Senior and Alumni Gates

New traditions during Commencement & Reunion Weekend at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy feature the Senior Gate and the Alumni Gate.

The Senior Gate was the first of three gates constructed on the parade field. It was commemorated in 2009 during the 125th anniversary year of the Academy and inaugurated by the graduating senior class of the 125th Corps of Cadets. The Senior Gate is opened for First Classmen to enter the parade field for Commencement Exercises and awarding of diplomas. When all First Classmen have passed through the gate, it is closed and locked.

The Senior Gate was developed through the generous support of the Stangeland Foundation Challenge Grant and those who contributed matching funds, including the senior class of 2009.

Senior Gate

Located on the north side of the parade field directly across from the Senior Gate, the Alumni Gate was inaugurated in 2010 by alumni and the graduating senior class of the 126th Corps of Cadets. During the parade honoring the Board of Trustees and Alumni, alumni enter the parade field through the Alumni Gate for their traditional joining of the ranks with the seniors. In addition, after the First Classmen receive their diplomas, they recess the Commencement Exercises through the Alumni Gate for the first time and proceed to the main flag pole to Retire the Colors.

The Alumni Gate was developed through the generous support of the Class of 1960.

Alumni Gate

The Main Gate, the last in the series, will be constructed on the west end of the parade field and will connect to the Field of Flags. The Corps of Cadets will process through the Main Gate for all parades and ceremonies conducted on the parade field.