Now that you have applied for graduation, completed your RSVP, and have your cap and gown in hand — it's time to celebrate! Learn what to expect the day of commencement by exploring the information below.
2025 Commencement Ceremony
Time: 7 p.m.
Location:
General Information & Timeline
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Graduate check-in and name cards
Graduates will enter through Entry/Lobby 3. Family and friends will enter through Entries/Lobbies 1 and 2. There will be signs directing graduates to a designated area to pick up their name cards. Graduates MUST have a name card in order to participate in the ceremony.
6:00 p.m. | Doors open to public
Entries/Lobbies 1 and 2 will open to the public at 6 p.m. Due to increased security measures, attendees are encouraged to arrive early and well before the ceremony start time of 7 p.m.
6:30 p.m. | Instructions and line-up
Ceremony instructions and graduate line up will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. to ensure the ceremony begins on time.
7:00 p.m. | Ceremony begins
The ceremony usually lasts under two hours, ending around 9:00 p.m.
-
Arrival Time & Location
graduates
- Graduate check-in time is from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. This means you may check in as early as 5:30 p.m. and no later than 6:30 p.m.
- Follow the signage for graduate check-in outside Entry/Lobby 3.
- There is NO rehearsal. Graduates will meet in the line-up area.
GUESTS
- Public doors will open to guests at 6 p.m. Guests can enter through Entry/Lobby 2.
-
Check-In & Name Cards
Check-In
- Check-in between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
- Follow the signage to Entry/Lobby 3.
- Graduates will not be able to leave any personal items in the graduate line up area; please plan accordingly.
Name Cards
To participate in the ceremony, the following items are required:
- Name Card
- Your name card will be used by the name reader when you walk across the stage during the ceremony.
- Keep your name card with you at all times until then.
- Regalia (cap, gown, tassel)
-
Academic Regaila
REQUIRED Regalia
- Full regalia is required for participation in the ceremony.
- Regalia includes a cap, gown, and tassel.
Purchasing REGALIA
- Purchase your regalia at the CWI Bookstore beginning the last week of March.
- The Bookstore will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 16; please plan accordingly.
- Regalia will not be available for purchase at the arena the day of commencement.
wearing REGALIA
- Wear your cap flat on your head. The point should be in the front.
- Hang the tassel to the right side of your face.
- Zip your gown.
CORDS & STOLES
If you are eligible to wear a cord or stole, please wear accordingly.
- Drape stoles over your shoulders making sure the ends are even.
- Wear cords over stoles.
-
Line-Up Area & Graduate Seating
LINE-UP AREA EXPECTATIONS
After you pick up your name card at check-in:
- Arrive no later than 6:30 p.m to receive important instructions about the ceremony.
- Follow signage to the auxiliary gym line-up area.
Enjoy your moment and the festivities as you wait for the ceremony to begin!
- Celebrate with friends, faculty, and a live DJ.
- Take photos at the photo booth.
- Decorate your cap at the alumni table.
Graduate Seating
Graduate seating is not assigned.
- The first row is reserved for GED graduates.
- The remaining rows are for degree and certificate graduates.
Review the map below.
- The map shows the line-up area and the arena floor.
- Seating in the line-up area is the mirror image of seating in the arena.
- Coordinate with guests on where to sit based on the side chosen in the line-up area.
- On the map, graduates sit on the floor in the red and blue areas.
Guest Seating
- Guests will sit in the orange, purple, and green areas indicated on the map linked below.
-
Ceremony Details
PROCESSIONAL
Entering the area:
- Listen to processional instructions in the line-up area at 6:45 p.m.
- Follow your student marshals into the arena as directed.
- Take any personal items with you.
GRADUATE RECOGNITION
During the ceremony, each graduate will be recognized as they walk across the stage.
- Have your name card with you.
- Hold your diploma cover right-side up for your photo.
- The cover will be handed to you before you go on stage by Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata.
- Shake hands with CWI President Gordon Jones and a CWI Trustee.
- Exit the stage as directed for another photo opportunity.
- Follow the line to return to your seat.
RECESSIONAL
Leaving the arena:
- Enjoy the celebration as you leave the arena at the end of the ceremony.
- Exit the arena to meet with your guests outside.
- Graduates will not return to the line-up area after the ceremony.
-
Parking
Parking is free for both graduates and guests.
- View the map below for all available parking.
- There will be parking attendants on site to assist.
Handicapped parking is limited.
- Family and friends who cannot walk a distance may be dropped off at the front of arena.
- Entries/Lobbies 1 or 2 of the Arena have elevators available if family or friends cannot climb stairs.
Shuttles will be available to and from the from 5 – 10 p.m. the day of the ceremony.
-
Tickets
Tickets are not required for graduates or guests. Feel free to invite as many guests as you would like!
-
Spanish-English Translation Services
We are pleased to offer Spanish-English interpretation to our commencement patrons needing access to this service. Please direct family members to Entrance 2 to check out a headset. Headsets will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Guests should be prepared to leave a driver’s license or other photo ID to check out the headset. Their ID will be given back when the unit is returned.
Es un placer para nosotros anunciar que habrá interpretación del inglés al español para esas personas que asistan a la ceremonia de graduación y que deseen, prefieran, o necesiten acceso a este servicio. Por favor dirijan a los miembros de su familia al Lobby 2 para tomar prestados unos audífonos. Los audífonos estarán disponibles por orden de llegada.
Por favor de prepararse y dejar una licencia de manejar (conducir) u otra identificación con foto para tomar prestados los audífonos. Su identificación se les devolverá al devolver los audífonos cuando hayan terminado de usarlos.
-
Photography
Arrangements have been made for a professional photographer to take a picture of each graduate in a standing pose. Passport-size, color proofs will be emailed approximately one week after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase, and graduates will have the option of ordering several enlargement packages at reasonable prices.
Family members and friends are encouraged to remain in their seats and enjoy the ceremony. No one will be allowed to block aisles to photograph any portion of the ceremony.