Commencement
Student
Contact CommencementCommencement
Questions about Commencement?
Send us an email at commencement@wcupa.edu
Graduate Commencement
Congrats Class of 2019!
Your degree represents an incredible journey of academic dedication and scholastic accomplishment. Graduation day will mark an important milestone in your academic career. West Chester University’s commencement ceremonies serve to salute your success and achievement. Congratulations to the newest WCU alumni!
Graduate Commencement
Saturday, May 11, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Hollinger Fieldhouse
As a graduating student of West Chester University, you don't need a ticket to participate in commencement, but tickets are required for your guests including children three (3) years of age or older. Each Master’s Graduate will receive up to four (4) tickets. Each Doctoral Graduate will receive up to ten (10) tickets.
Please see the Tickets page for more information.
International Students: Please view Instructions to Invite Parents or Relatives for more information on obtaining a visa for this event.
Parking & Directions
Students and their guests are strongly encouraged to park in the following places:
- Sharpless Parking Garage, Lot A
15 Sharpless Street
West Chester, PA 19382 - New Street Parking Garage
704 South New Street
West Chester, PA 19383
Accessible Parking
Information on accessible parking locations will be provided by April 1, 2019.
One (1) family member will be allowed to accompany one person to the special seating area located in Hollinger Fieldhouse. No exceptions will be made.
NOTE: There is no rehearsal for Spring 2019 commencements.
Master Caps, Gowns, and Hoods
Ordering - West Chester Campus Students
You may submit your cap/gown order with Oak Hall Cap and Gown at https://wcupa.shopoakhalli.com.
- Cap/gown ordering begins Monday, March 4, 2019.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the SSI Bookstore is Monday, March 25, 2019.
- There is no additional charge for this service.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home is Friday, April 5, 2019.
- There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order.
Ordering - Philadelphia Campus Students ONLY
If you are a student at the Philadelphia campus, please click here to order your cap and gown- Cap/gown ordering begins Monday, March 4, 2019.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the WCU Philadelphia Campus is Monday, March 25, 2019.
- There is no additional charge for this service.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home is Friday, April 5, 2019.
- There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order.
Picking Up - West Chester Campus
Caps/Gowns ordered through https://wcupa.shopoakhalli.com may be picked up at the SSI Bookstore, lower level Sykes Student Union.
- Pick up begins Monday, April 29, 2019.
- Friday, May 10, 2019 is the last day to pick up your cap/gown.
Hours:
Monday, April 29 -Thursday, May 2: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 3: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 6 - Thursday, May 9: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - If you missed the opportunity to order your Cap/Gown via https://wcupa.shopoakhalli.com, then you must pick up a Cap/Gown at the SSI Bookstore during the dates/times listed above.
Picking Up - Philadelphia Campus
Caps/Gowns ordered through https://wcuphiladelphia.shopoakhalli.com may be picked up at the Philadelphia Campus, location and time TBD.
How to Put on Your Cap, Gown, and Hood
Doctoral Caps, Gowns, and Hoods
This year Doctoral Degree students have two options for ordering gowns:
1. Souvenir Doctoral Regalia: This Doctoral gown is made with Greenweaver fabric with purple panels and bars. Each panel is embroidered with a gold West Chester University Seal. The gown is accompanied by a doctoral hood with gold and purple lining with degree colored velvet and a purple four corner mortarboard and gold tassel. This option is included in your graduation fee and comes at no additional costs.
2. Fine Quality Custom Regalia: This Doctoral gown is made of fine quality Jefferson Dalton fabric in majestic purple with purple velvet panels and bars lined with gold cording. Each panel is embroidered with a gold West Chester University Seal. The gown is accompanied with a doctoral hood with gold and purple lining and degree colored velvet with a six corner purple velvet tam with a gold tassel. This option is not included in your graduation fee and comes at an additional cost of $816.05
***The Souvenir Doctoral Regalia includes a 4 corner cap. If you would like to purchase the six corner purple velvet tam with a gold tassel to accompany this option, you will need to call the custom department at 1-(800) 223-0429 to place a separate order for the TAM ONLY. The cost for the Tam will be $106 plus tax and shipping.
Ordering - West Chester Campus Students
You may submit your cap/gown order with Oak Hall Cap and Gown at https://wcupa.shopoakhalli.com.
- Cap/gown ordering begins on Monday, March 4, 2019.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the SSI Bookstore is Monday, March 25, 2019.There is no additional charge for this service.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home is Friday, April
5, 2019.
- There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order.
Ordering - Philadelphia Campus Students
If you are a student at the Philadelphia campus, please click here to order your cap and gown
- Cap/gown ordering begins on Monday, March 4, 2019.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the Philadelphia Campus
is Monday, March 25, 2019.
- There is no additional charge for this service.
- The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home is Friday, April
5, 2019.
- There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order.
Picking Up - West Chester Campus Students
Caps/Gowns ordered through https://wcupa.shopoakhalli.com may be picked up at the SSI Bookstore, Lower Level, Sykes Student Union.
Pick up begins on Monday, April 29, 2019.
Friday, May 10, 2019 is the last day to pick up your cap/gown.
Hours:
Monday, April 29 -Thursday, May 2: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 3: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 6 - Thursday, May 9: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Diplomas
During the ceremony, diploma covers only will be distributed. The Registrar will mail diplomas to all graduates who have completed the requirements for their degrees. They will be mailed from the Registrar's Office following posting of final semester grades and verification of graduation requirements. Please allow 60 days.
If there are any outstanding issues that will prevent you from graduating, the Registrar's Office will notify you by mail. Visit the Registrar's page on Diplomas.
Photographs
During the ceremony, guests may only take photographs from their seats. In order to provide the best opportunity for a quality photograph to document the occasion, a professional photographer will be on stage during the commencement ceremony to take a picture of each graduate with the appropriate dignitary as he/she receives the diploma cover.
Not only will graduating students have the best possible photograph of their accomplishment, their guests will be able to remain seated without the worry of getting close to the stage to "capture the moment."
Legacy Photographics, Inc. will contact each graduate after the ceremony with information on how to purchase photos. If you have any questions, please contact Legacy at 1-800-447-2550 or 610-279-1791.
