Graduation and Commencement
WCU in Philadelphia Commencement Ceremony | 5/9/2026 | Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing
Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9th at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. The undergraduate ceremony will begin at 9:30 AM, and the graduate ceremony will begin at 12 PM. Each ceremony will last approximately one hour. Graduates, please arrive sixty (60) minutes before the start of your ceremony. The procession begins fifteen (15) minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Contact Ben Morgan with questions about Philadelphia commencement.
If you or your supporters would like to book a room at the Hilton Hotel, you may reserve a room at the discounted rate. Check here for reservation details!
Parking
Parking at the hotel will be available for $25. Valet parking is available for $37.
Commencement Tickets
Students must order tickets for commencement. Tickets are free. Graduate students may order 6 tickets. Undergraduates may order 8 tickets.
Order tickets here.
Student Speakers
One undergraduate and one graduate speaker will be selected for commencement. The application window has closed.
Cap and Gown Ordering
Cap and gown ordering is now closed. If you have not ordered, please email Dionne at deaston799@wcupa.edu.
Cap and gowns will be delivered to the Philadelphia campus the week of April 27th. An email will be sent to students with specific days and times for pickup. Seniors, please stay tuned for additional graduation instructions.
Diplomas
Paper diplomas will be mailed to your home address approximately 6-8 weeks after final grades post, after the Registrar's Office has verified the completion of all degree requirements.
If there are any outstanding issues that will prevent you from graduating, the Registrar's Office will notify you by mail and email. Visit the Registrar's page on Diplomas.
Honor Cords (Undergraduates Only) and Other Special Regalia
Honors cords will be available free of charge for all qualifying undergraduate students. Honor cords are available for all undergraduate students earning graduation honors (3.25 GPA or higher, based on cumulative GPA from next-to-last semester before a student graduates).
Honor cords will be available for pickup at the Philadelphia location beginning Monday, March 26th. Additionally, cords will be available at commencement for those who do not pick up the cords prior to the ceremony.
In addition to honors cords, a number of University colleges, academic programs, honor societies, organizations, and clubs award special cords, stoles, pendants, and tassels to recognize their graduates. Please note that these regalia are not designed or distributed by the University, but by the organizations that sponsor them.
34th Annual Spring 2026 Kente Graduation Celebration in West Chester
Thursday, May 7th, 2026 | Celebration Time: 6 PM-7:30 PM | Hollinger Fieldhouse |
Doors Open at 5 PM and close at 6:30 PM
Philadelphia campus students are invited to attend the Kente Commencement Celebration in West Chester.
The Dowdy Multicultural Center is excited to have students register for the Spring 2026 Kente Graduation Celebration! Created in the fall of 1992, the Kente Graduation ceremony is a true West Chester University tradition in which participants are publicly recognized and presented with a special stole as a symbol of their achievement.
Those who wish to participate in this event will need to complete the registration form below by Saturday, April 11th, 2026, at 11:55 pm EST!!!
***Confirmation of your registration will be sent to you within 3-5 business days.***
REGISTRATION LINK AND DEADLINE
Only those approved for Spring 2026 commencement are eligible to participate in the Spring 2026 Kente Celebration. The status of each registrant will be confirmed with the registrar.
Registration Deadline: April 11th, 2026
REGISTER HERE
See more information at the Kente page.