When to Arrive
EWU will host THREE separate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Please attend the ceremony that matches the level of the degree you are earning.
Please pay careful attention to the arrival times highlighted in yellow below (late arrivals may not be seated with their peers in their major program).
| MORNING CEREMONY |
AFTERNOON CEREMONY |
EVENING CEREMONY |
|
Master's & Doctoral Students (All Colleges) Starts at 9:00 AM Please arrive promptly at 7:30 AM (90 minutes before ceremony) for graduate lineup. |
Bachelor's Students (CHSPH & CPP) Starts at 1:30 PM Please arrive promptly at 12:30 PM (60 minutes before ceremony) for graduate lineup. |
Bachelor's Students Starts at 5:00 PM Please arrive promptly at 4:00 PM (60 minutes before ceremony) for graduate lineup. |
Venue Policies
Graduates and guests are strongly encouraged to review The Podium's "Know Before You Go" policies before attending commencement.
The Podium's website provides important information about the following items:
- Clear bag policy
- Prohibited items (including strollers, balloons, and artificial noisemakers, to name a few)
- Security procedures
- Cashless concessions
Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be conducted during the ceremony.
Students needing accommodations to participate in the graduation ceremonies should contact EWU Student Accommodations and Support Services (SASS) at sass@ewu.edu or 509.359.6871 at least a week prior to the event.
ADA parking and accessible venue entrance is highlighted on the Parking Map in purple.
If you need assistance on Commencement Day, please connect with any staff member.
Parking Information
Graduates and guests can park for FREE in lots A and B. Pay lots are also available nearby and offer parking for purchase. ADA parking is marked on the map in purple.
Please allow a little extra time for parking due to several other events planned in the downtown Spokane area during commencement weekend.
Are Tickets Required?
Tickets are NOT REQUIRED to attend the commencement ceremonies. Seating and parking will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open 90 minutes before the morning ceremony and 60 minutes before the afternoon and evening ceremonies.
What to Wear
All graduates participating in the ceremonies are expected to wear the appropriate academic cap and gown.
The EWU Eagle Store carries all of your regalia needs in-store and online (including caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, honor cords, stoles, etc.).
Order Regalia
Still need your cap and gown?
Bachelor's Students
Please arrive already dressed in your black cap and gown.
Tassel: During the ceremony, wear your tassel over your RIGHT eye. At the end of the ceremony, you will be directed to move the tassel from right to left.
Stoles (Optional): If you have purchased an honorary stole (e.g. the red stole of gratitude, the red and white 1st generation stole, or one of the armed forces branch stoles), please wear the stole around your shoulders with the center point at the base of your neck.
Honor Cords (If Applicable): If you have met the requirements and are eligible to wear an honor cord, please wear the cord around your shoulders with the center point at the base of your neck. If you are wearing a stole, please wear your honors cord on top of the stole.
Master's Students
Please arrive already dressed in your black cap and gown.
Tassel: During the ceremony, wear your tassel over your LEFT eye. You will not move your tassel during the ceremony. Master candidate tassels match the same color as the hood worn. Doctorate candidate tassels will be Old Gold.
Hoods: Master's and Doctoral students should have a velvet hood in a color that corresponds to their area of study.
- Master's Students: Please carry your hood into the venue instead of wearing it upon arrival. Faculty and staff will help you put on the hood during graduate lineup.
- Doctoral Students: Please carry your hood into the venue instead of wearing it upon arrival. All Doctoral students will be hooded on stage.
Stoles (Optional): If you have purchased an honorary stole (e.g. the red stole of gratitude, the red and white 1st generation stole, or one of the armed forces branch stoles), please wear the stole around your shoulders with the center point at the base of your neck.
Can I decorate my cap?
You can certainly decorate your cap! We love to see your creativity in action. Please refrain from using any offensive language, sayings, nicknames, pictures, or lyrics on your cap. Also, please make sure your decorations lay flat on the cap and will not impede the view of your fellow graduates.
What to Expect On Commencement Day
Professional Photography & Livestream Video
For those unable to attend the celebration, the ceremony will be streamed live.
Links to the livestream videos will be available on the morning of commencement day.
A professional photographer will take at least one picture of each graduate as they receive their diploma cover. Graduates will be photographed with no obligation to purchase. Photos will be available for purchase through After Image Visual Services. Please visit their website 2-3 days after the ceremony to view a proof.
When You Arrive
GRADUATE ENTRANCE
All graduates should use the Grad/ADA entrance (marked on the map in purple).
Please remember to leave all food, drink, hangers, purses, strollers, etc. in your vehicle.
GUEST ENTRANCE
Guests should use the main entrance (marked on the map in green).
Guests needing assistance should use the Grad/ADA entrance (marked in purple).
Please remember to leave all food, drink, hangers, purses, strollers, etc. in your vehicle.
During the Ceremony
GRADUATE LINEUP
Please follow staff directions to your correct lineup area. Remember to arrive early so that you have time to line up with your fellow graduates!
ANNOUNCING YOUR NAME
Each graduate will find a red bag on their chair. Please fill out the white and yellow cards inside with the provided pencil.
- The WHITE card is your name card. Please write your name on the card as you prefer it to be read and provide a phonetic spelling if desired.
- The YELLOW card is your photo card. It is important to fill out this card for the photographers to match your picture with your name. There is no obligation to purchase photos.
During the ceremony, staff will instruct each row to stand and head to the stage during the ceremony. Bring both cards with you to the stage and hand them to the reader as your name is announced.
After crossing the stage and receiving your diploma cover, please return to your seat until the end of the ceremony.
Recession
LEAVING THE CEREMONY
At the end of the ceremony, please wait to be released. The Platform Party will descend the stage and recess down the center aisle, followed by the faculty.
When directed, please follow commencement staff directions and exit the building to the east toward Washington Street.
Where do I meet my guests/graduates after the ceremony?
When the ceremony ends, you will NOT be able to reunite with your guests/graduates inside the venue.
Instead, please exit the building as directed by staff and meet your guests outside on the NORTH side along Joe Albi Way. Once you have reunited, please return to your vehicles to allow for the arrival of guests for the next ceremony.
Additional FAQs for Grads & Guests
There will be THREE separate ceremonies on Saturday, June 15th. Each ceremony honors a specific group of graduates. Please make sure you attend the ceremony that aligns with your major and degree level.
- Morning Ceremony (9:00 AM)
- Master's & Doctoral Degree Candidates from ALL COLLEGES
- Afternoon Ceremony (1:30 PM)
- Bachelor's Degree Candidates from CHSPH & CPP
- Evening Ceremony (5:00 PM)
- Bachelor's Degree Candidates from CAHSS & CSTEM
Still not sure which ceremony you should attend? Use the Degree Lookup Tool to find out which ceremony your degree is in!
This year's ceremonies will honor graduates from Fall 2023 through Summer 2024. Students who are graduating in Fall 2024 are welcome to attend, but please note that your name will not be in the program until next year.
You can now pre-order leis and flower bouquets from The Commencement Group for your graduate! All online orders will be available for pickup on Commencement Day at the ceremony venue.
The 2024 Grad Fair is scheduled for:
- Cheney Campus: EWU Eagle Store, February 26-27, 2024
- Spokane Campus: EWU Catalyst Building, February 28-29, 2024
Grad Fair is the Eagle Store's kick-off for graduation merchandise. It is an opportunity to take professional graduation photos and order your cap and gown, graduation announcements, and other graduation items. Graduation regalia is available for purchase in-store starting in mid-February 2024.
The EWU Alumni Association's annual Senior Send-Off event is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 2-4 PM. Please register here and join your fellow Eags on the lawn of Showalter Hall for a ceremonial walk back through the Herculean Pillars, music, Eagle4Life swag, cap decorating, and more!
Absolutely! Please remember to register to attend both ceremonies.
No. The May ceremony is for semester-based degree programs only.
Diplomas are not distributed at commencement.
After verification that all degree requirements have been completed, undergraduate diplomas will be mailed from the Registrar's Office approximately six weeks after the end of the term. Graduate diplomas will be mailed from the Graduate Programs Office approximately six weeks after graduation.
If you have a change of address, please update your Diploma Mailing Address on EagleNET immediately!
Please note that your diploma will not be mailed until all financial obligations are cleared with the university.
