The 2026 Commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on May 16 at the Tony\u2019s Pizza Events Center in downtown Salina.<\/h3>\nAll Spring 2026 graduates are required to RSVP for the event by April 20 to jill.koster@kwu.edu<\/a>. Please note: Graduates do not<\/em> have to reserve tickets for guests and may invite as many as they like. Seating for all guests is first come, first serve and doors open at 8:30 a.m. ![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/926A5588_TC-600x395.jpg\")
<\/h3>\nGraduation Requirements<\/h2>\n
To participate in the Commencement ceremony, eligible graduates must submit a completed graduation application. Each degree candidate is personally responsible for completing all steps (exams, exit interviews, etc.) as required for graduation from Kansas Wesleyan University. Graduation applications are due to the K-Dub Hub by Feb. 1. All outstanding debts to the university must be paid in the Business Office prior to graduation.<\/p>\n
Complete the Graduation Application <\/span><\/a><\/p>\nGrad Finale!<\/h2>\n
Muir Gym
\nApril 8, <\/strong>11 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nMark your calendar! All spring 2026 Graduates are expected to attend the Grad Finale!\u00a0 Your cap and gown and other on-campus resources will all be in one convenient place to assist you as you plan for the special day.<\/p>\n
Class Photo<\/h2>\n
Pioneer Hall, Front Steps
\nMay 15, 10:45 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nThis year\u2019s class photo will be taken on the front steps of Pioneer Hall on Friday, May 15 at 10:45 a.m., immediately before the Baccalaureate Service. Students must arrive by 10:30 as the photo will be taken PROMPTLY at 10:45, no exceptions. Please make plans to attend.<\/p>\n
Baccalaureate Service<\/h2>\n
Sams Chapel
\nMay 15, 11 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nThe processional will be ordered on the front steps of Pioneer Hall immediately after the class photo.<\/p>\n
A streaming link will be available on the main Commencement page, as well as through KWU\u2019s social media channels.<\/p>\n
Graduate and Family Luncheon<\/h2>\n
Mabee Arena
\nMay 15, Noon<\/strong><\/p>\nRSVP for this special graduate and family event is required by April 20 to jill.koster@kwu.edu.<\/a><\/p>\nNursing Pinning Ceremony<\/h2>\n
Sams Chapel<\/strong>
\nMay 15, 6 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Nurses\u2019 Pinning Ceremony will be streamed live online for anyone unable to attend.\u00a0Students receiving their pins should be seated by 5:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
Commencement Processional and Marching Order<\/b><\/h2>\n
All graduates and faculty should enter the south arena doors and must report to the west end (behind the stage curtain) of the Tony\u2019s Pizza Events Center by 9:15 a.m. to form the lines of march for the processional. Doors open at 8:30 am. A marching order will be available during the line-up for Commencement.<\/p>\n
From 8:30-9:30 a.m., there will be a graduate and faculty social at the check-in area where graduates can get photos and connect with faculty prior to the ceremony.<\/strong><\/p>\nCommencement Photos and More<\/h2>\n
To better allow families to enjoy the commencement ceremony and ensure the safety of all guests in the arena, a professional photographer will take the photos of all graduates as they cross the stage. All graduates will be able to download these and other photos from the event free of charge in the days following graduation. Specific instructions will be made available on the main graduation page and KWU social media outlets as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Academic Attire and Honor Cords<\/h2>\n
Caps and gowns were ordered by the K-Dub Hub based on information submitted on the graduation application, and will be distributed to each graduate in the celebration box at the Grad Finale! event. Please try on your cap and gown to ensure a proper fit. Undergraduate candidates with graduation honors (based on residence and cumulative grade point averages after the fall semester) will wear honor cords over their gown. Cords will be awarded at the Commencement Ceremony. Please be sure to bring your cap and with you for the May ceremony!<\/p>\n
Undergraduate candidates should wear their tassels on the RIGHT side until the president of the university confers the degree, at which time the tassel is moved to the left side. The mortarboard on the cap should be parallel to the ground (FLAT), not sitting on the back of the head. Bobby pins will be available in the concourse area at the Tony\u2019s Pizza Events Center. Event staff will be glad to help you position your cap appropriately.<\/p>\n
Your cap MUST be worn during the academic procession, ceremony and recessional. Men should remove caps during prayer, National Anthem, or other specified times as noted by the president.<\/p>\n
MBA candidates will be hooded at Commencement and may not wear their hood until presented with it during the ceremony. Undergraduate candidates may keep their caps and gowns as well as honor cords. Graduate candidates may keep their caps, gowns and hoods.<\/p>\n
Honor Cord Colors<\/h3>\n
Summa Cum Laude (3.90- 4.00 GPA) candidates wear a purple and gold braided honor cord.
\nMagna Cum Laude (3.75- 3.89 GPA) candidates wear a purple honor cord.
\nCum Laude (3.50-3.74 GPA) candidates wear a gold honor cord.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n \n Commencement Ceremony<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Academic Procession<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n \n Assembly for the academic processional will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be two lines of march.<\/p>\n
BE ON TIME. If an emergency causes you to arrive late, DO NOT ENTER THE PROCESSIONAL. Instead, report to an usher who will seat you. Please leave all purses and valuables with family or friends. Please silence your cell phones.<\/p>\n
The faculty marshals will direct each row to proceed to the stage area. Each candidate will hand the name card found on your seat to the graduation assistant. After their names are called, candidates will come forward, pick up a diploma cover from the table near the stage, walk across the stage, greet the president, pause for photos, and then return to their appropriate rows and seats, staying in the same order.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \n Diplomas<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n \n Diploma covers\u00a0will be presented during the Commencement ceremony\u00a0in May. Official diplomas will be mailed in June by the Office of the Registrar to the permanent address on file in the Office of Student Financial Planning.\u00a0Be sure you have updated your permanent address with the Registrar\u2019s Office by April 30.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Conferring of Degrees<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n \n At the direction of the Provost, the candidates rise, face the platform, and remain standing. The Provost presents the class to the President of the university. The President confers the degrees (all at the same time) and the candidates move their tassel from the right to the left side of their cap. The Provost will signal when to be seated.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
<\/h3>\nGraduation Requirements<\/h2>\n
To participate in the Commencement ceremony, eligible graduates must submit a completed graduation application. Each degree candidate is personally responsible for completing all steps (exams, exit interviews, etc.) as required for graduation from Kansas Wesleyan University. Graduation applications are due to the K-Dub Hub by Feb. 1. All outstanding debts to the university must be paid in the Business Office prior to graduation.<\/p>\n
Complete the Graduation Application <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Muir Gym Mark your calendar! All spring 2026 Graduates are expected to attend the Grad Finale!\u00a0 Your cap and gown and other on-campus resources will all be in one convenient place to assist you as you plan for the special day.<\/p>\n Pioneer Hall, Front Steps This year\u2019s class photo will be taken on the front steps of Pioneer Hall on Friday, May 15 at 10:45 a.m., immediately before the Baccalaureate Service. Students must arrive by 10:30 as the photo will be taken PROMPTLY at 10:45, no exceptions. Please make plans to attend.<\/p>\n Sams Chapel The processional will be ordered on the front steps of Pioneer Hall immediately after the class photo.<\/p>\n A streaming link will be available on the main Commencement page, as well as through KWU\u2019s social media channels.<\/p>\n Mabee Arena RSVP for this special graduate and family event is required by April 20 to jill.koster@kwu.edu.<\/a><\/p>\n Sams Chapel<\/strong> The Nurses\u2019 Pinning Ceremony will be streamed live online for anyone unable to attend.\u00a0Students receiving their pins should be seated by 5:45 p.m.<\/p>\n All graduates and faculty should enter the south arena doors and must report to the west end (behind the stage curtain) of the Tony\u2019s Pizza Events Center by 9:15 a.m. to form the lines of march for the processional. Doors open at 8:30 am. A marching order will be available during the line-up for Commencement.<\/p>\n From 8:30-9:30 a.m., there will be a graduate and faculty social at the check-in area where graduates can get photos and connect with faculty prior to the ceremony.<\/strong><\/p>\n To better allow families to enjoy the commencement ceremony and ensure the safety of all guests in the arena, a professional photographer will take the photos of all graduates as they cross the stage. All graduates will be able to download these and other photos from the event free of charge in the days following graduation. Specific instructions will be made available on the main graduation page and KWU social media outlets as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Caps and gowns were ordered by the K-Dub Hub based on information submitted on the graduation application, and will be distributed to each graduate in the celebration box at the Grad Finale! event. Please try on your cap and gown to ensure a proper fit. Undergraduate candidates with graduation honors (based on residence and cumulative grade point averages after the fall semester) will wear honor cords over their gown. Cords will be awarded at the Commencement Ceremony. Please be sure to bring your cap and with you for the May ceremony!<\/p>\n Undergraduate candidates should wear their tassels on the RIGHT side until the president of the university confers the degree, at which time the tassel is moved to the left side. The mortarboard on the cap should be parallel to the ground (FLAT), not sitting on the back of the head. Bobby pins will be available in the concourse area at the Tony\u2019s Pizza Events Center. Event staff will be glad to help you position your cap appropriately.<\/p>\n Your cap MUST be worn during the academic procession, ceremony and recessional. Men should remove caps during prayer, National Anthem, or other specified times as noted by the president.<\/p>\n MBA candidates will be hooded at Commencement and may not wear their hood until presented with it during the ceremony. Undergraduate candidates may keep their caps and gowns as well as honor cords. Graduate candidates may keep their caps, gowns and hoods.<\/p>\n Summa Cum Laude (3.90- 4.00 GPA) candidates wear a purple and gold braided honor cord. \n \n Academic Procession<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n Assembly for the academic processional will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be two lines of march.<\/p>\n BE ON TIME. If an emergency causes you to arrive late, DO NOT ENTER THE PROCESSIONAL. Instead, report to an usher who will seat you. Please leave all purses and valuables with family or friends. Please silence your cell phones.<\/p>\n The faculty marshals will direct each row to proceed to the stage area. Each candidate will hand the name card found on your seat to the graduation assistant. After their names are called, candidates will come forward, pick up a diploma cover from the table near the stage, walk across the stage, greet the president, pause for photos, and then return to their appropriate rows and seats, staying in the same order.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Diplomas<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n Diploma covers\u00a0will be presented during the Commencement ceremony\u00a0in May. Official diplomas will be mailed in June by the Office of the Registrar to the permanent address on file in the Office of Student Financial Planning.\u00a0Be sure you have updated your permanent address with the Registrar\u2019s Office by April 30.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Conferring of Degrees<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n At the direction of the Provost, the candidates rise, face the platform, and remain standing. The Provost presents the class to the President of the university. The President confers the degrees (all at the same time) and the candidates move their tassel from the right to the left side of their cap. The Provost will signal when to be seated.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n Grad Finale!<\/h2>\n
\nApril 8, <\/strong>11 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nClass Photo<\/h2>\n
\nMay 15, 10:45 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nBaccalaureate Service<\/h2>\n
\nMay 15, 11 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nGraduate and Family Luncheon<\/h2>\n
\nMay 15, Noon<\/strong><\/p>\nNursing Pinning Ceremony<\/h2>\n
\nMay 15, 6 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\nCommencement Processional and Marching Order<\/b><\/h2>\n
Commencement Photos and More<\/h2>\n
Academic Attire and Honor Cords<\/h2>\n
Honor Cord Colors<\/h3>\n
\nMagna Cum Laude (3.75- 3.89 GPA) candidates wear a purple honor cord.
\nCum Laude (3.50-3.74 GPA) candidates wear a gold honor cord.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\nCommencement Ceremony<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.kwu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Graduation-non-header-600x338.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"KWU](\"https:\/\/www.kwu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Graduate-and-family-at-Pioneer-horizontal-non-header-1-600x338.jpg\")
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