2023 May
Commencement

for Eberly College graduates

Registering for Commencement

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University will hold one commencement ceremony on May 14th, 2023. The ceremony for all graduates will begin at 11:00 AM at the WVU Coliseum.  

No tickets are required for admission and there is no limit on the number of guests a graduate may invite to the ceremony. 

Students and faculty who plan to participant in May Commencement should submit the appropriate registration form by May 6, 2023.  

Registration Form for Bachelor Degree Students

Undegraduate Registration Form 

Registration Form for Doctoral and Master Degree Students

Graduate Registration Form 

Registration Form for Faculty & Staff

Faculty Registration Form   

Who May Participate

In addition to May 2023 graduates of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, students who graduated from the College in August 2022 or December 2022 may participate in this ceremony, as well as prospective August 2023 graduates who obtain permission in advance.

Bachelor degree students who will not complete all of their degree requirements in May 2023 but who wish to participate in the ceremony (one term prior to their actual graduation date) should contact Andrea Bebell, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies (abebell@mail.wvu.edu), to request permission to walk in the ceremony.  (Primarily, only requests from students needing six or less credit hours to graduate by the end of the Summer 2023 Session will be approved.)

In cases where a graduate student wishes to participate in Commencement one term prior to the completion of their degree requirements, the student should contact their department’s graduate coordinator.  If the department approves early participation, the graduate coordinator should contact Jessica Deshler, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies (Jessica.Deshler@mail.wvu.edu), with a request on behalf of the student.

Academic Regalia

A cap and gown is required to participate in commencement and can be purchased online from Herff Jones or in person from the WVU Bookstore.

Tassels worn on the caps of Eberly College graduates are color coded by degree earned, as are hoods worn by Master and Doctoral students.   

• White – BA, BIS, BMDS, MA, MFA, MLS, MPWE, RBA
• Gold – BS, MS
• Citron – BSW, MSW
• Peacock – MPA
• Dark Blue – PHD

Undergraduate students should position tassel on the right side of cap.  Graduate students should carry (not wear) their hood to the ceremony and position tassel on left side of cap.  

Instructions for Participants

All participants (students and faculty) should report to the Basketball Practice Facility adjacent to the Country Roads gate of the Coliseum one hour prior to the ceremony start time to check-in and receive further instructions.  Event staff and University marshals will be on hand to guide graduates through the ceremony.

Family and friends of participants should find a seat in the Coliseum upon arrival and not follow you to the check-in area.  Only graduates and faculty will be permitted to enter the Basketball Practice Facility.

Keep in mind the Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for Commencement. Please share this policy in advance with family members and friends attending the ceremony.

Ceremony Information

Degree candidates will be lined-up for the processional by major, then alphabetically by last name. University marshals will lead the processional of graduates and faculty from the Basketball Practice Facility to the arena of the Coliseum. After the keynote address, marshals will cue degree candidates when it is time to rise from their seats and approach the stage for recognition.  

Degree candidates will hand their Reader Card (distributed during check-in) to the orator and, as their name is announced, walk across the stage to receive a diploma cover and congratulations from President Gee and Dean Dunaway.  Students should return to their seat after exiting the stage. (Doctoral and master degree candidates will be hooded by their adviser near ramp of the stage before walking across the stage.) 

After the last graduate has crossed the stage, President Gee will confer the degrees and instruct bachelor degree candidates to move their tassel to the left side of their cap.  The ceremony will conclude with the singing of Country Roads.

Webcast

For family and friends of graduates unable to attend the ceremony in person, Commencement may be viewed live online at the WVU Webcast

Additional Information

Please visit WVU May Commencement for additional information related to Commencement (i.e. directions and parking maps, Coliseum clear bag policy, photography, commemorative programs, accessible seating for guests).