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Commencement
On this page:
- Commencement Ceremony Information
- Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony
- Ceremony Length
- Disability Accommodations
- Etiquette
- Seating Arrangements
- Backpacks and Bags Policy
- Graduating with Honors
- Getting Your Diploma (Conferral of Degrees)
- Caps and Gowns, Academic Attire, Announcements, and Invitations
- Photos
- Tickets
- Broadcast Information
- Concessions
- Other Information
Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony Information
The following guidelines are being observed due to the COVID-19 guidelines set by the State of Ohio and the Wright State University COVID-19 Response Team. The capacity/use of the event site is greatly reduced. We will strictly adhere to these guidelines. We thank you for your cooperation and patience.
Sessions
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 5 p.m.
Reserved for graduates receiving Lake Campus (Associates, Integrated Science Studies, Bachelor of Technical & Applied Studies) and College of Engineering and Computer Science degrees.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Reserved for graduates receiving bachelor's degrees granted by the College of Business, College of Science & Math and College of Nursing
Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 5 p.m.
Reserved for graduates receiving bachelor's degrees granted by the College of Education & Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts
Doors
Doors will open 30-minutes before each ceremony.
Masks
Everyone must wear a mask, including all who are fully vaccinated.
To hold these ceremonies, we must comply with state and federal guidelines. Anyone entering the Romer’s Celina facility will be required to wear a face-covering at all times. Graduates or guests who remove their face coverings after being seated will be approached and asked to please comply. Anyone not wearing or unable to wear a face-covering will be asked to leave the facility and watch the ceremony by live stream.
Tickets
Everyone must have a ticket to enter the Romer’s Celina facility. Tickets are specific for each ceremony and cannot be used for any ceremony, except the one specified on the ticket (there can be no exceptions).
- Graduates will receive their one (1) ticket for entry and up to four (4) family/guest tickets—See Ticketing on this page for hours/dates/place to pick-up tickets.
Ceremony Proceedings
GRADUATES
- Park at Romer’s and enter through main doors
- Must have a ticket
- Must wear a mask
- Must have the appropriate robe/cap
- You will be escorted to your assigned seat
- There will be a packet on your seat, containing:
- Diploma presentation folder
- Commencement Program
- Alumni gift(s)
- Conferral of degrees
- The Dean will announce the conferral of the degrees
- Your name will be called:
- Please stand (remain at your seat)
- Be seated when the next graduate’s name is called
FACULTY/PLATFORM PARTY
- Park at Romer’s and enter through main doors
- Must have a ticket
- Must wear a mask
- Must have the appropriate robe/cap
- You will be escorted to your assigned seat
- There will be a Commencement Program on your seat
GUESTS
- Please arrive together so that your party may be seated together
- Park at Romer’s and enter through main doors
- Must have a ticket
- Must wear a mask
- Must have the appropriate robe/cap
- You will be escorted to your assigned seat
- When the ceremony ends, please proceed to the nearest door to exit the seating area
- Please contact lake-ods@wright.edu for accommodations
FINDING MY FAMILY/GRADUATE
- Meeting your family/graduate will be outside and away from the building immediately following the ceremony
- Social distancing will be observed at all times
- This will allow us to clean/sanitize and set-up for the next ceremony
Ceremony Length
Our 2021 ceremonies should last approximately 45 minutes each.
Disability Accommodations
Graduates & Guests with Disabilities
All seating is first-come, first-served and reservations are not accepted. For those inquiring about accommodations, please email ods-lake@wright.edu.
Wright State University recognizes the needs of guests with disabilities as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. We continue to make every effort to comply with state and federal accessibility regulations and make reasonable accommodations for guests with disabilities.
Parking
Free parking, including handicapped-accessible spaces, is available.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located in the lobby of Romer’s Celina facility.
Etiquette
The commencement ceremony is a special event for all involved. It commemorates the completion of an educational goal by the graduate and allows family and friends to participate in a celebration of that completion. Please show respect for everyone who has come to share in the experience.
- During the reading of graduate names, we ask graduates and their guests to be considerate in their applause so that all names are heard clearly and the ceremony is not disrupted.
- Please remain seated for the entire ceremony.
- Turn off or place your phone in silent mode to ensure that all guests may hear and enjoy the ceremony.
Seating Arrangements
Seating arrangements for the ceremonies are developed based upon the population of the ceremony participants, including the graduating students, faculty, and staff.
Backpacks and Bags Policy
All backpacks are subject to search by security personnel upon entering the facility.
No backpacks are permitted in the graduate section. Graduates, please give all backpacks, satchels, purses, and any bag over 8 inches to family or friends to hold until commencement has ended.
Graduating with Honors
Latin Honors
Undergraduate students with outstanding academic records are recognized at commencement. Latin Honors are based on the achievement of high grades. Three distinctions are noted:
FOR STUDENTS FIRST ENROLLED PRIOR TO FALL 2006:
- Summa Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.8
- Magna Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.6
- Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4
FOR STUDENTS FIRST ENROLLED DURING OR POST FALL 2006:
- Summa Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.9
- Magna Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.7
- Cum Laude indicates a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5
Undergraduate students who have earned these distinctions wear white cords in recognition of their achievements and have their level of distinction noted by their name in the printed program. The above information applies to undergraduate students only. Graduate students are required to maintain a certain grade point average, and Latin Honors do not apply to them.
REQUIREMENTS TO ATTAIN LATIN HONORS
Latin Honors are based on meeting the minimum honors grade point average requirements for work attempted at Wright State University and for all college work attempted as of the end of the term in which the student graduates (that is, by the day on which term grades are due). In calculating cumulative grade point averages for honors, only the first grade earned for a course will be counted. To be eligible for academic honors at graduation, students must have earned at least 30 semester hours at Wright State University. Please keep in mind that transfer credits from other colleges and universities are also used to calculate the grade point average in determining Latin Honors.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the printed program with respect to degrees awarded and honors conferred. The honors indicated in the program are based upon the student’s grade point average at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. The appearance of a name in the list of degree candidates is not to be regarded as conclusive since some final grades are not submitted until after commencement. The student’s permanent academic record (transcript) is the official record.
Getting Your Diploma (Conferral of Degrees)
Since our commencement ceremonies immediately follow final exams, we are not able to certify the completion of graduation requirements prior to commencement. Therefore, Wright State University does not distribute diplomas at its ceremonies.
Diplomas
Students who are graduating will receive their diplomas in the mail. (Please note it may take 6–8 weeks to receive your diploma.)
Visit the RaiderConnect website to learn more about receiving your diploma.
Caps and Gowns, Academic Attire, Announcements, & Invitations
Caps, gowns, announcements, and other items of this type may be ordered from our Lake Campus Bookstore.
Caps/gowns will also be available in the bookstore up to the day before the Commencement Ceremony. To ensure availability and correct fit, you are encouraged to purchase yours early. Please note: if you do not purchase your cap and gown from the Lake Campus Barnes & Noble Bookstore, please be sure you obtain the correct color for your gown, tassel, and/or hood. If you are participating in the Dayton Campus ceremony and live near Lake Campus, please call the WSU Bookstore on the Dayton Campus to place your order.
A reminder that the Lake Campus costume of the day is as follows:
- Associate Degree: Silver cap and gown
- Bachelor’s Degree: Green cap and gown
You may want to consider opening your cap and gown a few days prior to the ceremony. Iron according to the instructions; irons on the premises the evening of the event are not permitted due to safety precautions.
Please contact the Lake Campus bookstore directly with questions about regalia and invitations at 419-586-0345.
Academic Attire
Candidates for graduation are required to wear the appropriate academic attire (cap, gown, and hood, if applicable) to participate in the ceremony. The academic robe is different for each of the awards presented—undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate. The hoods or tassels represent the college, school, or major field in which the student is receiving the degree. Following are the color designations for each college, school or discipline:
- Graduate School, graduate-level – Black
- Post-Graduate School, postgraduate level – Gold
- Boonshoft School of Medicine – Green
- School of Professional Psychology – Royal Blue
- *College of Engineering and Computer Science – Orange or Yellow
- *College of Science and Mathematics – Yellow
- Raj Soin College of Business – Drab
- College of Liberal Arts – White
- College of Education and Human Services – Light Blue
- College of Nursing and Health – Apricot
*NOTE: The proper color for all "Sciences" is Golden Yellow, with the exception for engineering students, for whom the proper color is Orange.
You should wear the color (and gown) of the highest level degree you are receiving. If they are of equal ranking (i.e. two bachelor's degrees), wear the color of the group with whom you are seated. You may not wear more than one tassel.
A reminder that the Lake Campus costume of the day is as follows:
- Associate Degree: Silver cap and gown
- Bachelor’s Degree: Green cap and gown
You may want to consider opening your cap and gown a few days prior to the ceremony. Iron according to the instructions; irons on the premises the evening of the event are not permitted due to safety precautions.
At the start of the ceremony, tassels, should be placed to the graduate's right side.
Photos
Restrictions prohibit individual graduate pictures. We do want to celebrate you, though!
We would love a photo of YOU in your graduation apparel or Wright State gear! A montage of pictures received from our graduates will be prepared and shared on our website, social media, etc.
Please submit one (1) photo via email to graduation@wright.edu no later than April 15, 2021.
Tickets
All graduates and their guests, and faculty and staff, must have a ticket to enter Romer’s Celina facility for all ceremonies. Tickets are given to graduates and their guests at no charge. Graduates can pick up their one (1) Graduate Ticket for their own entry into the facility and up to four (4) General Admission Guest Tickets. Seats have been marked in groups of four to accommodate social distancing.
All must present their photo ID when picking up tickets. Alternatively, someone other than the graduate may pick up the tickets; however, they must present both the student’s photo ID as well as their own photo ID.
All tickets are free, but limited due to State of Ohio/University COVID-19 restrictions.
Tickets Pick-up Dates and Times
Commencement tickets will be available for faculty, staff and student pick-up at the table outside the Lake Campus Bookstore on these dates:
- Thursday, April 22, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Monday, April 26, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
The Bookstore will be open these hours as well so caps and gowns may be picked up at the same time.
All Ticket Pick-up
Tickets are not mailed. There are several options for ticket pick-up shown above.
Please have your ID ready. If you are picking up for someone else, please have your ID as well as the graduate's ID or a legible copy of the graduate’s ID. Once we have reached building capacity, no more guest tickets will be dispersed.
Guests without tickets can watch commencement remotely from the Wright State University – Lake Campus Facebook page: http://facebook.com/lakecampus.
Lost Tickets
In the event that you lose your tickets, duplicate or replacement tickets are not an option.
Ticketing Frequently Asked Questions
Why Tickets?
Spring graduation applications (and the application fee, which is not related to Commencement) were due Friday, January 23, 2021. Lake Campus graduates had until March 19, 2021, to decide if they were going to attend Commencement. There is no charge to attend Commencement.
Because the number of graduates attending Commencement fluctuates for each ceremony, we estimate the number of graduates that will walk at Commencement. For ticket distribution, graduates are eligible for one (1) ticket for themselves and four (4) tickets for their guests.
Does my 3-year old need a ticket?
Children three and under do not need a ticket as long as they sit on a lap.
Seating
Guest seating is General Admission. Due to COVID-19, guests must sit in designated seats of four.
Remote Viewing
The Lake Campus ceremonies will have remote viewing. Watch online from the Wright State University – Lake Campus Facebook page: http://facebook.com/lakecampus.
Broadcast Information
For those unable to receive a ticket or unable to physically attend, our commencement ceremonies will be streamed online.
Live Streaming
Wright State will provide a live stream of the ceremony as it occurs: www.facebook.com/lakecampus.
Concessions
We are unable to have concessions open at this time. Also, water fountains are non-functioning at this time. If you have an emergency, please see an usher or event volunteer.
Applying for Graduation
Follow these steps:
- Log in to WINGS Express.
- Select Apply for Graduation.
- Select your Degree. For dual degrees, you must apply separately for each one.
Deadlines to Apply for Graduation
Spring Semester 2021
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate and Graduate Deadline to Apply for Graduation | Friday, January 22, 2021 |
| Lake Campus Graduation / Commencement |
Wednesday, April 28, 5 p.m. |
Summer Semester 2021
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate and Graduate Deadline to Apply for Graduation | Friday, May 21, 2021 |
Duplicate Diplomas
Request a duplicate diploma. There is a $35 fee.
