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Part of Western Governors University
Celebration Park
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indiana Farmers Coliseum
1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Master's Check-in Time: 8 am, EDT
Master's Ceremony Time: 9:30 am, EDT
Bachelor's Check-in Time: 12:30 pm, EDT
Bachelor's Ceremony Time: 1:45 pm, EDT
To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in and only have your final course remaining, such as capstone, final certification, or demonstration teaching. If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met.
Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with “Final Course” in subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
For more information, review the Commencement Ceremony Participation Guidelines.
If you have any questions, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu or by phone 385.428.2085.
Attention iOS users (iPhone/iPad): please use Chrome or Firefox browser to submit your ceremony RSVP form. If you use Safari (default iOS browser) to complete your RSVP form, you will receive a false application rejection message. If uncertain, please complete the ceremony RSVP form on a computer rather than your iOS device.
WGU remains committed to the health and safety of our graduates, guests, and employees, and is closely monitoring local conditions with respect to COVID-19.
We are no longer requiring masks to be worn during Commencement Weekend and we may update this policy should local guidelines change. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this fluid situation.
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel
31 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Room rate: $222*
Must book by: August 22, 2022*
Nights rate is valid: September 22nd-24th
Complimentary shuttle within 5mile radius Mon. – Fri.
Parking: Complimentary
Guarantee: One-night room and tax deposit due at the time of reservation.
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for WGU Commencement
Cancellation: Reservations subject to a 72-hour cancellation policy. Deposit is refundable up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Cancellations 72 hours from the time of arrival will forfeit the one night’s room and tax deposit.
When is the commencement in Indianapolis, Indiana?
The WGU Commencement in Indianapolis is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022.
Where and what time do I report for commencement?
A commencement guidebook will be emailed to each graduate with check-in details, parking, map, and much more.
How many guests may I bring to commencement?
Graduates may bring up to 8 guests. Please note, venue seating capacity is subject to change due to the fluid situation of COVID-19 and as mandated by state and CDC guidelines.
Are tickets required for the commencement ceremony?
Depending on the location, tickets may be required. Please check your commencement guidebook for details.
How long does the commencement ceremony last?
Generally, the commencement ceremony lasts 2 hours.
Will my name be announced at the commencement ceremony?
Only the names of graduates who physically attend and participate in the commencement ceremony will have their names read.
Are there deadlines that I should be aware of?
Yes, here are the key deadlines:
Speaker Deadline – Friday, July 29, 2022
Anthem Deadline – Friday, August 5, 2022
Cap & Gown Deadline – Friday, September 2, 2022
RSVP Deadline – Friday, September 2, 2022
Will I or my guests with a small child be able to bring in a stroller to the venue?
Yes, however, due to limited aisle space, strollers are not permitted in seating sections or in the wheelchair cutouts. Space will be designated (via signage) for stroller parking.
Where can I put on my cap and gown for the ceremony?
Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
What is the link to watch the upcoming commencement?
wgu.edu/2022indianapolisweekend
When and where can I find the commencement photos?
The commencement photos are usually available 2-3 weeks after commencement. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/
Are there any discounts?
Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to BenefitHub to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Must I graduate before I can participate in the commencement ceremony?
Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must complete two steps.
To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in your final course, such as capstone, final certification, or demonstration teaching. If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met.
Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
How do I know if I am eligible to attend a commencement ceremony?
Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines the eligibility for commencements.
I'm not sure if I submitted an RSVP for the commencement ceremony, how can I check?
After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk box. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP. Please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.
Can I delay or postpone walking at commencement?
Yes. There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. However, graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.
What is the link to watch the upcoming commencement?
Is there a video of the ceremony for purchase?
No, but you may watch the commencement ceremony for free on the WGU YouTube channel.
Do I need to RSVP for the ceremony if I already submitted a graduation application?
Yes, the ceremony RSVP form is a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates your name card for the announcer.
Can I register the day of commencement?
No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day of (walk-up) will be permitted.
Where do I RSVP for this commencement?
Click on the RSVP button on this page.
I was not able to RSVP for the last commencement, when is the next commencement?
Please visit the upcoming commencement web page.
If I attend a 2022 virtual commencement, am I eligible to attend an in-person commencement?
Graduates may walk in one commencement ceremony per degree. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
Is there another virtual commencement?
Yes. WGU will host a virtual commencement on July 16, 2022, simultaneously with the WGU Commencement in Seattle.
When can I purchase photos from the commencement ceremony?
Photos from each commencement ceremony will be available for purchase through our photography partner The Grad Team in the week following each commencement. All photos can be viewed on their website here.
Everything you need to know about your cap, tassel, gown, and hood.
Which company sells WGU caps, gowns, and hoods?
Oak Hall Cap and Gown is the official regalia vendor (caps, gowns, and hoods) for WGU. The official regalia color for graduates is navy.
What kind of academic regalia do I buy for commencement?
For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order a cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel. For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order a cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.
How do I order my cap and gown for commencement?
Visit the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website to place your order, or call 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department.
Where can I get an additional tassel as a keepsake?
You can order a tassel at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website, or by calling 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department.
Can I wear honor cords?
Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes on their gowns. Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the international honor society of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at http://www.kdp.org.
Which hood do I purchase?
The following hoods are available for purchase at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website:
Education - blue
Business (all MBAs) - drab
Information Technology - gold
Nursing – apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management - salmon
Master of Health Leadership - sage green
On which side does my tassel go?
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear the tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
I already have a cap and gown from my bachelor's degree. May I wear that same regalia for my master's degree?
A graduate should wear academic attire appropriate to the awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a master's gown as an individual item on the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.
If I served in the military, how do I get my honor cords?
WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided with a military honor cord. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up at graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or on active duty.
Can I decorate my cap or wear a sash to commencement?
Graduates are permitted to decorate their caps and wear sashes with their regalia. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap or wearing a sash for commencement:
WGU does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.
What is the WGU Philanthropy Cord?
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gown on commencement day. The philanthropy cord is not only a physical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU, but it also more importantly supports a legacy that will last for future generations of WGU.
How do I receive a WGU Philanthropy Cord?
Graduates can receive a philanthropy cord by making a gift of $25 or more to WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. To donate, graduates can text “WGUCord” to 41-444 or visit this link.
Where does my donation go? Why are you asking for $25?
All WGU Philanthropy Cord donations support WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. We are asking for $25 in honor of WGU’s 25th anniversary!
How do I receive my WGU Philanthropy Cord?
For in-person commencements, philanthropy cords may be picked up by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in before commencement. If the in-person commencement is canceled, philanthropy cords will be mailed to participating graduates following an official cancellation notice.
For virtual commencements, philanthropy cords will be mailed to the graduate prior to the ceremony date.
What is WGU Advancement?
WGU founded WGU Advancement in 2018 as its official fundraising arm dedicated to attracting, allocating, and putting dollars to work so more students have access to an affordable, quality education. WGU Advancement’s operation is the next step in WGU’s ever-growing obsession with students’ success, and a way for the increasing number of WGU graduates, donors, and partners to pay it forward.
I would like to donate to the WGU Fellow Night Owl Scholarship but am not interested in a philanthropy cord.
Thank you for your generous support! You can donate to the Fellow Night Owl Scholarship by texting “WGUGrad” to 41-444 or by visiting this link.
Can students request letters of invitation for family members living abroad to attend commencement?
Yes, students may send an email to records@wgu.edu with the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documents containing information about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student to forward them to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.
How do I order announcements to send to my family and friends for commencement?
Jostens is the current provider for commencement announcements.
How do I apply for graduation?
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
How do I receive my diploma?
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.