You’ve made a
DIFFERENCE
Commencement marks an extremely important transition in the lives of our students. This prestigious ceremony would not be possible without the involvement and support of UWO faculty and staff. See below the various ways you can get involved with commencement.
Join the faculty processional
In centuries-old tradition, faculty and academic staff wear academic regalia as a symbol of their commitment to teaching, research, creative activities and noble service. This attire is symbolic with origins in the Middle Ages.
PURCHASE ATTIRE
Contact Wendy VanAhn from University Books & More at vanahn@uwosh.edu to purchase doctoral regalia. Regalia purchases must be placed no later than March 14, 2025. No rental regalia will be available this semester.
Some regalia may also be available to borrow on a first come, first served basis through the Special Events Office. Faculty and staff are asked to complete the processional form to request borrowed regalia.
PROCESSIONAL FORM
Complete this form by Friday, May 2 to participate in the processional.
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Volunteer at commencement
There are two types of jobs at commencement: one assisting graduates and guests as they arrive for each ceremony and one during the ceremony. We ask all volunteers to be flexible as needs may change the day of commencement. We will do our best to assign volunteers to their requested jobs.
TICKET TAKERS
Greet family and guests at the front door, scan paper and electronic tickets and direct guests on where they should go as they enter the field house.
GRADUATE REGISTRATION
Greet our graduates upon arrival and check them in for the ceremony. Registration begins 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and ends 10 minutes after the ceremony begins. If you have an affiliation to a particular college, let us know.
AMBASSADOR
Greet families and guests, hand out programs and help answer questions.
CEREMONY ASSISTANT
Assist in guiding graduates upstairs into their seats for the ceremony. Ceremony assistants will also guide students onto the stage during the conferral of the degrees and back to their seats once they have crossed the stage. Following the ceremonies, these volunteers will help with cleaning the field house.
VOLUNTEER FOR COMMENCEMENT