If you are a Global Online student, you are encouraged to select the California campus
in the participation survey due to its proximity to the major transportation hubs
and venue size that allows for more guests and graduates, unless you prefer to participate
at the Clarion campus or Edinboro campus ceremonies, or if your academic program encourages
your participation at a specific campus. Please reach out to your advisor or faculty
to assist , but the location is your choice! Be sure to indicate your preferred ceremony
location on the participation form. All students including on-campus learners and
online graduates participate in one ceremony together on each campus as we are one
institution, there is no designated campus for online students.
The ceremony typically lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. It includes a welcome address,
conferral of degrees, recognition of individual graduates by name, and the presentation
of diploma covers. Doctoral and Master’s candidates will also be hooded during the
ceremony.
No, attendance at commencement is optional and does not affect the awarding of your
degree or diploma.
Participation in a commencement ceremony does not guarantee confirmation of your degree
completion.
The closest large airport to each PennWest campus is Pittsburgh International Airport.
For those traveling to PennWest Edinboro, Erie International Airport is a smaller
option nearby.
Graduates will receive a diploma cover during the Commencement ceremony, which contains
information regarding their official diploma. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates
approximately one month after completion of degree requirements and degrees are conferred.
Participation in a commencement ceremony does not guarantee confirmation of your degree
completion.
There is considerable amount of walking to the Commencement venues and during the
ceremony. Alternate accessibility arrangements for Commencement activities should
be made to your campus Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
All guests must have a ticket to attend Commencement on each campus (guests 2 years old or younger do not need a ticket). The maximum amount of guest
tickets available to each graduate is based on the size of the graduating class and
the size of the venue on each campus.
Graduates will receive guest ticketing allotment and ordering information from commencementceremony@pennwest.edu sent to their PennWest email. (Guest tickets are no charge and can only be ordered/provided
by the graduate through the electronic ticketing process.)
Are your guests unable to attend? No problem! Your family and friends can livestream the commencement ceremony from
anywhere!
There is considerable amount of walking to the Commencement venues and to the venue
seating. Our Commencement guests are offered parking closer to the venue as it is
available and offered accessibility seating at the ceremony in order of arrival (one
companion per guest in accessibility seating). Guest accommodations cannot be reserved
in advance. University Police will be available to direct guests where to park and
where to drop off those who need assistance.
Student Commencement Ceremony Rehearsals:
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 11 a.m.
Where:Convocation Center Arena
President’s Celebration for California Graduating Students
President’s Celebration for California Graduating Students
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where:Convocation Center Lobby
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
Where:Marwick Boyd Auditorium (MBA)
President’s Celebration for Clarion Graduating Students
When: Friday, December 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
President’s Celebration for Clarion Graduating Students
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where:Suites on Main South Arcade
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
Where:McComb Fieldhouse
President’s Celebration for Edinboro Graduating Students
When:
When:Friday, December 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where:Pogue Student Center Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
Commencement celebrations are formal events for our graduates, staff, faculty, and
honored guests.
Master's and Doctoral candidates must wear an academic robe and must purchase an academic
hood for “hooding” during the ceremony.
Doctoral graduates must purchase an academic robe and an academic hood and cap online,
they are not available at the bookstores.
Each campus Follett Bookstore can answer all your regalia (cap, gown, tassel, hood)
questions, will have approved undergraduate and master’s regalia available on site
and during the Grad Fair (see Grad Fair information below), as well as offers a convenient
online ordering option for purchasing/delivery to your residence or campus Bookstore.
Regalia Online Ordering Deadline: November 15, 2026
Representatives from across university departments and regalia consultants will be
in attendance to aid with your academic graduation and Commencement ceremony questions,
as well as games, refreshments, and prizes!
When:October 13, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Natali Student Center Bookstore
When: October 14, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Gemmell Student Center Bookstore
When:October 15, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Pogue Student Center Bookstore
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 mortar boards. Students who do not follow these guidelines
will be given a new mortarboard to wear.
PennWest will offer a digital commencement program for ticketed guests. This program
will be available below before the ceremony. QR codes will also be available at the
event for easy access. We encourage guests to download the program in advance for
their convenience. Each graduating student attending the commencement ceremony will
receive a printed program.
PennWest contracts with GradImages® for official graduate photos taken during the ceremony. GradImages will contact graduates
via their PennWest email after the ceremony with proofs for review and purchase information.
Questions about photos? Contact GradImages® directly on their Contact Us page or email.
