Applying to Graduate vs. Applying for Commencement – What YOU need to KNOW!
🎓 Applying to Graduate
This is the official academic process where a student requests to be evaluated for degree completion.
Purpose: To confirm that you’ve met all the academic requirements for your degree (credits, GPA, major/minor requirements, etc.).
What it triggers:
A formal review of your academic record.
The awarding of your degree (if all requirements are met).
Being listed in the official Commencement Program.
Your diploma being processed and mailed.
Important to know: You can graduate without participating in the commencement ceremony.
Go to: https://inside.ewu.edu/records-and-registration/apply-to-graduate/
🎉 Applying for Commencement
This is the event registration process for walking in the graduation ceremony.
Purpose: To participate in the public celebration of your achievement.
What it includes:
Ordering your cap and gown.
Registering for your specific commencement ceremony.
Getting tickets for guests.
Important to know: You can attend the ceremony even if your degree hasn’t been officially conferred yet (depending on university policy).
Go to: https://inside.ewu.edu/commencement/
❌ Common Mistakes When Applying to Graduate:
Missing the Deadline
Many students assume they’ll be automatically graduated. You must apply by the posted deadline.
✅ Tip: Set a calendar reminder early in the term.
Not Checking Degree Requirements
Students sometimes apply without confirming they’ve met all academic requirements (e.g., GPA, credits, major/minor courses).
✅ Tip: Meet with your academic advisor before applying.
Assuming Graduation = Ceremony
Applying to graduate does not mean you’re signed up for the ceremony.
✅ Tip: Complete both applications if you want to walk.
Incorrect Diploma Information
Typos in your name or wrong mailing address can delay or misdirect your diploma.
✅ Tip: Double-check your student profile and diploma name entry.
❌ Common Mistakes When Applying for Commencement
Thinking It’s Required
Some students stress about attending, but the ceremony is optional.
✅ Tip: Choose what’s meaningful for you—celebration or just the credential.
Waiting Too Long to Order Regalia
Caps and gowns can sell out or incur late fees.
Visit: https://eaglestore.ewu.edu/home for complete ordering information
✅ Tip: Order early to avoid stress and extra costs.
Guest Ticketing Process
EWU limits the number of tickets allowed, and late requests may not be honored.
Go to: https://goeags.evenue.net/promotions/EWUCOMMENCEMENT26
Your tickets can be transferred through your goeags.evenue.net account.
✅ Tip: Apply early and communicate with family about ticket needs.
Assuming You Can Walk Without Approval
Some universities require you to be within a certain number of credits to participate.
This year’s ceremonies will honor graduates from Fall 2025 through Summer 2026. Students who are graduating in Fall 2026 are welcome to attend, but please note that your name will not be in the program until next year.
✅ Tip: Check your school’s policy on “walking early” or “in absentia.”
The May Semester Commencement Ceremony is for the College of Health Science and Public Health’s semester-based programs. Programs represented at the ceremony include graduates from:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders – BA, MA, PB
- Dental Hygiene – BS, Health Science
- Nursing – BSN
- Occupational Therapy – MOT
- Phsical Therapy – DPT
- Please email chsph@ewu.edu for degree and graduation requirement questions.
Still not sure which ceremony you should attend? Use the Degree Lookup Tool to find out which ceremony your degree is in!
EWU will host Quarter Based Program commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th, 2026 at Reese Court in Cheney, WA.
Friday, June 12, 2026, Ceremonies
9:00AM – College of Professional Programs
School of Psychology and School of Social Work
1:00PM – College of Professional Programs
School of Business and School of Professional Accounting
5:00PM – College of Professional Programs
School of Education, Interdisciplinary Studies and
Organizational Leadership
Questions? Email cpp@ewu.edu for more information.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, Ceremonies
9:00AM – College of Health Science and Public Health
Email chsph@ewu.edu for more information.
1:00PM – College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Email cstem@ewu.edu for more information.
5:00PM – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Email cahss@ewu.edu for more information.
Not sure which college a graduate is from? Please use the Degree Lookup Tool to find the student’s degree program of study.
This year’s ceremonies will honor graduates from Fall 2025 through Summer 2026. Students who are graduating in Fall 2026 are welcome to attend, but please note that your name will not be in the program until next year.
For Complete Information, and to Register, please visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/commencement/health-science/
For Complete Information, and to Register, please visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/commencement/juneceremony/
For the May Semester Commencement Ceremony Tickets are not required.
For the June Commencement Ceremonies Tickets WILL BE REQUIRED.
Once you register for commencement you will receive a confirmation email with instructions and a link to “purchase” Up To 8 FREE tickets for family and friends for your specific ceremony. Seating and parking will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once you have registered for your Commencement Ceremony you will receive this confirmation email.
IMPORTANT TICKET ORDERING INFORMATION: register via your EWU email address, regarding how to “purchase” your FREE TICKETS (based on space availability) to your individual Commencement Ceremony for family and friends.
Go to: https://goeags.evenue.net/promotions/EWUCOMMENCEMENT26
Please purchase your tickets as soon as you can (reminder you are only allowed up to 8 tickets). Those requesting more than 8 tickets would need to email commencement@ewu.edu with the ceremony information and number of extra tickets you are requesting. Tickets would be allocated on a space available basis approximately 2 weeks prior to ceremonies. All tickets will only be “sold” on a space availability basis.
If you are having trouble accessing your tickets please email the EWU Ticket Booth at tickets@ewu.edu
Details about about the ceremony can be found at https://inside.ewu.edu/commencement/
Any specific question please ask your College Admin or email us at commencement@ewu.edu
Please take a moment to review some quick information regarding ticket transfers for EWU Commencement this year.
Your tickets this year can be transferred through your goeags.evenue.net account.
To access this feature, simply go to the login page, at the following link :
There, login to your account and click on the “transfer” tab.
From the “transfer” tab, you or anyone who has access to your account will be able to select and send tickets digitally to anyone you would like. You can send these tickets to either an email address or a phone number. Simply select the tickets you would like to transfer and then input the information for the person who you’d like to transfer them to.
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, and more!).
Grad Fair is a time for graduating students to celebrate their achievements, explore package deals on regalia and get answers to commencement questions.
The Eagle Store Grad Fair Kick-Off Events will be held:
Grad Fair – Spokane Campus
Date: February 24-25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Catalyst Building, 1st Floor
Grad Fair – Cheney Campus
Dates: April 13-14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: EWU Eagle Store (Pence Union Building)
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.
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.
GRADUATE ENTRANCE: All graduates should use the Grad Entrance.
GUEST ENTRANCE: All Guests should use the Main Entrance.
*Please remember to leave all food, drink, hangers, purses, strollers, etc. in your vehicle.
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 (if you have not already done so). During the ceremony, staff will instruct each row to stand and head to the stage during the ceremony. Bring both cards with you.
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. You will hand this card to the photo assistant when you get you picture taken prior to going on stage. There is no obligation to purchase photos.
The WHITE card is your name card. Please clearly write your name on the card as you prefer it to be read and provide a phonetic spelling if desired.
You will hand this card directly to the Reader when you get to the top of the stairs leading onto the stage.
After crossing the stage and receiving your diploma cover (Photographers will also take your picture here receiving your diploma cover), please return to your seat until the end of the ceremony.
Absolutely! Please remember to Register to attend both ceremonies.
No. The May ceremony is for semester-based degree programs only.
Reese Court Security Procedures
All guests attending any of the Commencement Ceremonies at Reese Court will be subject to a CLEAR BAG POLICY that is subject to search. Diaper bags, medical bags, others are allowed but ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH.
-No outside food is allowed in the venue.
-Bring only essential items needed for the event.
-Leave ALL weapons at home. Weapons may include firearms, pocket knives, pepper spray, and wallet chains.
-If you bring a camera other than your mobile device, please ensure that it fits within your front pants pocket. No detachable lens cameras will be permitted.
-No balloons are allowed inside of the venue.
When to Arrive:
EWU will host the commencement ceremony for the Semester Programs of the College of Health Science and Public Health on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 9:30am at Reese Court in Cheney, WA.
8:30AM – Main Doors Open and Graduate Line-Up in the P.E. Activities Building. 9:30AM Ceremony.
EWU will host separate Quarter Program commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th, 2026 at Reese Court in Cheney, WA.
9:00AM Ceremonies
-7:45AM Graduate Line Up in Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse
-7:45AM Main Doors Open
1:00PM Ceremonies
-11:45AM Graduate Line Up in Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse
-11:45AM Main Doors Open
5:00PM Ceremonies
-3:45PM Graduate Line Up in Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse
-3:45PM Main Doors Open
Click below for parking information.
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.
If you need assistance on Commencement Day, please connect with any staff member.
ADA parking and accessible venue entrance is highlighted on the Parking Maps.
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 via the ramp on the east side of Reese Court.
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 of Reese Court. Roos Field will be available for photo opportunities!!
Once you have reunited, please return to your vehicles to allow for the arrival of guests for the next ceremony.
The EWU Alumni Association’s annual Senior Send-Off Event is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 2-4 PM. Please register 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!
Professional Photography & Livestream Video:
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.
For those unable to attend the celebration, the ceremony will be streamed live.
Links to the livestream will be available on the morning of commencement day.
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.
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.
This information will be updated soon.
