Wilkes University extends congratulations to our graduating students and their families. On Saturday, May 18, 2013, the University will celebrate the achievements of our graduates when we host the 66th Annual Spring Commencement exercises. This year, Commencement returns to campus after six years at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The ceremony for graduate students (Doctorate and Masters) will be held at 10 AM, with the ceremony for Bachelors graduates being held at 2 PM.
The Office of Student Affairs manages commencement and its related activities and events. Questions regarding Commencement should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs at Passan Hall (570) 408-4100.
This website will be updated with the latest information about this year’s commencement as it becomes available.
Keynote Address
Ronald Rittenmeyer, chairman, president and CEO of Expert Global Solutions, Inc., will deliver the spring 2013 commencement address. Rittenmeyer, a Kingston, Pa., native now living in Plano, Texas, graduated from Wilkes in 1972 with a degree in commerce and economics. He will receive an honorary degree, the doctor of humane letters, honoring him for his leadership and distinguished contributions to the fields of business and industry. [MORE]
Senior Salute
Senior Salute, the first of the official graduation activities, will be held on April 17 and April 18. It will take place in the Ballroom on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 17 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
on April 18.
Senior Salute allows all graduating students to complete the required Senior Checkout in one stop. The process is simple: register at the door and take the checkout sheet you are given to each table. There will be drawings, prizes and goodies as well as lunch. Stay as long as you like or visit a second time.
In addition, caps and gowns will be ready for distribution at that time. Graduation announcements and tickets to the Senior Dinner Dance will also be available. Balfour will have a representative available for those students who wish to order a class ring. A class ring is a gift idea that takes on more significance, as graduation grows closer.
We look forward to seeing all graduating students at Senior Salute.
Senior Week Activities - Will be held the week of April 14th. Click here for details.
Announcements
Each graduate will receive six announcements. Announcements can be picked up at Senior Salute on April 17 and 18 at the Henry Student Center. Graduating students unable to attend Senior Salute can pick up their announcements at the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of Passan Hall (267 South Franklin Street). Additional announcements can be purchased at a cost of $.50 per announcement.
Academic Attire
All graduates participating in the commencement ceremony must wear proper academic attire. The charge for the cap and gown is included in the commencement fee.
Caps and gowns will be distributed at Senior Salute on April 17 and 18 at the Henry Student Center. Students unable to attend Senior Salute will be able to pick up their academic regalia at the Office of Student Affairs located on the second floor of Passan Hall (267 South Franklin Street) from April 25 through May 16. Pick up times are Monday through Friday, 9:30am until 4:30pm. All caps, gowns and hoods will be transferred from Passan Hall the afternoon of May 17. Those graduates who are unable to pick up their academic regalia prior to May 18 should expect to obtain it at the robing site at the University Center on Main (UCOM).
Note: Caps and gowns for Masters Candidates will be mailed to home addresses after April 25.
If you pick up your academic apparel and wish to iron it, do so with a cool iron. Do not worry about how to "don" the hood - we will help with that on Commencement Day. We will have safety pins and bobby pins at the University Center on Main (UCOM) on Commencement morning; however, you may want to bring your own to be certain you have what you need.
The academic costume looks best when worn over dark shoes and dark lower garments. The collar of a white shirt or blouse complements the academic robe nicely. Members of the Student Affairs staff will be available at the University Center on Main (UCOM) to help graduates with robing.
Baccalaureate Service
For graduates and their families will be held Friday, May 17 at 6:45 PM at the Darling Theater of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. This is a non-denominational service led by our graduating seniors and should be about 45 minutes in duration.
Commencement at the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center
- To see a diagram of the Marts Center set-up for graduation, click here
The 66th Annual Spring Commencement ceremonies will be held at the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center (274 South Franklin Street). The ceremony for graduate students will begin at 10 AM. The Bachelors degree ceremony will begin at 2 PM. Doors to the Marts Center will open at 9:00 AM for the 10 AM ceremony and 1:00 PM for the 2 PM ceremony. The Marts Center will close between ceremonies for cleaning and preparations.
Admission to the 2 PM ceremony (Bachelors) will be by ticket only. Each graduate will be issued 10 tickets. In the past, this has proved to be an adequate number of tickets for each graduate. Should a graduate wish to have a few more tickets, the University will try to fulfill that request. These requests won’t be filled until Senior Week. Viewing stations in the Marts Center and around campus will be available to view the ceremony live.
Tickets will not be required for the 10 AM graduate student ceremony.
University staff and ushers will be positioned at information tables in the lobby to answer questions from families and guests.
At the conclusion of both ceremonies, the graduates will recess to South Franklin Street.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the Marts Center. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all University parking lots.
A reception for graduates and their families will be held on campus immediately following each ceremony.
Assembly of Graduates
Please be on time for the line-up of graduates. Those who are not in line in academic regalia as the procession begins will not be able to march in the parade of graduates with their classmates.
Masters and Doctoral students will assemble at the University Center on Main (UCOM) beginning at 8:30 AM. The final line-up of graduates will begin at 9:15 AM. Graduates will leave from the University Center on Main (UCOM) to process to the Marts Center at 9:45 AM. Do not bring valuables to the University Center on Main (UCOM) as there will be no place to lock them away.
Bachelors Degree graduates will assemble at the University Center on Main (UCOM) beginning at 12:30 PM. The final line-up of graduates will begin at 1:15 PM. Graduates will leave from the University Center on Main (UCOM) to process to the Marts Center at 1:45 PM. Do not bring valuables to the University Center on Main (UCOM) as there will be no place to lock them away.
Diplomas
The Deans for Student Affairs will announce the names of the graduates in alphabetical order by college, honors status, and major. Graduates will be placed in line for the academic procession according to where their names appear in the commencement program.
The University makes every attempt to present each graduate with his/her diploma. Should you receive someone else's diploma by mistake, please see the Registrar at the end of the ceremony at the stage.
Graduates with outstanding debts to the University will not receive their diploma until the debt is satisfied.
Photographs
Earl and Sedor Photography will take a photograph of each graduate when the President awards the diploma. Earl and Sedor will provide information to all graduates as to how they can access their proofs on line.
No one, except for the professional photographer and the media with appropriate credentials, will be allowed near the stage area for the purpose of taking photographs or videotaping.
Videotaping
The commencement ceremony will be videotaped. The video will be archived on the University’s website for later viewing.
Parking
All University parking lots will be open and available for parking on Commencement day. The University will operate its shuttles prior to and after the ceremonies to assist guests moving from the parking lots to the Marts Center and back.
Parking for persons with disabilities is available adjacent to and across the street from the Marts Center.
Special Assistance Seating
Special seating for guests with mobility impairments is available on the floor and on the first level of the stands at the Marts Center. Because of space constraints one escort may accompany the mobility-impaired individual to the special seating area. Arrangements for disability seating can be made by dialing the Office of Student Affairs at (570) 408-4100.
Faculty/Staff Information
Faculty should arrive at the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center by 9 AM for the Graduate ceremony and 1 PM for the Bachelors ceremony. Faculty will proceed to the lower level and follow directions to the Faculty Robing Area.
Questions
If you have questions please call the Office of Student Affairs at (570) 408-4100. In case of an emergency on Commencement weekend please call Public Safety at (570) 408-4999.
