Information Regarding WCU May 2021 Commencement Ceremonies
Additional information will be posted here as it becomes available.
All degree requirements for graduation must be completed before a student is allowed to participate in commencement exercises. Dates and times for graduation ceremonies are included on this site.
Graduates are invited to participate in the appropriate commencement to recognize their scholastic achievement, unless they submit the approved ‘Absentia Form,’ which is available on the student portal. Although pandemic precautions are easing to some extent, we understand that some graduates may prefer to avoid assembling—even in limited occupancy.
We will reduce the number of graduates per ceremony and reduce occupancy of the auditorium to provide adequate spacing. Each graduates will be allowed to have four (4) guests. More information about tickets for the ceremonies will be posted here soon.
All of the ceremonies except the two for Tradition campus programs will be held in Thomas Fine Arts Building on the Hattiesburg campus. The two Tradition ceremonies will be held at First Baptist Church, Gulfport on Monday evening May 17. Guests should arrive in time to be seated 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests are required to wear masks while in the building and practice distancing of 6 feet, but may sit in family groups of up to four, with spacing of at least two seats between family groups or individual guests.
A rehearsal is not possible; therefore, it is IMPORTANT for graduates to check-in 1 hour before the scheduled ceremony. Graduates will receive name cards, lineup locations, and additional ceremony instructions at check-in. Only graduates are allowed in the Check-in area.
Commencement programs will be placed in the chairs on stage. All purses, keys, belongings, etc., should be left with family or friends prior to checking in. The university will not be responsible for items lost or stolen during the commencement exercises.
The Administration and faculty begin the processional to the stage and students follow afterwards. Graduates should keep an even walking pace and keep approximately 6 feet between each person. Students will follow the processional line to their seats on stage and stand at their seats until instructed to sit. Masks are to be worn during check-in, lineup, processional, while seated on stage, and during the recessional and picking up diplomas. When crossing the stage to receive your diploma you may remove your mask. A photographer will take your picture as you cross the stage.
During the ceremony, degrees will be awarded in college and degree order. Please pay attention to the marshals during the ceremony for the appropriate times to stand and move forward. As students cross the stage and names are announced, the President will present the students with diploma covers. Actual diplomas will be distributed by the Registrar’s Office staff in a designated area after the ceremony. All accounts must be paid in full, all library books returned, and all fines paid to receive your diploma.
The ceremony is a respectful occasion and students are expected to wear the appropriate attire. Any regalia that has been altered will be replaced temporarily for the ceremony. Men should wear a white shirt, dark tie, dark trousers, dark socks, and dark shoes. Women should wear appropriate dark dresses or slacks and dark shoes. Due to the stairs and walking pace during the processional, women should wear low heels or flats to avoid falling.
Commencement Instructions for May 2021
Academic Regalia
- If you ordered your regalia already, you will receive an email when the order ships, with tracking information. Shipping is running slow, so please be patient.
- For those who were not able to order their regalia yet, the bookstore will be receiving extra regalia, which you can purchase at the Barnes & Nobles Bookstore according to the following schedule:
- Doctoral Graduates in the May 8 ceremony: you may pick your regalia up at the bookstore from 1:30-5:00 p.m. on May 7, or at 7:45 a.m. on May 8 (prior to the ceremony at 9:30 a.m.).
- Anyone graduating on May 13, 14, or 15 can pick up regalia in the bookstore from 8-5 Monday through Friday. If you cannot come to campus ahead of time, you can pick up your regalia just before your ceremony.
- For the Thursday, 6:00 p.m. ceremony, try to get to the bookstore at 4:30 p.m. so you can get your regalia and check in at the student center to line up at 5:00.
- On Friday and Saturday the bookstore will be open at 7:45.
- Tradition Campus students can purchase their regalia at the Tradition Campus on May 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m..
You can pay for the regalia at the bookstore;
- Bachelor’s $54.98 + tax
- Master’s and Specialist $76.98 + tax
- Doctoral $153.98 + tax
For questions about regalia call the bookstore at (601) 318-6123.
Tickets
Each degree candidate is allowed to have 4 guests and will be issued 4 tickets, which will be distributed as follows:
- Hattiesburg: Students may pick up their tickets in King Student Center beginning Monday, May 10 and continuing through Thursday, May 13.
- Tradition: Students may pick up their tickets in the Business Office beginning Monday, May 10 and continuing through Thursday, May 13.
- For students not able to pick up tickets ahead of time, the tickets will be available:
- Hattiesburg Students: On the front porch of King Student Center prior to each ceremony. You will need to pick up your tickets when you arrive and give them to your family (or other guests) so they can use them to enter Thomas Fine Arts Building for the commencement ceremony.
- Tradition Students: South entrance lobby of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. You will need to pick up your tickets when you arrive and give them to your family (or other guests) so they can use them to enter the west entrance of First Baptist Church for the commencement ceremony.
- Each guest must have the proper ticket (unique to each ceremony) to enter the building. We understand that some graduates have more family members and/or friends who want to see them graduate; however, we must limit attendance and ask your cooperation in doing so.
- The ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing from other places and at other times. We will not be providing alternate locations on campus for viewing the livestreamed ceremonies.
Photographs
A professional photographer will be taking pictures that will be available to you, but with no obligation on your part to purchase.
Hattiesburg Campus Commencement Instructions
- Bring a plain, undecorated face mask to wear while on campus throughout the activities described below. You may remove your face mask when you cross the stage to be recognized.
- We will line you up and seat you so as to maintain social distancing, and we ask that you maintain distance from others at other times as you move about on your own.
- Arrive at the campus in time to pick up your regalia at the bookstore in MacMillan Hall and arrive at King Student Center (which is next to MacMillan Hall) one hour prior to the commencement ceremony. At the student center you will:
- Pick up tickets for your guests at a table on the front porch. You might want to let one of your guests come with you that far to get the tickets from you. Guests will not be allowed into the student center.
- Check in at the Registrar’s tables in the lobby of the student center. You will be given a name card that you will carry with you into the ceremony.
- In the large room adjacent to the lobby, you will be seated in the order you will be in for the processional.
- The Student Marshal, Dr. Tim Glaze, will give you instructions for the processional, the commencement ceremony, and the recessional.
- Glaze will lead you in the Processional from the student center to Thomas Fine Arts, into the auditorium, and onto the stage, where you will be seated.
- Glaze will prompt you for when to stand, move to the front of the stage, give your name card to the presenter, and then cross the stage to receive your diploma cover.
- After the ceremony, Dr. Glaze will lead you in the Recessional—off the stage, out of the building, and back to the student center, where you will pick up your diploma.
