Commencement

Important Dates & Deadlines

Graduation Application

  • Graduation applications must be filed with the Graduation Department in the Office of the Registrar by March 17, 2023, for names to appear in the commencement program. The Graduation Form 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 26, 2023 for Spring 2023 and August 11, 2023 for Summer 2023, 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 20, 2023.
    • The cost is $30.00, plus tax, for undergraduates. Orders may be shipped via UPS through April 28, 2023.
    • More information

Instructional Videos

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

Announcements

Commencement Program

  • Students must have their graduation application on file in the Office of the Registrar by March 17, 2023, 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 Relations, 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.