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WIU Home > Commencement

Important Dates & Deadlines

Graduation Application

• Graduation applications must be filed with the Graduation Department in the Office of the Registrar by March 14, 2025, for names to appear in the commencement program. The Graduation Application is available here.
• Attending commencement does not guarantee graduation. All academic requirements must be complete and all paperwork on file in the Office of the Registrar by May 23, 2025, for Spring 2025, before diplomas are awarded (undergraduates only).

Cap & Gown Orders

The University Bookstore is the sole source provider of officially licensed Western Illinois University graduation regalia. To ensure you receive the correct Western Illinois University commencement wear, please order your caps and gowns from the University Bookstore only.

• Caps, gowns and tassels are available from the University Union beginning March 19, 2025.
• The cost is $38.00, plus tax, for undergraduates. Orders may be shipped via UPS through April 25, 2025.
• More information

Instructional Videos

View videos on properly wearing your cap and gown and graduate/doctoral hoods.

Announcements

• The University Union Bookstore and University Printing & Mailing Center (UPMC) offer two different styles of graduation announcements. See their respective websites for more information.

Commencement Program

• Students must have their graduation application on file in the Office of the Registrar by March 14, 2025, in order for their names to appear in the online program.
• Students who have invoked the Privacy Act will not have their names published in the online program or released to their local media by University Communications and Marketing, unless they sign a release form at the Office of the Registrar.

Hometown Newspaper Notification

University Relations posts graduates' names, academic distinction, degrees and majors online at www.wiu.edu/CountyNews, and sends a listing of graduates to hometown newspapers after degrees have been conferred, approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony.

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