Basij-Rasikh is the co-founder and president of , the first and only boarding school for Afghan girls. She founded the school while a student at Middlebury College, driven by her experience pursuing her own education in Afghanistan under threat of punishment or death. A graduate of Middlebury College and Oxford University, Basij-Rasikh is widely recognized for her courageous leadership and commitment to advancing girls鈥� education.

Basij-Rasikh鈥檚 commitment to education is deeply personal. As a child living under Taliban rule, she attended secret schools in Kabul, risking her life to pursue learning.听This commitment later took her to the U.S. for a year of high school, and then to Middlebury College, where she graduated听magna cum laude听in International Studies and Women & Gender Studies.

SOLA听operated听for years in Kabul until the return of the Taliban in 2021. Basij-Rasikh led the evacuation of her entire school community to Rwanda at that point, where classes resumed just days after their arrival. SOLA continues to educate Afghan girls in exile听worldwide听through its online academy听SOLAx. Construction of a new campus in Rwanda is underway, and this campus is scheduled to open later this year.

Basij-Rasikh鈥檚 leadership and advocacy have been celebrated globally. Her many honors include the Malalai Medal, one of Afghanistan鈥檚 highest national awards; the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year; and inclusion on Forbes鈥� 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Honorary Degree Recipients

Donald R. 鈥淒on鈥� Dion, Jr. 鈥�76

Don Dion ’76

Dion is a former CPA, attorney, corporate executive, founder of multiple successful financial firms, and one of Saint Michael鈥檚 most generous living benefactors. His leadership spans decades of contributions to law, finance, and philanthropy. He founded or co-founded several companies throughout his career, including Litchfield Financial Corporation (1987, later听acquired听by Textron Financial) and Dion Money Management (mid-1990s, later sold to Focus Financial Partners). Most recently, he served as CEO of Inland Management Corporation and Corbel Capital NLP, LLC before retiring in 2023. Today, he leads DRD Investments, LLC, a family office managing a hedge fund and real estate assets.

Dion has served four terms on the Saint Michael鈥檚 College Board of Trustees. Through his visionary philanthropy, he transformed the student experience by providing the naming gift for the College鈥檚 Dion Family Student听Center,听establishing听numerous听scholarships, and supporting听Saint Michael鈥檚 College athletic retreats at Saint Anne鈥檚 Shine. He is a member of the College鈥檚 Heritage Circle and the Society of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Dion graduated from Saint Michael鈥檚 College in 1976 with a degree in business and economics. Additionally, he earned his J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law and an LL.M. in taxation from Boston University School of Law.

Richard E. 鈥淩ich/Richie鈥� Tarrant 鈥�65

Richard “Rich” Tarrant ’65. (Photo courtesy of Tarrant family)

Tarrant, who passed away in 2025, was a pioneering entrepreneur whose company, IDX Systems Corporation, grew into a global leader in healthcare information technology and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995. Following IDX鈥檚 success, Tarrant co-founded Marathon Health, a comprehensive primary care provider, and led Crispus Ventures LLC, investing in healthcare, energy, and technology. He also served as听chairman听and co-founder of Plasma Power and Advanced Petro Technologies.

A philanthropist known for transformative community investments, Tarrant and his wife, Deborah, established the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation to support education, healthcare, and Vermont communities.

At Saint Michael鈥檚, Tarrant鈥檚 legacy includes the naming gift for the Jeremiah L. and Kathleen C. Tarrant Student Recreation Center (in honor of his parents), major scholarship support to expand access to a Saint Michael鈥檚 College education, service on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees, and an enduring reputation as one of the greatest basketball players in College history, having been named to the All American Team in 1965 and drafted by the Boston Celtics upon graduation. His Saint听Michael鈥檚 #22 jersey is retired, and he was a 1987 inductee into the College鈥檚 Athletic Hall of Fame.

Information for Graduates

Students must submit a Graduation Application through KnightVision Self-Service in order to receive information about commencement, and to be eligible for tickets.听 Please direct any follow-up questions to the Registrar鈥檚 Office.

Tickets for Commencement听

Qualified Seniors and graduate students will receive tickets when picking up their caps and gowns. Each eligible student will receive eight (8) tickets for entry into the Ross Sports Center.

Selling tickets is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.鈥� Students who do this will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony and their tickets will be invalidated.鈥� All students should be aware that if they purchase a ticket in this manner, it may not be valid for entry.

The ceremony will be livestreamed.听The link will be on the Commencement website the morning of the ceremony. Non-ticketed guests can view the livestream in McCarthy Arts Center.

Pets are not allowed at the ceremony, except for ADA-certified service animals.

Senior Salute Day: Wednesday, April 22, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Alliot Lobby

Pick up Caps and Gowns

Alliot Student Center Lobby

• Seniors can start picking up their caps, gowns, tassels, tickets at the Senior Salute Day in the Alliot Student Center Lobby. There is no cost to the Seniors.
• Gold Honors tassels for students receiving Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude & cum laude) will be available for pickup.
• Seniors can purchase a class ring from either the听听or听听websites.
• Senior Week tickets and info will be available.

After this date, cap and gown, honors tassels, and tickets can be picked up at the Campus Store.

Saturday, May 9, 2026听

Baccalaureate Mass- 4:00 p.m.

Graduates and their families are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 9th, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel.鈥� Graduates do not march in procession for the Mass and no academic robes are worn for the occasion. Please plan to sit with your families and friends for this important part of the Commencement activities.

Sunday, May 10, 2026

COMMENCEMENT MORNING

Regalia & Tickets

Please pick up your regalia and tickets before Commencement morning. The Bookstore will be open on the morning of Commencement, and staff will do their best to assist with any last minute regalia issues. On the morning of Commencement, tassels should be on the right side of your cap, and should only be moved to the left when President Plumb officially confers your degree. Sashes and cords worn at Commencement typically represent academic honors, leadership roles, or membership in recognized student organizations, and are distributed by the College or sponsoring groups prior to Commencement.

Class Photographs

There will be two class photos: one for grad students, and one for undergrads. Grad students will assemble in front of the Chapel at 8:25 AM, and undergrads will gather on the steps of the Durick Library by 8:55 AM. Please note: if you are not on time for the photo, you will not be in the photo. The photos will be taken at 8:30 and 9:00 respectively 鈥� please plan accordingly.

Name Card Pickup

Your name card is an important part of how this year鈥檚 Commencement ceremony will work. Name cards will be available for pickup outside between Alliot and Joyce from 8:30 AM to 9:40 AM. (You are welcome to pick up your name card before or after the class photos.) IMPORTANT 鈥� Please hold onto your name card until you give it to Registrar鈥檚 Office personnel before crossing the stage during the ceremony.

Lineup for Procession

You will be lining up outside between Alliot and Joyce. You will form two distinct lines for the procession: one for students receiving a Master鈥檚 degree, and one for students receiving a Bachelor鈥檚 degree. You will receive further instructions from VP Dawn Ellinwood and Assistant Dean Kerri Leach during lineup.

Ceremony

10:00 AM 鈥� Ross Sports Center

Moving Out of Residence Halls听

In order to help our Residence Hall and Physical Plant staff prepare for summer occupancy, all rooms should be cleared of student belongings by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.
Please follow the instructions provided by your RA or RD for returning your room and house keys. Mail keys should be returned to the mailroom.

Information for Family, Friends and Guests

Commencement Hotline听

The College offers a Commencement Hotline (phone and e-mail) that will be accessible from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help with whatever questions or information graduating students and their parents may have. Please read our FAQ section before calling the hotline.
Hotline questions can be emailed to鈥�commencement@smcvt.edu鈥痮r you can call 802.654.2216.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Baccalaureate Mass- 4:00 p.m.

Graduates and their families are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 9th, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel.鈥� Graduates do not march in procession for the Mass and no academic robes are worn for the occasion. Please plan to sit with your families and friends for this important part of the Commencement activities.

Location

The ceremony will be held in the Ross Sports Center.

Pets

Pets are not allowed at the ceremony with the exception of ADA certified service animals.

Tickets for Commencement听

Qualified Seniors and graduate students will receive tickets when picking up their caps and gowns on Senior Salute Day, Wednesday, April 22, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Alliot Lobby.

Additional Tickets听

Additional tickets are not guaranteed. Please email: Commencement@smcvt.edu with your student’s name and SMC email. We will put requests on a wait list and contact the student if tickets become available.

Accommodations听

We suspect that most of you have already booked accommodations for Saturday night.鈥� However, please remember also to make local restaurant reservations ahead of time for Saturday and/or Sunday.鈥� Our听Hotel and Accommodations听page鈥� provides information on locations offering discounts for Saint Michael鈥檚 visitors.鈥� You can find additional information on the听听or call 802.863.3489, toll-free at 877.686.5253.

Parking听

Public Safety will be directing parking on the day of Commencement.鈥� You may drop passengers off at the designated area and then park your vehicle.鈥� Disabled parking is available for vehicles displaying disability registration plates or removable windshield placards. Please follow the directions of the public safety officers.

Seating: Ticketed听

Ticket holders should plan to be seated by 9:30 AM.鈥� Please note that tickets are required for children. Seating area opens at 8:30 a.m.听 Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Mass.

Seating: Special Needs听

Our Public Safety and Special Events staff are pleased to direct our ticketed guests with special needs to designated areas. Reservations are not needed. We ask that you plan for one additional family member to sit in that section as well.鈥� Our staff will assist you as necessary.鈥� Please plan to arrive early. Seating area opens at 8:30 a.m. There will be ASL interpreters at the ceremony. Please call ahead for seating close to the interpreters.听 Please note that reserved balcony seating is not wheelchair accessible.

Non-Ticketed guests听

The ceremony will be livestreamed.听 The link will be on the Commencement website the morning of the ceremony. Non-ticketed guests may view the livestream in the McCarthy Arts Center.

Reception听

Immediately following Commencement, the Commencement Reception will be held on Library Lawn.听 Light refreshments will be served.鈥� In case of rain, the reception will be held in the Tarrant Recreation Center.

Items for Purchase听

During Commencement Weekend, the Campus Store will be open on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Personalized announcements/invitations orders can be placed online on the听 along with other Commencement items.

Flower arrangements will be available for purchase on Commencement Day.

Class Ring 鈥� Contact either听听or听

Senior photos are available online after the ceremony at听鈥�

Sashes and Cords

Sashes and cords worn at Commencement typically represent academic honors, leadership roles, or membership in recognized student organizations, and are distributed by the College or sponsoring groups. Because of this, they are not available for purchase by parents. If your student is eligible for a sash or cord, they鈥檒l receive information directly from the relevant office or organization. Every graduate will be recognized and celebrated in their cap and gown.

Prohibited Items

For safety and because of limited space in the seating areas, the following items are prohibited to bring to Commencement for students and guests.

Fire Arms
Backpacks
Large purses
Bottles
Brief cases
Tripods for cameras
Coolers
Umbrellas
Pets
Alcohol
Luggage
Pepper Spray
Knives
Drones
Large wrapped gifts
Aerosol spray cans
Signs or flags
Noise makers or whistles

Registrar's Information

Degree Requirements听

To earn the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or the Degree of Bachelor of Science a student must:

• Complete a minimum of 128 credits, with a minimum of 32 different courses.
• Complete the degree requirements of one of the established majors.
• Complete the core curriculum requirements.
• Achieve a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 and a minimum of a 2.0 average in courses taken in the major.
• Complete a minimum of 24 of the last 32 credits at Saint Michael鈥檚.
• Transfer students must earn a minimum of 32 credits at Saint Michael鈥檚.
• Fill out a graduation application at the beginning of the academic year in which the degree is expected.

It is the responsibility of the student 鈥� in consultation with the advisor 鈥� to enroll in the appropriate courses in order to meet degree requirements.

Participation in Commencement

Graduating Students
Students who have completed all of their degree requirements by the end of a given spring semester are fully eligible to participate in May Commencement Exercises. Graduates will have their names called, process across the stage to receive their diplomas, and have their names printed in the Commencement program.

Processing Students
Undergraduate students who are within eight credits of meeting their degree requirements are eligible to 鈥渨alk鈥� at the May Commencement Exercises. 鈥淲alkers鈥� have their names called, process across the stage to receive a blank diploma cover, and are listed in the Commencement program.

Robing Students
Undergraduate students who are not eligible to graduate or 鈥渨alk鈥� (as outlined above) 鈥� yet feel an affiliation with the graduating class 鈥� may 鈥渞obe鈥� for the Commencement ceremony. 鈥淩obers鈥� process with their class at the beginning and end of the ceremony. They do not have their names called, and they are not listed in the Commencement program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I receive tickets for the Commencement ceremony?听
Qualified Seniors will receive tickets when picking up their caps and gowns on Senior Salute Day, Wednesday, April 22, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Alliot Lobby.

Are extra tickets available?
Additional tickets are not guaranteed. Please email: Commencement@smcvt.edu with your student’s name and SMC email. We will put requests on a wait list and contact the student if tickets become available.

Where can I see the ceremony without a ticket?听
The ceremony will be livestreamed. The link will be on the Commencement website the morning of the ceremony. 鈥�听Non-ticketed guests can view the livestream in McCarthy Arts Center.

Pets
Pets are not allowed at the ceremony, except for ADA-certified service animals.

I have a question not answered here. Where can I get help?听
Contact the Commencement Hotline by emailing听Commencement@smcvt.edu or call 802-654-2216. On Sunday morning the Commencement Helpdesk is located in the Tarrant Lobby beginning at 8:30 a.m.

What is Baccalaureate Mass?听
Baccalaureate Mass is a Roman Catholic Mass in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel the day before the Commencement ceremony. We welcome all Seniors and their families to celebrate our Roman Catholic liturgy with us as a time to pray together as a community. Graduates do not need to wear robes and are welcome to sit wherever they would like in the Chapel with their family and friends. More information on the details of worship in the Mass can be found on the听.
Tickets are not needed for the Baccalaureate Mass.

Are personalized announcements available?听
Personalized announcements/invitations can be ordered online at鈥�听鈥痑long with other Commencement items.

What time should I arrive for the Commencement ceremony?听
Seating area opens at 8:30 a.m.鈥� Guests are asked to be in their seats by 9:30 a.m.

Is there reserved seating?听
The ceremony is general admission. Sections are reserved for graduates, faculty, dignitaries and the media, in addition to a section for guests with mobility or other accessibility issues.

How do I make arrangements for accessible seating?听
Our Public Safety and Special Events staff are pleased to direct our guests with special needs to designated areas. We ask that you plan for one additional family member to sit in that section as well.鈥� Our staff will assist you by moving chairs as necessary.鈥� Please plan to arrive early. Seating area opens at 8:30 a.m. There will be ASL interpreters at the ceremony. Please call ahead for seating close to the interpreters. Please note that the reserved balcony seating is not wheelchair accessible.

Where should guests park?听
Please follow the directions of our public safety officers.鈥� You may drop off your passengers at the designated spot,听then go park your vehicle.

Where will disabled parking be located?听
Disabled parking is available for vehicles displaying disability registration plates or removable windshield placards.鈥� Please follow the directions of the public safety officers.

How long does the ceremony last?听
For planning purposes, the graduation ceremony lasts approximately 2-2 陆 hours.

Will pictures and DVD鈥檚 be available?
Commencement DVDs will not be available this year.

Our Commencement photographer is Grad Images. Pictures of graduates will be available on their website at:听.鈥� You will be receiving a mailing with more information and offers.

Information for Faculty

Regalia may be ordered at the Campus Store. The Campus Store can be reached at 802.654.2517.

On the day of Commencement (Sunday, May 10, 2026):听

Faculty robe in Cheray 101 at 9:15 a.m.
Procession begins at 9:50 a.m.
Faculty/Staff will be lined up by the Faculty Marshal.

Order of Procession:

• Bagpipes
• Grand Marshal (Jen Purcell)
• Seniors
• Masters Candidates
• Faculty Marshal (John Devlin)
• Faculty/Staff
• Honored Guests/ Marshal
• Trustees/Honored Guests/President鈥檚 Cabinet
• Dais Party
• Provost/VPAA
• President