JUNE 6-7, 2025
Commencement Weekend in Louisville
Alumni Celebration
Friday, June 6
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Churchill Downs - First Turn Club
700 Central Ave
Louisville, KY 40208
Commencement
Saturday, June 7
Leavitt School of Health & School of Education
Ceremony Check-in: 8:30 am
Ceremony Start: 9:30 am
School of Business & School of Technology
Ceremony Check-in: 12:30 pm
Ceremony Start: 1:30 pm
KFC Yum! Center
1 Arena Plaza
Louisville, KY 40202
Have questions? Ask Cappy!
Text "Hi" to 1-833-460-5923 or scan the QR code below:
RSVP Information
To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in and only have their final course left, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or student 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.
Additional Information
Louisville Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: Closed - Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: Closed - Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
Louisville Details:
Learn More About Commencement Day
Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.
Parking
The KFC Yum! Center offers a multi-level garage parking under the facility operated by the Parking Authority of River City (PARC). However, there are more than 21,000 parking spaces are available within five blocks of the arena. This includes more than 19,000 spaces at parking garages and surface lots and more than 2,200 on-street parking spaces.
Regalia Update
As of 2025, WGU's regalia colors have changed. All gowns will be navy blue with multi-colored green, navy, and silver tassels and navy and silver hoods
Bag Policy
All bags are subject to search upon entering the arena. Backpacks of any kind, including drawstring, fanny packs, computer bags, and camera bags are prohibited. Please plan accordingly to help facilitate a quick and efficient entry process. Please report suspicious bags to a KFC Yum! Center team member.
Bags no larger than 14" x 14" x 6" will be allowed into the arena for events.
Medical and parenting bags are permitted and subject to search.
Keynote Speaker
Jamie Valvano
Inspirational Speaker, Advocate, and Cancer Survivor
Jamie Valvano is an ordinary person that has been transformed by extraordinary circumstances. She witnessed the amazing victory when her beloved father, legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, realized his life-long dream of winning the National Championship in 1983. Years later, however, her family was devastated when Jim was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jamie was in the audience during his famous ESPY speech in 1993 when he stated, “We are establishing The V Foundation for Cancer Research. It may not save my life, it may save my children’s lives, it may save someone you love.”
After graduating from North Carolina State University, Jamie worked for The V Foundation for Cancer Research in its formative years and helped to establish the organization that has now awarded over $330 million to cancer facilities
across the nation. In 2005, at the age of 33, Jamie was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result of ground breaking research, doctors were able to uncover the genetic mutation that she had inherited from her father, and create a course of treatment that would increase her odds of survival. The prophetic words her father spoke took on an entirely different meaning now that she was facing her own battle.
Eighteen years after her diagnosis, Jamie continues to share private and personal insights to a variety of audiences in her role as a public speaker. She uses her voice as a cancer survivor, mother, and writer always pushing others to embrace their personal vision. Individuals cannot help but be inspired by the open, honest, and often heartbreaking lessons.
Leavitt School of Health & School of Education Graduate Speakers
Brittany Kizzee
Proud Houston, Texan, Brittany Kizze, embodies the spirit of “go big or go home.” Fueled by her love for nurturing young minds, Brittany is earning her Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies with a specialization in elementary education.
Despite facing financial hardships and health challenges during her studies, Brittany remained resilient. She skillfully juggled her responsibilities by running a full-time catering business, “Kizzes’s Kitchen,” to support her family while she chased her aspirations.
As a stay-at-home mom to three lively children and a supportive husband, Brittany balances her family life with her entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, she established a nonprofit organization called Girls in God and wrote a journal titled 'Power in Your Weakness,' showcasing her commitment to uplifting others.
Meagan S Wright-Burnett
Meagan S. Wright-Burnett resides in Dayton, Tennessee and is proudly earning a Master of Health Administration with Western Governors University. She pursued this degree to grow as a leader in healthcare and to set an example of perseverance and dedication for her family.
When Meagan began her journey at WGU, she was newly divorced, reentering the workforce after 5.5 years as a stay-at-home mom, and her son had just started kindergarten. Meagan worked full-time during weekend night shifts as a CT and X-ray Technologist at Parkridge Medical Center, dedicating her weekdays to raising her son.
During her time in the program, she battled her mental and physical health, and still advanced in her career and personal life—remarrying and blending a family. She now works weekend day shifts specializing in MRI at Parkridge East Medical Center and remains committed to delivering safe, compassionate, patient-centered care.
Outside of work, Meagan enjoys crocheting, playing video games, and spending time with her sister, husband, two sons, and cat.
School of Technology & School of Business Graduate Speakers
Brandi Ash
Born and raised in Louisa, Kentucky, Brandi Ash struggled with being an adult learner but never gave up. It took her five different colleges over the course of 10 years to finally discover the university that worked for her. After graduating from WGU with her B.S. Business Administration, Brandi immediately started her M.A. Elementary Education to work toward her dream of having a career in an elementary classroom.
Brandi credits WGU with helping her find her path and is deeply motivated by her mother and late-father who didn’t have the opportunity to complete their education. Becoming a first-generation college graduate is a goal she proudly shares with them.
Outside of school and work, Brandi enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years and three children. Much of their family time is spent on different ballfields, where her children are active in multiple sports and her husband coaches. Brandi also enjoys volunteering in her community and relaxing with her favorite TV show, The Office.
Clarence Miller
Clarence Miller, who has earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University, draws on his lived experience in the foster care system to advocate for growth through change. He believes that embracing change through self-motivation can empower even the most disadvantaged to find direction, purpose, and success. With a passion for mentorship and technology, Clarence is focused on blending the two to create opportunities that drive equity and transformation. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky where he leads audio/visual systems strategy and implementation for Churchill Downs Incorporated. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, boating, and giving back to the community.
National Anthem Singers
Nicole Rae Kastning
Nicole Kastning currently resides in Appleton, Wisconsin where she works as an Adaptive Music Teacher at the Syble Hopp School, a school for students with special needs. She chose to attend WGU because it afforded her the opportunity to pursue her M.S. in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology while getting married to her husband, Josh, renovating their house, and working in a career she loves. The ability to take classes on her schedule and pace made finally earning her master's degree possible. She is incredibly grateful to the wonderful course instructors she worked with at WGU to help guide her through her educational journey. With her degree in hand, Nicole intends to pursue a career as an instructional designer. In her free time, she enjoys teaching private lessons, leading worship at her church and performing in the community. Nicole and her husband share their home with their daughter and very spoiled dog.
Bridger Silvester
Bridger Silvester lives with his wife Tara, their dog Reggie, and their newborn daughter in Utah. While attending an in-person local university, Bridger struggled to balance school with his busy life. Discovering WGU’s fully virtual program was a game-changer, allowing him to pursue his degree with flexibility. Drawn to the timeless stability of finance, Bridger chose to earn his Bachelor of Science in Finance to pursue a career path that ensures job security for his family.
Bridger now works at Elite Resource Team, a cutting-edge virtual family office where specialists collaborate across financial, legal, business, and tax strategies to provide seamless client solutions. A Certified Scrum Master, Bridger is also working toward his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. In his free time, he enjoys singing and playing music about Jesus, riding his motorcycle with Tara, and mastering instruments like drums, guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, didgeridoo, and general percussion.
Alumni Celebration in Louisville
Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!
All graduates attending the 2025 WGU Commencement in Louisville are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at Churchill Downs.
This family-friendly, come-and-go event is free to attend, and we encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire.
At the celebration, you can:
- Free professional portraits (graduates only): Elevate your LinkedIn profile with free professional portraits- courtesy of WGU!
- Meet with local employers for career opportunities
- Reconnect with Alumni in your area
- Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
- Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad
- Meet Sage the Night Owl
- Enjoy light appetizers, refreshments, and self-pay bars
- Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist
Come for the networking, stay for the fun.
*Please note: 2025 Louisville graduates are allowed to bring up to six (6) total guests.
Date: June 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Location:
Churchill Downs - First Turn Club
700 Central Ave
Louisville, KY, 40208
Contact Information
WGU Alumni Celebration: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Alumni Celebration accessibility: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Commencement: commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
Free on-site parking in the Yellow Lot
Frequently Asked Questions
- Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
- Regalia FAQs
- WGU Philanthropy Cord FAQs
- Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
- Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Commencement Ceremony FAQs
A commencement guidebook with check-in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.
Due to varying space limitations, Alumni Celebration and Commencement guest count policies are different.
Alumni Celebration: Each graduate is invited to bring up to six guests to the Alumni Celebration they choose to attend. Local alumni that are invited to attend the alumni celebration are invited to bring up to three guests. This measure is designed to accommodate as many graduates as possible while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones.
Commencement: Guests are recommended to bring up to 8 guests to ensure our event doesn’t reach venue capacity; however, please feel free to bring additional guests. Tickets are not required to enter the commencement ceremony*. Graduates do not need to update their initial guest count with the Commencement Office if there are any changes.
*Tickets will be required for the commencement ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arena and in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena.
No, tickets are not required for WGU commencement ceremony. *
*Tickets will be required during the commencement ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arena. and in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena.
The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement participants’ names will be read during the Virtual ceremony.
No. Graduates are called to the stage by schools and not in alphabetical order.
Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and precise schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
You can watch the commencement ceremony on the WGU YouTube channel at any point after the start of the ceremony.
The commencement photos will be available approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/
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.
Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. Graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.
Generally, the commencement ceremony lasts 2 hours.
Yes, it is possible for a commencement ceremony to reach capacity. We suggest that you submit an RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.
Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines student eligibility to attend commencement. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu.
Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must meet eligibility requirements and register for their desired event.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Students must have submitted their Graduation Application for the completion of their degree program OR
- Students must have only their final course remaining, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or demonstration teaching.
- Students who meet the above final course requirements may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in the subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
- Once eligibility has been confirmed the student or graduate MUST submit an RSVP via the commencement website.
If you don’t currently meet either of these requirements, wait to RSVP until one of the requirements is met.
No, the graduation application process is separate from submitting a RSVP to a Commencement Weekend. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption and you have RSVP’d to your desired ceremony you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at Commencement.
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 information on a Grad Pass for the announcer.
After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is automatically sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk inbox. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.
No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day- of (walk-up) will be permitted.
No. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
A Grad Pass is a digital QR code issued to each graduate registered for an in-person ceremony the week of commencement. It contains the information that will be displayed on the screen as your name is read and you cross the stage. To access their Grad Pass at the ceremony, graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.
Your GradPass will be emailed to you on Monday and Wednesday the week of the Commencement Weekend. If you do not receive it, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu with the subject line, “GradPass Not Received”.
We will send commencement updates to the email address you entered on your RSVP form.
Regalia FAQs
WGU works with Balfour as our official regalia vendor (caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, stoles). Please visit the Balfour regalia website for ordering.
Please note: As of 2025, WGU’s regalia colors have changed. All gowns will be navy blue with green tassels and navy and silver hoods.
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.
The following master’s hoods are available for purchase from our regalia vendor.
Education - Blue
Business (all MBAs) - Drab
Technology - Gold
Nursing – Apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management - Salmon
Master of Health Leadership - Sage green
WGU works with Balfour as our official commencement goods vendor. Please visit the Balfour website for ordering.
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear their tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
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 our commencement vendor’s website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.
Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes/stoles to represent their academic achievements, affiliations, or identity 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.
Graduates who are members of The National Society of Leadership and Sucess may wear honor cords indicating this affiliation.
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 the Alumni Celebration or at Commencement during graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or active duty.
Graduates are permitted to decorate their graduation caps. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap 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.
WGU Philanthropy Cord FAQs
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gown at Commencement. The Philanthropy Cord is not only a physical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU, but also more importantly supports a philanthropic legacy that will last for future generations of WGU students.
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.
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.
For in-person commencements, you may choose to have your Philanthropy Cord mailed to you or picked up at Commencement by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in the morning of Commencement.
For virtual commencements, Philanthropy Cords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.
WGU Advancement is the official fundraising arm at WGU 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.
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.
Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
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.
WGU works with an official announcements and commencement goods vendor. Ordering will open at the end of 2024 for all 2025 ceremonies.
Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.
No, please leave your diploma at home. You will receive a complimentary diploma cover at the end of the commencement ceremony.