Ceremony times
There will be two ceremonies on December 14. Ceremony times are as follows:
9 a.m.
- Education & Human Development
- Haworth College of Business
- Merze Tate
- Fine Arts
Noon
- Engineering & Applied Sciences
- Arts & Sciences
- Health and Human Services
- Aviation
Ticket reservation and distribution
All guests, including family members and children (regardless of age), must have a ticket to enter Miller Auditorium. All seats are general admission. The Extended Family & Friends Livestream Lounge ensures that everyone can be part of the celebration by offering a virtual viewing experience for families and friends, allowing them to view the ceremony on a large screen in Brown Hall.
Graduates will be able to reserve tickets for the Extended Family and Friends Livestream Lounge the week prior to commencement. Guests without tickets may watch the ceremony livestreams, which will be available on this webpage closer to commencement day.
A link to reserve tickets will be sent to graduates via email soon.
Guest tickets are generated with a unique identifier that is traceable back to the student who requested them. Because of this feature, tickets can be printed multiple times. However, tickets can only be scanned once. Duplicate tickets with the same bar code will be denied entrance after the first ticket has been scanned.
Each guest ticket will have a number listed above the barcode (Ticket #1 of 4, for example). Please assign each guest their own number to avoid delays when entering Miller Auditorium.
Regalia
A cap and gown are required for participation in the ceremony. Regalia may be purchased online on WMU's Oak Hall page or at the WMU Bookstore during regular business hours. For hours and availability, please call the WMU Bookstore at (269) 387-3930.
In addition to regalia, master’s candidates will receive a hood, with the color indicating field of study. Doctoral students should contact the WMU Bookstore to purchase regalia. Learn more about degree color designation and commencement accessories.
Donor cords
Graduates have the opportunity to receive donor cords by making a gift of $20 or more. Your gift can support the area that resonates the most for you—whether it’s the Invisible Need Fund, diversity and inclusion, specific scholarships to colleges, the arts, athletics and more. In addition to cords, you are helping the students who will follow your footsteps and joining a family of 250,000+ Bronco Alumni making an impact!
Visit wmualumni.org/donor-cords to make your gift today. Donor cords are available for pickup at Heritage Hall and commencement, please show us your gift receipt.
Class rings
Graduates can showcase their WMU pride through the purchase of an official class ring. Browse the multiple designs and place an order online.
Arrival and parking information
Graduates are required to participate with their respective colleges and must report to Shaw Theatre 45 minutes before their college commencement time. Shaw Theatre is located in the Gilmore Theatre Complex next to Miller Auditorium. Graduates assemble in Shaw Theatre, but the ceremony will take place in Miller.
Parking will be available in all areas adjacent to Miller Auditorium.
General information
Personal items
Graduates may not bring personal items such as a purse, bag or coat to Miller Auditorium during commencement. Items may be left in Shaw Theatre and WMU Public Safety will watch over them during the ceremony.
Guests may not bring bags or purses larger than 4.5" x 6.5" or approximately the size of a small handbag/clutch purse. Anything larger may be subject to search or requested that it be returned to the vehicle. Backpacks of any kind are strictly prohibited.
Accessibility
Students with accessibility needs should call (269) 387-4300 or email @email to make arrangements for the ceremony. Guests with accessibility needs (e.g., seating accommodations, sign language interpretation, etc.) should call Miller Auditorium at (269) 387-2320 to make arrangements for the ceremony.
After the ceremony
The ceremony lasts approximately two hours. We ask that graduates and guests do not leave before the ceremony concludes. Miller Auditorium is very crowded after commencement. We recommend that graduates prearrange a location, outside of Miller, to meet their guests after the ceremony.
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