Graduating Students
Congratulations, you did it! You’ve earned your degree, and you deserve to celebrate that amazing achievement.
All the faculty and staff here at WSU wish you the best as you move forward in your career path.
To Participate in the Ceremony
You may participate in the commencement ceremony only if you:
- have an approved graduation application
- are completing your degree requirements that term
Learn more about graduation requirements.
You can indicate whether you want to participate in the commencement ceremony in your Undergraduate Student Graduation Application or Graduate Student Graduation Application. If your plans change, you can edit your graduation application.
Doctor of Education and Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates must declare their participation at least 12 weeks in advance to ensure appropriate regalia is available for the ceremony.
All participating students need to register by April 3.
Please ensure that your Diploma Address indicated on your application is accurate.
Ticketing for Guests
At this time graduate numbers do not indicate a need to distribute tickets to graduate's guests. However, as more graduates apply for gradation, a need for ticketing may develop. This website will be updated as soon as any ticketing decisions are made. Students should keep an eye on their WSU email accounts for more information regarding ticketing as the semester progresses.
Ceremonies will be held in the McCown Gym in Memorial Hall, and the ceremonies will also be live-streamed in the Harriet Johnson Auditorium in Somsen Hall.
All viewing venues are seated on a first-come first-served basis.
International students can also learn more about getting a visitor visa for family members.
Ceremony Tutorial Info
There will not be a physical rehearsal.
Please read through the rehearsal instructions (PDF) for more information.
Attire & Regalia
Commencement regalia is required, such as a cap and gown.
Check the WSU Bookstore for details about rental or purchase of regalia items.”
Students with approved graduation applications can pick up earned provisional honor cords anytime after March 3 at the Warrior Hub.
Graduate students have an additional hood as part of their regalia. You will purchase the hood and gown which can be worn to the commencement ceremony.
Decoration Policies
Academic protocol states that you cannot pin jewelry or flowers to your gown.
Decoration of your mortarboard is permitted but will be monitored.
WSU reserves the right to require you to remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony.
Examples of inappropriate embellishment include, but are not limited to:
- vulgar language
- references to alcohol/drugs
- inappropriate verbiage or photos/graphic images
- any decoration that might obstruct the view of people seated behind you
Seating
Undergraduate students will be seated by academic college. Before the ceremony, you must check in at your appropriate college table and pick up your name card.
Graduate students will be seated by college and degree type. Before the ceremony, you must check in at the Graduate Studies table and pick up your name card.
Accessibility Accommodations
A portion of seating will be reserved to accommodate for persons with limited accessibility.
Please advise ushers of your accessibility needs, and you will be directed to the area of the venue that suits your needs.
If a sign language interpreter is needed, please notify graduation@winona.edu at least six weeks in advance.
After the Ceremony
Graduates will follow the stage party out of McCown Gym to the Johnson Street turnaround to ring the WSU Commencement bell once the ceremony is over.
Guests are asked to wait to exit the gym and auditorium until the graduates are outside.
Please make a plan to meet at a location away from McCown Gym and the bell.
