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Commencement

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.

Please visit this page often for updates and watch for our communications from Graduation@pennwest.edu

View Commencement details for:

PennWest Commencement General Information

Saturday, May 6th 10am and 2pm

Apply to Graduate!

If you have not yet applied to graduate, please visit our page here to learn how to apply. Deadline is March 15th, 2023.

Students who are able to graduate in Spring and Summer 2023 will walk in the May commencement ceremonies for all three campuses.

Graduation Fairs

California Campus – March 23 10am-4pm at the Campus Bookstore, Natali Student Center

Edinboro Campus – March 28 and 29, 1am-6pm at the Mutli-Purpose Room, Pogue Student Center

Clarion Campus – April 4, 10am-5pm, Campus Bookstore 109 Gemmell Student Complex

Commencement Ceremony

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 candidates will be hooded during the ceremony.  

Ceremony Breakdown

Please see below as to which ceremony you are to attend according to your major. NOTE: The ceremony times according to major are the same for all three PennWest campus ceremonies.

 

10:00 am:

AH College – College of Arts & Humanities

BU College – College of Business, Communication & Information Science

SS College – College of Social Science and Human Services

2:00 pm:

ED College – College of Education

HS College – College of Health Sciences

NS College – College of Natural Science & Engineering Technology

If you are unsure as to which college you be long to, you can find that information in your Degree Works audit or in your Student Profile.

Graduation Attire

Each graduate must wear an academic robe and matching cap. Caps and gowns must be ordered in advance of the ceremony (see details under campus information).

Master’s degree students: Please wear your hood to the ceremony.

  • Put your gown on first, then your hood, and finally your cap.
  • Before you put on the hood, make sure the button/cord on the back is unhooked.
  • With the tapered end in the front, place the hood over your head with the colored trim closest to your face.
  • Fasten the front cord around a button on your clothing to ensure your hood stays in place. If your clothing doesn’t have a button, you can attach to the zipper on your gown or safety pin it to your clothing.
  • In the back, flip the trim outwards so both the velvet and the silk are visible.

Doctoral degree students: You will be hooded during the ceremony.

  • The hood should be draped over your left arm, with the colored trim against your wrist, as you enter the stage
  • Hand the hood to the Dean with colors facing toward the Dean
  • Turn around facing the audience, bend at the knee if needed to allow the Dean to place hood over the cap
  • Dean will tap your shoulder to let you know it is time to proceed to the stage exit

Decorating Caps

We kindly ask that personal modifications to the mortarboards (caps) be limited to those expressing well-wishes and gratitude or affiliation with sanctioned organizations. Students are not permitted to have unacceptable decorations, offensive language or inappropriate images on the mortarboards. Students not following these guidelines will be given a new mortarboard to wear.

Diplomas

Graduates will receive a diploma folder during the ceremony which contains information regarding their official diploma. Diplomas will be mailed in June after grades have been finalized and degrees are conferred. Please note that all financial obligations must be met before the diploma will be mailed.

Guest Tickets

Tickets are required for commencement ceremonies. Information to follow regarding the quantity and distribution of tickets.

Honors Cords and Stoles (Undergraduate students only)

Graduates who have achieved honors are identified at commencement by honors cords or stoles, which are worn with the traditional academic attire. If you qualify for academic Latin Honors at graduation and/or are in the honors program, you may pick cords and/or stoles up at your the campus Graduation Fairs, or campus bookstore during regular business hours.

Latin Honors

This year – PennWest’s first official year as an integrated university – is the right time to institute new university-wide standards.

  • Out of respect for those students who reached the GPAs required for “high” and “highest” honors at two of our three campuses, the new criteria for graduating magna cum laude and summa cum laude will apply to students on all PennWest campuses beginning in Fall 2022.

 

PennWest takes great pride in its graduates and all they have achieved. These university-wide standards now apply, with the one-year exception for California students as noted below:

Bachelor’s degree-seeking students who have completed a minimum of 30 credits at PennWest (excluding credit by exam) and who have achieved the following cumulative grade-point averages as of the last graded term of their enrollment are eligible for Latin honors. 

  • Summa Cum Laude (3.80 - 4.00) – Gold stoles worn at commencement
  • Magna Cum Laude (3.60 - 3.79) –White stoles worn at commencement
  • Cum Laude (3.40 - 3.59) – Red stoles worn at commencement
  • Cum Laude (3.25 - 3.59) - California campus

Please note: Because grades from a student's final term of enrollment are not officially posted and recomputed until after graduation, honors cords or stoles, are awarded based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the previous semester. Honors for the final transcript are based on cumulative grade point average, including grades for the final semester.

Associate Degree Seeking Students

To receive a white honors Associate Degree with Distinction cord, a minimum of 15 credits must be completed at PennWest (excluding credit by exam) and you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher.

Honors Program

Graduates meeting the requirements of PennWest’s Honors Program will receive a gold cord.

Need some assistance before or during the ceremony?  Look for our staff members who are easily identified by their PennWest lanyards.

PennWest California Spring 2023 Commencement

Saturday, May 6th 10am and 2pm

Convocation Center
250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419

Want to share with extended family?  They can livestream the event online during the ceremony.

Doors open at 8:30 am and 1 pm

Driving Directions to PennWest California Campus
PennWest California Campus Map
PennWest California Convocation Center

Regalia Orders

The deadline for ordering caps, gowns, and hoods is April 5, 2023 to accommodate for processing and mailing time.  Doctoral gowns can only be ordered online.  

Masters, Bachelor and Associate caps, gowns and hoods are available at the campus bookstore or online.

Parking

All guests should park in Lot 4, the River Lot, behind the Convocation Center. (Convocation Center is letter Y on the map.)

Guests with Disabilities

We are unable to accommodate any advanced reservation of parking or seating for guests with disabilities. University staff will be available to help.

For guests with disabilities who require seating, please look for individuals wearing a blue PennWest lanyard in the Convocation Center lobby for assistance to limited seating on the first floor.

Lodging

Lodging closest to campus:

Lodging near California, PA:

*Special rates for California University visitors.

Photos and Videos

PennWest California contracts with Grad Images Photography, which will contact graduates via their PennWest email after the ceremony with proofs for review and purchase information.

Please be aware that members of the PennWest California communications staff will also be taking photographs for general marketing purposes throughout the ceremonies.

Lobby Vendors

The campus bookstore will offer a variety of gift items, flowers and balloons available for purchase at the Convocation Center.

Convocation Center Floorplan

PennWest Clarion Spring 2023 Commencement

Saturday, May 6th 10am and 2pm

Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium, Coach Cal Court
Greenville Avenue
Clarion, PA 16214

Want to share with extended family?  They can livestream the event online during the ceremony.

Doors open at 8:30 am and 1 pm

PennWest Clarion Driving Directions
PennWest Clarion Campus Map

Regalia Orders

Academic attire must be purchased online through Jostens. Full attire and separate items can be purchased through the website. Note that cap and gown shipping follows a lead time of at least 21 days.

Order Deadlines:

On campus students: Attire will ship to the Clarion Bookstore and be available for pick-up at the Bookstore Grad Fair on April 4th. If students do not pick up at the Grad Fair, they can pick up at the bookstore up to commencement day.

Doctoral & Masters Ordering Deadline: February 20, 2023
Associate & Bachelors Ordering Deadline: March 6, 2023

Students unable to pick up on campus and/or Online students: Can purchase their cap and gown through Jostens and select home shipping.  The deadline for those orders are listed below.

Doctoral & Masters Ordering Deadline: March 30, 2023
Associate & Bachelors Ordering Deadline: April 04, 2023

Instructions for Graduates

Graduates should arrive at the Tippin Auxiliary Gym Room at 9-9:15 am for the 10 am ceremony and 1-1:15 pm for the 2 pm ceremony to pick up their name card and robe. Name cards must be picked up no later than 9:45 am and 1:45 pm for each respective ceremony.

Parking

Those not requiring special accommodations are asked to park in one of the following lots:

  • Lot 11 (across from Greenville Ave from Tippin Gymnasium)
  • Lot 12 (behind Marwick Boyd Fine Arts Center)
  • Lot 14 & 16 (next to the Rec Center)

Guests with Disabilities

We are unable to accommodate any advanced reservation of parking or seating for guests with disabilities. University staff will be available to help.  Please look for individuals wearing a blue PennWest lanyard for assistance.

Wheelchair seating is available in the upper and lower levels and in the back of the gymnasium. Seating may not be available near other family members.

There will be a designated parking section for guests with disabilities in Lot 12 near Marwick Boyd.

University police officers will also be on hand that day to direct you.

Lodging

Photos and Videos

PennWest Clarion contracts with Grad Images Photography, which will contact graduates via their PennWest email after the ceremony with proofs for review and purchase information.

Please be aware that members of the PennWest staff will also be taking photographs for general marketing purposes throughout the ceremonies.

PennWest Edinboro Spring 2023 Commencement

Saturday May 6th, 10am and 2pm

McComb Fieldhouse
455 Scotland Rd.
Edinboro, PA 16412

Doors open at 9 am and 1 pm

PennWest Edinboro Driving Directions
PennWest Edinboro Campus Map

Regalia Orders

Orders for regalia can be made beginning March 28th and 29th during the Grad Fair. Unit purchases (cap, gown and tassel) are discounted $15 during the 28th and 29th (this includes online purchases).

Online orders are processed within one business day of the order being placed on the bookstore website (www.edinborobookstore.com). The orders are shipped USPS Priority Mail and take a maximum of three business days to arrive. Caps & gowns will be sold in the bookstore up to, and including, the day of commencement.  

Instructions for Graduates

Row and seat numbers for the graduates will be provided, via the students @pennwest.edu email a week prior to the commencement ceremony.

Parking

Adequate parking is available in the parking lot directly across from the entrance to the McComb Fieldhouse.

Guests with Disabilities

We are unable to accommodate any advanced reservation of parking or seating for guests with disabilities. University staff will be available to help. Please look for individuals wearing a blue PennWest Edinboro lanyard.

Lodging

Lodging in Edinboro:

Additional lodging and dining options

Photos and Videos

Graduates will be photographed as they receive their diplomas and again as they descend the ramp from the stage. If students, family members or friends wish, they may purchase copies of these photographs from Ultimate Exposures, or www.ultimateexposures.com. Students will be contacted directly by Ultimate Exposures regarding the photos.

Please be aware that members of the PennWest staff will also be taking photographs for general marketing purposes throughout the ceremonies.

PennWest Contact Information

If there are any questions please contact us using one of the methods below.

Office of the Registrar

Email: Graduation@pennwest.edu
Phone: California Campus – 724-938-4435
Phone: Clarion Campus – 814-393-2229
Phone: Edinboro Campus - 814-732-3501

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.