Commencement

Spring 2025 Keynote Speaker

Kristen B. Gawlik

Gawlik is a dynamic leader with 25 years of experience in the government contracting domain, where she has spent the last 14 years in various CFO roles. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Qnnect, LLC, a private equity portfolio company that aims to seek and solve critical connectivity and interconnect challenges for high-density and high-speed applications in the aerospace and defense, Hi-Reliability, semiconductor, test and measurement, medical and consumer electronics markets. In addition, she is the CFO of Quantic Electronics, LLC, a private equity portfolio company that is a trusted electronics partner in the military, aerospace, industrial and commercial markets.  

Prior to joining Qnnect and Quantic, Gawlik served as CFO for BEI Precision, the leader in encoder-based motion control systems for hi-reliability applications and VT Group, a mid-sized government contracting services provider. She has also held successful financial and accounting roles, at VT Group, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Civil Service, where she started her career after graduating from St. Mary’s University.    

At St. Mary’s, Gawlik was active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the Society of Honors Scholars, as well as the Accounting Honors Program.  Kristin currently resides in New Braunfels with her husband, Matt, and her rescue beagle, Willie Ray. 

Tickets

Due to limited seating in the Bill Greehey Arena, Commencement tickets are required for admission. Each graduating student approved for Fall Commencement will receive an email for the number of tickets they will receive.  

To accommodate additional guests at Commencement ceremonies, overflow seating will be available in the University Center, Mengler Conference Room, where guests will view a live broadcast of the ceremony. No tickets are required to enter the University Center. Immediately following the ceremony, all guests will reunite with the graduates outside the Arena. 

For guests unable to attend, please note that the commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on our website. Visit the livestream page to check technical requirements or to watch the ceremony. 

Children aged 3 and under do not need tickets provided they can sit on an adult’s lap for the duration of the ceremony. 

Each graduating student approved for Commencement will receive an email for the number of tickets they will receive.

Parking

Commencement guests can park in the following lots: 

Lot T (in front of Bill Greehey Arena) 
Lot G 
Lot H 

Livestream

For guests unable to attend, please note that the commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on our website. Visit the livestream page to check technical requirements or to watch the ceremony. 

Venue Regulations

• Noise Warning

  Be aware that following the Conferring of Degrees, we will celebrate this moment for our graduates by activating confetti launchers. These launchers will emit a loud popping sound, which may be triggering for guests who experience noise sensitivity. 

Bill Greehey Arena does not allow noisemakers, confetti, flags, balloons, posters, banners or other items that will cause view obstruction or distract from the program. 

Additionally, to maintain a safe and secure environment, we have implemented a bag check policy. All bags are subject to search and inspection before entering the facility. 

Guests failing to comply with the above policies will be asked to return their bags and/or items to their vehicle or be denied entry. 

Accessibility Accommodations

Sections for guests in wheelchairs are available along the second level of Bill Greehey Arena. Individuals who plan to sit in this section are allowed one person to remain with them in the area.

Due to limited seats, seating in these sections is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Ceremony Seating Chart

All graduates will be seated on the arena floor during Commencement according to their school or college.

Stay tuned for a seating chart to find where your graduate’s section will be seated.  

Graduation Memorabilia

Looking for graduation memorabilia for your graduate? Check out the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at St. Mary’s webpage to find apparel, diploma frames and more!