From Ceremony to Celebration: Parent’s Guide to WWUs Graduation Day
Hooray! Your student did it! They are graduating from Western Washington University! Now your student-soon-to-be-graduate should be equipped with all the information, documentation, gown frustration, photography coordinating, and all the other shenanigans that gets thrown at them at the bitter end — But just in case they are still focused on that final Finals Week, I wanted to share my experience and offer you this guide to Graduation Day at Western Washington University.
First, I am one of six students in my family and in-laws to graduate from Western and we started that parade back in 2014. Most graduated in Spring, but I had the lucky honor of graduating in Summer which was awesome, but things have changed since then!
Big Picture of Graduation Day!
When Is your Student’s Commencement?
According to the Registrar’s Office at this time, “WWU celebrates its graduates with Commencement ceremonies twice per year: at the end of the Spring (June) and Fall (December) quarters. If you are pending for graduation at the end of Spring or Fall quarters, you will attend the Commencement ceremony at the end of the quarter for which you are pending graduation. If you are pending for graduation at the end of Winter (March), you will be eligible to attend the June ceremony. Summer (August) quarter graduates will have the option to participate in either the June ceremony before August graduation or the December ceremony after August graduation.” So, step one is determining which ceremony your student falls into. Your student must also make a commencement reservation if they plan on attending.
Get Your Ceremony Tickets
Ceremonies are held at the Carver Academic Building and your Graduate is allotted up to 5 complimentary ceremony tickets, with the option to apply for additional guest tickets when they confirm their commencement reservation.
Graduation Ceremony Time
Seating:
Guest tickets (including accessibility accommodations) are general admission and seats will be filled on a first come-first seated basis.
Timing:
Doors open one hour prior to each ceremony. Guests must be seated 10 minutes prior to the start time because the entrances close while the graduates walk in. The doors reopen when the procession is done.
After Graduation!!
Hooray! You sat through the long list, clapped, cheered for your graduate and now you’re free! I will say, to WWU’s credit they get through everyone very efficently.
Now comes the fun part… Finding your graduate.
Pro Tip: Pick a spot on campus (Not Red Square) after the ceremony to meet up.
Once you’ve met up with your grad it’s time to take photos!
Most Popular Place to take Photos on Campus
Red Square Fountain
Steps of Old Main
In Front of the Library
PAC Plaza
Stadium Piece, known as: Steps to Nowhere on the Comm Lawn
Best Places to Take Photos on Campus after Graduation
Popular is great because they’re a staple of campus, but some of the best spots we’ve found through photoshoots over the years are below in order of distance from the Red Square Fountain.
Rose Garden
It can be crowded, but tends to be bypassed for the bigger Old Main Lawn Photo spot. It’s tucked just behind Humanities Building and before Old Main.
Under the PAC Plaza
Ever notice the stairs in the brick “tower” in the corner of the Pac Plaza? Going up or down those leads to some beautiful architecture with great lighting.
George Trakas, Bay View Station
Down below the PAC Plaza is a great sculpture that can provide great views and be less crowded than the main plaza.
The Feats of Strength Space outside the Arntzen Hall / The Atrium / The Starbucks Spot
Just cruise around it on Google Streets View and you can see why it’s such a pretty spot. Plus the stairs that overlook the Comm Lawn are right there and a great spot for photos too.
Just beyond the Comm Lawn is the coolest sculpture to explore and get some great photos of your grad. You might have even passed by it after you parked and walked to the Gym after if you parked in the C-Lots.
In Summary - Congrats to the Grad!Now we’ve talked through the walk, photographed the victor — I’d say it’s time to eat and party! Check out my other blog detailing where you can eat after graduations! Plus, if you’re still not sure where to go, check out the Google Maps Street View of WWU’s Campus to give yourself a virtual tour to get it all locked in, starting from the C Parking Lots where you’re most likely to be parking. As always things change so be sure to check out Western Washington University’s website for all things commencement. Now go celebrate!
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