After you apply to graduate, complete this STUDENT RESPONSE FORM to indicate whether or not you will be participating/walking in the Commencement Ceremony no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH.
What's the difference between graduation and commencement?
College graduation marks the official completion of a students' degree requirements, while commencement is a ceremonial event that celebrates those accomplishments and looks toward the future.
The Commencement Ceremony is a special time to celebrate your accomplishments with family, friends, mentors and classmates. We look forward to recognizing your outstanding efforts as you join the ranks of our proud and successful alumni network.
The ceremony will last approximately 1 1/2 – 2 hours and includes a welcome address, conferral of degrees, recognition of individual graduates by name and presentation of diploma covers. Doctoral and Master’s candidates will be hooded during the ceremony. Sign language interpreting services will be provided at all PennWest ceremonies.
Commencement Event/Ceremony Questions:
commencementceremony@pennwest.edu
Academic Graduation/Degree Questions:
graduation@pennwest.edu
Please check your PennWest email often for the latest information from commencementceremony@pennwest.edu and graduation@pennwest.edu to prepare for the Commencement Ceremony, and for your graduation (completion of your degree requirements). Be sure to check back to this site for updates as we get closer to celebrating your graduation!
Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
California – Convocation Center - Directions to PennWest-California
Clarion – Marwick Boyd Auditorium - Directions to PennWest-Clarion
Edinboro – McComb Field House - Directions to PennWest-Edinboro
The Pittsburgh International Airport is the closest airport to each PennWest Campus.
Do you want your chance to leave a legacy with your senior class? Applications are being accepted for the December 14, 2024, Student Commencement Speakers beginning September 9 and will remain open through September 27 for each PennWest campus. Interviews will take place in the first couple weeks of October. All eligible students must be a graduating senior in the December 2024 commencement class and an active member of the University community with a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Use this Commencement Speaker Application link to apply.
All guests must have a ticket to attend Commencement on each campus (guests 2 years old or younger do not need a ticket). The maximum amount of guest tickets available to each graduate is based on the size of the graduating class and the size of the venue on each campus and will be announced at a later date.
Graduates will receive guest ticketing allotment and ordering information from commencementceremony@pennwest.edu sent to their PennWest email later this fall. (guest tickets are no charge and can only be ordered/provided by the graduate)
On-line LIVESTREAM broadcast links will be posted later in the semester for each ceremony so your family and friends can watch Commencement from the comfort of their own homes! Only those attending Commencement in person will have their name announced during the ceremony, and all eligible graduates will have their names in the printed programs.
Each campus will have a commencement rehearsal prior to Commencement (dates and times shown below). Rehearsal is not mandatory but may be helpful to assist some students with getting more comfortable with the Commencement venue and the program.
All graduates walking at Commencement will receive all needed information and details via their PennWest email the week prior to Commencement and will also be directed when they arrive at the Commencement venue and during the ceremony.
STUDENT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY REHEARSAL
CALIFORNIA CAMPUS
Convocation Center
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 11AM – 12PM
President’s Celebration for Graduating Students
Natali Student Center (Gail Lese Heritage Lounge)
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 12PM – 1PM
CLARION CAMPUS Rehearsal for Graduates
Marwick-Boyd Auditorium
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 1PM – 2PM
President’s Celebration for Graduating Students
Room 107, Gemmell Student Center (Space next to The Store)
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 1PM - 3PM
EDINBORO CAMPUS Rehearsal for Graduates
McComb Fieldhouse
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 1PM – 2PM
President’s Celebration for Graduating Students
Pogue Student Center – Multi-Purpose Room
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 2PM - 4PM
Commencement rehearsals and President’s celebration reception are optional.
10am - 4pm
October 15, 2024: Edinboro Campus - Pogue Student Center
October 16, 2024: Clarion Campus - Gemmell Student Center
October 21, 2024: California Campus - Natali Student Center
Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees, get your Commencement caps, hoods (masters) gowns, tassels, and more at the Grad Fair OR order online (doctoral regalia must be ordered online).
Regalia Ordering DEADLINE: November 17, 2024
Representatives from across University departments and regalia consultants will be in attendance to aid with your academic graduation and Commencement ceremony questions, as well as games, refreshments, and prizes!
Grad Fair and / or Regalia questions? Contact your campus Bookstore:
Graduates will receive a diploma cover during the Commencement ceremony, which contains information regarding their official diploma. Diplomas will be mailed approximately one month after completion of degree requirements and degrees are conferred.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Doctoral, Masters, Bachelors, Associate Degrees
10am - Health Science & Human Services
2:30pm - Education, Arts & Humanities AND Science, Technology & Business
UNSURE WHAT COLLEGE YOUR MAJOR IS? CHECK OUT THIS LINK: https://www.pennwest.edu/academics/programs/
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
PennWest contracts with GradImages® for official graduate photos taken during the ceremony. GradImages will contact graduates via their PennWest email after the ceremony with proofs for review and purchase information.
Keep checking your PennWest email for updated information and instructions for your special day!
All graduates will receive an online survey sent to their PennWest email after Commencement so you can let us know how we did and to help us strive for continuous improvement.
Congratulations and we hope you enjoy your special day and will participate in the survey afterwards!
