Special Celebrations
Special Celebrations
At Western Kentucky University, several units celebrate graduates through special ceremonies and recognition events. Check back for dates on these specific events.
Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. Central Time in Martens Alumni Center Ballroom
Held annually in the Spring, the Lavender Recognition Ceremony celebrates and recognizes
the achievements and contributions of WKU's LGBTQ and Ally graduates from all races
and ethnicities.
Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in Diddle Arena
The Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) sponsors WKU’s graduation celebration for students who identify as Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, or Multiracial. The event will recognize Fall 2023 graduates. Registration is required.
Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in Downing Student Union Auditorium, Room 1071
WKU commissions cadets as 2nd Lieutenants into the U.S. Army during the WKU ROTC Commissioning ceremony.
April 22, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
5:30 p.m. (CT)
TJ Samson Pavilion Community Room
Deadline to RSVP is April 15, 2024.
This is a brief ceremony to honor WKU graduates from WKU in Glasgow.
Graduates receive their WKU Glasgow tartan stole which can be worn with their cap & gown at WKU Commencement.
Following the ceremony, there are photo opportunities, and graduates pick up a celebratory cake to take home.
Dress is business casual – no cap & gown.
Graduates should arrive by 5 p.m. (CT).
April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
2 p.m. (ET)
Somerset Community College, Hal Rogers Student Commons Community Room
Deadline to RSVP is April 22, 2024.
Family, friends, mentors, and other guests are encouraged to attend.
This is a brief reception to honor the first WKU graduates from WKU in Somerset.
Each graduate will speak and receive a WKU in Somerset stole which can be worn with their cap & gown at WKU Commencement.
Dress is business casual – no cap & gown.
Graduates should arrive by 1:45 p.m. (EST).
April 30, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
5 p.m. (CT)
Owensboro Community & Technical College, Humanities Building – Blandford Hall
Deadline to RSVP is April 23, 2024.
This is a brief ceremony to honor WKU graduates from WKU in Owensboro.
Graduates receive their WKU Owensboro stole which can be worn with their cap & gown at WKU Commencement.
Following the ceremony, there are photo opportunities, and graduates pick up a celebratory cake to take home.
Dress is business casual – no cap & gown.
Graduates should arrive by 4:30 p.m. (CT).
April 30, 2024
Location: HCIC
Graduates and their friends and families are invited to attend and celebrate.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Central Time
Contact: shelby.handley@wku.edu
May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
5:30 p.m. (ET)
ECTC Campus – RPC Building (Room 212) Auditorium
Deadline to RSVP is April 12, 2024.
This is a brief ceremony to honor WKU graduates from WKU in Elizabethtown-Fort Knox.
Graduates receive their WKU Elizabethtown/Fort Knox stole which can be worn with their cap & gown at WKU Commencement.
Following the ceremony, there are photo opportunities, and graduates pick up a celebratory cake to take home.
Dress is business casual – no cap & gown.
Graduates should arrive by 5 p.m. (ET).
May 3, 2024
Location: Knicely Conference Center
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Central Time
The MHC Graduation Ceremonies will be split into two parts, to account for the WKU College Recognition Ceremonies.
Each graduate can bring up to four guests.
The recognition ceremony will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres.
The event is expected to last less than 2 hours.
Attire for the event is business casual.
We are looking forward to celebrating all of the achievements of the Class of 2024!
Mahurin Honors Scholars who wish to attend this event MUST RSVP by the form's deadline. More information may be found on the MHC Graduation page.
May 3, 2024
Location: Knicely Conference Center
Friday, May 3, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Central Time
The MHC Graduation Ceremonies will be split into two parts, to account for the WKU College Recognition Ceremonies.
Each graduate can bring up to four guests.
The recognition ceremony will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres.
The event is expected to last less than 2 hours.
Attire for the event is business casual.
We are looking forward to celebrating all of the achievements of the Class of 2024!
Mahurin Honors Scholars who wish to attend this event MUST RSVP by the form's deadline. More information may be found on the MHC Graduation page.
Additional Special Celebrations
Western Kentucky University departments can send more information about their special celebrations to webservices@wku.edu. Events will be added to this page leading up to Commencement.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.