Commencement

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Schedule of Ceremonies

Friday, December 14
Reception for GFCB students, family, friends, and faculty	5:00 p.m.	DSU 1037 ~ "The Garage"
Saturday, December 15
Gordon Ford College of Business	8:00 a.m.	E.A. Diddle Arena
Potter College of Arts and Letters	10:30 a.m.
Ogden College of Science and Engineering	1:00 p.m.
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	3:30 p.m.
College of Health and Human Services	6:00 p.m.

 

Reception for Gordon Ford Students, Friends, & Family

Friday, December 14, 5-7 p.m., DSU 1037 ~ "The Garage" 

Enjoy refreshments -- including a mashed potato bar and chicken fingers --, a photo booth, and fellowship with faculty, staff, other graduates, and your family! This is a very informal, come-as-you-are event that welcomes your whole family! 

 

Cap Decorating Contest 

During Finals Week, student caps will be featured on Instagram where everyone can vote on their favorite. The winner of the contest will be announced at the Friday evening Reception. Email Stacey Gish (stacey.gish@wku.edu) with a picture of your cap by end of business on Friday, December 7 to be included in the festivities. The winner of the Cap Decorating Contest will win a $25 gift card to the WKU Store. 

 

Claim Your Alumni T-shirt at the Reception

You know you want it! The EXCLUSIVE GFCB Alumni T-shirt will be distributed during the Reception! Your graduating class will be the LAST class to receive a T-shirt in this EXCLUSIVE design!

 

Commencement Morning Breakfast

Graduating students will be treated to danish and coffee in Diddle's Auxiliary Gym as we are lining up. Please arrive by 7:30 am to get a snack and further instructions.

 

Commencement Video

 Be sure to send your pictures to Stacey Gish (stacey.gish@wku.edu) by November 30 for inclusion.

 

Parking Information and Directions

Detailed information regarding parking and directions to E.A. Diddle Arena can be found here.

 

Campus Map

Click here to view a map of Western Kentucky University's campus.

 

Commencement Broadcast

For family and friends who are unable to attend the GFCB Commencement Ceremony, there are several opportunities to view the event live:

• WKU PBS TV
• WKU Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WKUNews/)
• WKU YouTube Channel  (https://www.youtube.com/wkunews)

 

Student Information

Application for Graduation

Before completing a degree, students need to apply for graduation through TopNet. This allows students to provide WKU with information regarding the completeion of your graduation requirements, and is required once a student is close to completing their degree. For more information on WKU's Application for Graduation, click here.

Pick up Your Cap & Gown

Academic regalia that should be worn to both Friday night and Saturday events can be picked up at the WKU Store.

 

Graduation Honors

Undergraduate students who maintain outstanding academic achievement are recognized by wearing red and white honor cords. Criteria for graduation honors are:

• Cum Laude—The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.40 - 3.59 and a minimum of 45 semester hours earned through instruction at WKU.
• Magna Cum Laude—The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.60 - 3.79 and a minimum of 45 semester hours earned through instruction at WKU.
• Summa Cum Laude—The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.80 - 4.00 and a minimum of 45 semester hours earned through instruction at WKU.

Diplomas

The diploma will be mailed to the student's address listed in their Application for Graduation (which can be altered via  TopNet if the mailing address has changed). Diplomas for graduates will be mailed approximately 3 to 6 weeks following commencement. For more information about diplomas, click here.

 

Community Information

Seating

Candidates for graduation will be seated on the floor of Diddle Arena. All seats for families and guests of the graduates are available on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended that guests be seated 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Accessible seating is available on the second level of the arena. Elevators are available at each entrance. One additional guest may accompany the attendee with a disability to this area. To assure accessible seating for all who need to be accommodated, we ask that other guests be seated near the accessible seating areas.

Overnight Accomodations

Commencement weekend will be very busy with other activities in the Bowling Green community. If overnight accommodations are necessary, it is recommended that reservations be made immediately. Local hotel information is provided by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.