Commencement Graduate Student

Written notices regarding Commencement are emailed in February to participants who have officially applied for graduation. If you have not received an email, please contact the Office of Records and Registration to confirm your eligibility status.

RSVP

All students must RSVP. Please complete the RSVP form whether you are attending or not.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

It's very important that you order and pay for your regalia from The Nest. You cannot walk in the ceremony without academic regalia. Regalia will be available for pick up in The Nest starting April 1, 2025. Before going to The Nest to pick up your regalia, please allow three days for processing after you place your order and submit payment online.

The deadline to order regalia to be shipped directly to you is April 19, 2025.

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Important Reminders

Commencement will be held outdoors, regardless of weather. Please come prepared to be outdoors, rain or shine.
No tickets are required; and there are no limits on number of guests.
Please continue to monitor this webpage as well as your student email account. All communications to eligible participants regarding Commencement will be sent to student email accounts, so it is important that you continue to check your account through the ceremony date.
Ride share services are not a reliable mode of transportation when leaving Waynesburg University. While these services are accessible in other areas such as Allegheny County and can transport you to Waynesburg University, there are not local drivers in Greene County for your return trip. If you are not planning to bring your own vehicle to Commencement, a rental may be the best option to ensure your departure from Waynesburg goes smoothly.

Below is information on the steps you need to take to make that happen.

Still have questions? Contact us

Step 1: Apply for Graduation

Take the following steps to apply for graduation. The graduation application is required in order to post your degree, process your diploma and allow you to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Review your academic plan
Complete the appropriate graduation application no later than March 15 in order to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Step 2: Order your regalia

All students planning to attend Commencement must order regalia online

You have two options: Pick up in The Nest or ship to your home (shipping fees incurred).
April 1, 2025: Regalia will be available for pick up in The Nest. Please allow three days for processing after you place your order and submit payment online.
April 19, 2025: Ordering deadline for shipping to home.

Step 3: Make lunch plans

All graduates, guests, and faculty/staff participants are welcome to celebrate at the Graduate’s Luncheon on the day of Commencement. Tickets are required for the luncheon.

Purchase tickets now

Location: Benedum Dining Hall

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please refer to the Commencement schedule, as these times do overlap slightly with other activities. There are a limited number of seats; tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional tickets may be available for purchase at the door.

Pre-Sell Cost: $13

Buffet Menu:

Hamburgers, hotdogs & BBQ chicken on the grill
Homemade chips, corn on the cob & tossed salad
Watermelon, cookies & brownies
Punch, lemonade & water

Other on-campus options: The Beehive and Starbucks, both located within Stover Campus Center, will also be open.

Step 4: Receive your academic regalia

If you opted to pick up your regalia at the Nest, please note The Nest hours below. For these orders, regalia will be available for pick up in The Nest starting April 1, 2025. Please allow three days for processing after you place your order and submit payment online.

Otherwise, your regalia will be shipped to the home address you provided while placing your order. The deadline to order regalia to be shipped directly to you is April 19, 2025.

THE NEST HOURS

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 4 (Commencement): 9 am - 5 pm (excluding during the ceremony itself).

Step 5: Request accommodations for yourself, if needed

Do you need auditory, visual or physical accommodations in order to participate in the procession and/or ceremony?

Contact Disability Services today

Please note: The ceremony is held outside on the Miller Hall Lawn. The procession winds through the park, up a hill and includes stairs. We would be happy to provide accommodations should you need them in order to participate. Don't hesitate to reach out to Disability Services.

Step 6: Complete your Graduation Survey

Step 7: Pay any outstanding payments or fees

Step 8: Complete Exit Loan Counseling, if applicable

Step 9: Attend Baccalaureate Ceremony

The Baccalaureate Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in Roberts Chapel, and all graduates are welcome to attend. All graduates meet in the Marsh Center (bottom of Roberts Chapel) at 10 a.m. Plan to wear your graduation cap for the procession. As a graduate student, the following attire guidance should be followed during the Baccalaureate ceremony:

Keep your tassel on the left throughout the day.
You may wear your hood during the ceremony.
You will need to remove your cap during the ceremony.

Graduates and faculty will be seated in the Chapel; with limited guest seating in the Chapel. Doors to the Chapel will open at 10 a.m. for guest seating. Additional seating for guests will be available at remote locations (GPAC and Alumni Hall). Guest seating at remote locations opens at 10 a.m.

Step 10: Report to the Fitness Center for line up

Step 11: Graduate!

The procession will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m. As a graduate student, the following should be followed during the Commencement ceremony:

Do not wear high-heeled shoes as you will be seated in grass during spring time and walking multiple steps.
Keep your tassel on the left throughout the day.
Wear your hood during the procession. Watch this video to learn how to wear your hood
Place your name card in your right hand. You will give this to the announcer before your name is called.

Diplomas will be sent to the home address on file in the Office of Records and Registration via first-class mail. Students completing degree requirements beyond the Commencement Ceremony will receive their diploma approximately one month after the respective term of completion. Diplomas for graduates with any holds still on their account will not be mailed until after holds are released.

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