2018 Commencement Information


April 29, 2018 | Campus News

Commencement is right around the corner! We are so excited to celebrate your big day with you and your families. Below is some important information about this year’s ceremony.

When is it?

The 2018 commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 12th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. in the Donald D. Shook Student Center, located on the Union campus. Rehearsal for commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 11. The rehearsal is not mandatory, but it’s a good idea to show up!

What should I wear?

When you are putting on your cap and gown, remember that tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap. Please wear a white or light colored dress shirt and tie. Although some consider the tie optional, the shirt collar and tie are visible at the throat of the gown. The gown is black and therefore dark dress slacks or a skirt that does not show below the gown’s hemline look best. Do not wear a boutonniere on your gown.

Ceremony rules (Yes, there are rules)

Looking your best and conducting yourself in a manner appropriate to the decorum of this time-honored ceremony are ways you can show pride in your accomplishment. Please leave the beach balls, confetti, and silly string at home. Even if you may not personally care about preserving the dignity and decorum of the commencement ceremony, please do not spoil it for those who are proud of their accomplishment. It also can create a trip hazard. No one wants to trip.

Guest information

Seating is on a first-come basis. Doors open at 10:30am. Seating on the floor will be initially reserved for guests needing special physical accommodations or wheel chair accessible arrangements.   Commencement guests are requested to remain in their seats during the entire ceremony, which lasts approximately 80 minutes. Overflow seating will be available in the cafeteria. The seating in the cafeteria also provides guests with space to move around if needed.

A reception will be held in the cafeteria at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Facilities will run several golf carts around the parking lots to pick up any guests who may need a lift to the building entrance. Wheelchairs will be available to transport guests to and from the parking lot if needed. There will be personnel available to assist with wheel chairs just inside the doors of Loading Dock 1 in front of the entrance to the Bookstore in the Donald Shook Student Center (DSSC). Elevator access is available from any level of the DSSC.

Professional photos will be taken at the ceremony and will be available for purchase through Grad Images.