March 3-4
Commencement Weekend in New Orleans
Alumni Celebration
Friday, March 3
Champions Square
Lasalle St, South Entrance
New Orleans, LA 70112
6:00-9:00 pm CST
Commencement
Saturday, March 4
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Master's Ceremony Check-in Time: 8:30 am
Master's Ceremony Time: 9:30 am
Bachelor's Ceremony Check-in Time: 12:30 pm
Bachelor's Ceremony Time: 1:30 pm
Venue Parking Fee: $20
Venue Parking Information
Watch the livestream here on Saturday, March 4th 2023!
Master's Ceremony
10:30 am EST / 9:30 am CST / 8:30 am MST / 7:30 am PST
Bachelor's Ceremony
2:30 pm EST / 1:30 pm CST / 12:30 pm MST / 11:30 am PST
RSVP Information
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.
New Orleans Commencement Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: CLOSED
- Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: CLOSED
- Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: CLOSED
- Cap & Gown Ordering
Deadline: CLOSED
- Philanthropy Cord
- Spirit Necklace
Parking & Bag Policies
Information coming soon!
Hotel Discounts
Information Coming Soon!
Alumni Celebration in New Orleans
Friday, March 3
Location and Times coming soon!
Keynote Speaker
Information Coming Soon!
Bachelor's Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Information Coming Soon!
Master's Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Information Coming Soon!
National Anthem Singers
Information Coming Soon!
Alumni Celebration in New Orleans
Friday, March 3, 6-9 pm, CST
Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!
All graduates and families who are attending the 2023 WGU Commencement in New Orleans are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at Champions Square and Club XLIV.
This family-friendly event is free to attend and will provide grads and their guests opportunities to connect, enjoy food trucks, take photos, play games, see a live owl, enjoy a brass band, and dance the night away! We encourage graduates and guests to dress in business casual attire. Come for the celebration, stay for the fun:
- Take in some local flare and be entertained by a live brass band from 6-7pm!
- Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad and #WGUSageCoach.
- Meet Sage the Night Owl!
- Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, refer a friend, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
- Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist!
- Enjoy selections from a variety of food trucks and self pay bars.
- Check out the Krewe of Muses Mardi Gras Shoe Wall inside Club XLIV to snap a photo with the specially made WGU shoe!
- Participate in our passport activity for a chance to win a gift code to the WGU Online Store.
Contact Information
WGU Alumni Celebration contact: alumni@wgu.edu
WGU Alumni Celebration ADA and accessibility: alumni@wgu.edu
WGU Commencement questions: commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
It is recommended to park at Champions Square Garage and enter the event through the south side of La Salle street. Parking is generally $20, but could be subject to change depending on other local events or parking needs.
Date: March 3, 2023
Time: 6-9 pm, CT
Location:
Champions Square
Lasalle St, South Entrance
New Orleans, LA 70112
Keynote Speaker
Kevin Carroll
Author and Change Agent
Kevin Carroll is the founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC and the author of three highly successful books: Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, What's Your Red Rubber Ball?!, The Red Rubber Ball at Work and A Kids Book About BELONGING. As an author, speaker, and agent for social change, it is Carroll's "job" to inspire businesses, organizations, and individuals—from CEOs and employees of Fortune 500 companies to schoolchildren to maximize their human potential.
With his consulting endeavors, Kevin has helped turn creative ideas into reality for organizations such as the Starbucks, Nike, Walt Disney Company, NHL, NBA, ESPN, Procter & Gamble, Capital One, and many others.
Raised by his grandparents in Philadelphia, Carroll spent endless hours at the neighborhood playground where he found his calling: a red rubber ball. His subsequent pursuit of play and his "red rubber ball" took him overseas with the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a language interpreter and translator, gaining fluency in Croatian, Czech, Serbian, and German.
After serving in the Air Force for ten years and earning his college degree, Carroll became an athletic trainer at the high school and collegiate levels in Philadelphia.
His expertise in sport performance recognized by the 76ers organization and led to his job as the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1995. While at the 76ers, Nike tapped Carroll to bring his unique experiences to the sneaker giant in 1997. Although no job "officially" existed at the time, Carroll was directed to create a position at the company that would add value to the overall mission of the brand.
Carroll has dedicated his life to advancing sports and play as a vehicle for social change and success. He partners with non-governmental organizations and businesses around and was honored to address the United Nations as part of the UN Year of Sports for Development and Peace in 2005. In 2013, Kevin was named by SUCCESS magazine as one of 19 “SEERS – changing the world!”
Carroll holds a M.S. degree in Health Education from St. Joseph's University, a B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Physical Education from Angelo State University and an Associates Degree in Interpreting and Translating from the Community College of the Air Force.
Bachelor's Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Damir-Abdualla Kadeen Baahir Harrod-DAR'ROH
Damir-Abdualla, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration, Information Technology in 2022. At 22 years old, Damir-Abdualla is an entrepreneur, creative director, and content curator enveloped in the path of design, fashion, media and most importantly faith. Damir-Abdualla is CEO and creator of AHKIDA MI DAR'ROH, a faith based standing for Family Creedence since 2019.
Courtney Moore
Courtney Moore is the Director of Development at Carson Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Gardnerville, Nevada, where she manages fund development activities at the medical center and directs the CVMC Hospital Foundation.
She completed a bachelor’s degree in business management from WGU in 2023 and is currently pursuing an MBA from WGU.
Courtney truly enjoys philanthropy work, especially working with non-profit organizations. She is an active member in her community and serves as a board member of Tahoe Youth & Family Services in Gardnerville, Nevada, and South Lake Tahoe, California, the Co-Founder of Project Prom of Northern Nevada, and a 2021 graduate of Leadership Douglas County through the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.
She has been married to her husband, Richard Moore, for 15 years and they have two children, Travis and Riley. In her free time, she enjoys outdoors activities including hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
Master's Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Bianca Cooper
Bianca Cooper has a deep passion for the healthcare industry and currently serves as the Senior Director of Onboarding & Recruiting at NurseDash.
She is renowned for revamping departments, breaking company records, and creating a culture of inclusiveness.
Recently, Bianca took over a failing Diabetic Retinopathy Screening program for a large organization, where odds of gradeability on a mobile health clinic were suggested to be 50% at best, and she transformed gradeability to 95% across the country, beating nationwide hospital records.
Bianca also wrote a children’s book, The Map My Moms Gave Me, that made Yahoo! News as one of the best children’s books in 2021.
She earned her master’s in management and leadership from WGU in 2023 with plans to pursue her Doctorate of Education from Louisiana State University.
Lyndie Eubanks
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Lyndie Eubanks grew up with three older brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister, where she learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and determination.
Like many WGU students, Lyndie experienced the ups and downs of life during her educational journey and would need to draw on those early experiences. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree from The University of Memphis, her husband passed away, leaving her as the sole provider for their son. Balancing work, family, with her studies, Lyndie persevered and completed her degree. Years later she would earn her MBA from WGU, which she credits helped strengthen her career in an ever-changing work landscape.
Lyndie is a Change Management Consultant with International Paper where she has spent the past decade leading projects within business and HR sectors. She is active on various boards and remains busy inspiring and lifting others.
Of all of her accomplishments, she remains most proud of instilling the value of hard work and education to her son, who is completing a bachelor’s degree in commercial aviation while he serves in the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Lyndie enjoys reading, teaching herself piano, completing various crafts, volunteering for her church, spending time with her friends and family, and going to the beach. She resides in Collierville, Tennessee, with her husband Jeff, and her son, Connor, and their 4 year-old boxer, Dexter.
National Anthem Singers
Javier Perez
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Javier Perez credits his mom, an immigrant and single parent, as the “most awesome example of hard work and dedication.”
His mom who migrated from Mexico, raised Javier and his sister while fully supporting herself and providing for her family with the hope that her children would enjoy a better life than she had.
Javier has been employed in the medical field for the past 29 years. He recently completed WGU's BSN program and is a proud member of WGU’s National Society of Leadership and Success chapter. He recently joined the world-renowned M D Anderson Hospital as an RN with a determination to impact – and save – countless lives of those battling cancer.
Amber Swanigan
Teacher, fitness instructor, wife, and mom, are many titles to describe Amber Swanigan. Amber is no stranger to the spotlight as she used to moonlight as a singer and actor in her free time.
Amber has sung the National Anthem for various events, including college sports, major league baseball, and WNBA basketball games. Currently she is busy being a mom to her two young daughters and is very active in the fitness industry and in her church. Amber recently completed her master’s in curriculum and instruction at WGU and is excited for the opportunities in her future.
Distinguish Yourself
Ready to take another step toward your next goal, or thinking about the dreams shared by your friends, family, and co-workers who have supported you along your journey? We invite you to take this next step (and share it with them so they might consider it, too).
Returning graduates and new students who want to further their education are eligible to apply to WGU and to apply for the $5,000 Distinguished Alumni Scholarship. Successful applicants must exemplify high academics, proven leadership qualities, and a drive to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ceremony FAQs
Ceremony Participation & RSVP FAQs
Regalia FAQs
Philanthropy Cords FAQs
Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
Graduation Application & Diploma FAQs