When do I pick up my cap and gown (regalia)?

Graduates pick up their regalia during the designated dates for the Grad Fair. Students unable to attend Grad Fair may pick up their regalia from the WKU Store. 

Will there be a college recognition ceremony separate from Commencement Ceremony this year?

Yes. Fall College Recognition Ceremonies will take place on Friday, December 9, 2022.  View the schedule of ceremonies for details on times.

What should I expect at the 2023 Commencement Ceremony (scheduled to be held in May 2023)? 

For Commencement on May 4, graduates should come dressed in full regalia to the Commencement Ceremony. They will meet with their academic college at a designated time and location ahead of the ceremony for Topper Walk, where they will walk with their college to L.T. Smith Stadium. Once at the stadium, graduates will be seated on Jimmy Feix Field.

WKU will continue with its traditional ceremony. Graduates will hear from President Caboni and the SGA president in addition to receiving their degree conferral from the Board of Regents. 

What are the Graduation Honors?

Undergraduate students who maintain outstanding academic achievement are recognized at commencement by wearing red and white honor cords. Criteria for graduation honors are described in the undergraduate catalog in the section entitled "Recognition of Academic Achievement."

Associate Degree Recognition:

• With Distinction
• With High Distinction

Baccalaureate Degree Recognition

• Cum Laude
• Magna Cum Laude
• Summa Cum Laude

Honors College Graduate:
Awarded to students who are graduates of the WKU Mahurin Honors College

Scholar of the College:
Awarded to the student(s) with the highest GPA from each college

Ogden Foundation Scholar Award:

The Ogden Foundation Scholar Award is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement.

Graduate Student Recognition:
John D. Minton Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Contributions to Western Kentucky University

Tell me about diplomas.

Your diploma is symbolic of the completion of your degree. The WKU diploma lists only the name of the degree and not the specific major.

The diploma will be mailed to you at the address listed on your Application for Graduation; however, if the address to which the diploma is to be mailed has changed since filing the graduation application, update the diploma address on TopNet immediately by selecting the Personal Information tab, View/Update Address(es) and Phone(s), click the down arrow for Type of Address to insert, select diploma address, then select submit. If there are any problems updating your address, please contact Leslie Vanderpool at (270) 745-5411. Diplomas for graduates will be mailed approximately 3-6 weeks following commencement.

Please make certain all obligations such as the return of books to the library, arrangements for repayment of loans, parking tickets,etc., have been fulfilled prior to leaving the campus. Final transcripts and diplomas will not be issued to students with outstanding obligations.

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