Wheeling University’s 65th Commencement

Join us for Wheeling University’s 65th Commencement on May 6, 2023.

We are looking forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with you and recognizing your graduation and degree conferral at Wheeling’s Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Commencement is the single most important event at Wheeling University, not only for our students, but for the campus at large. It is a time to celebrate your accomplishments and to revel in the camaraderie of your fellow classmates. It is also a very special time for family and friends, as they look forward to this opportunity to show their pride and celebrate you.

Graduation Application

2023 Graduates must complete an “application to graduate” through the Office of the Registrar, please download the application by clicking here.

Register to Participate in Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass

Baccalaureate Mass will take place May 5 at 5:00 pm. Your family members and guests are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass as well as the President’s Reception that follows. All graduates are required to register for participation in the Commencement and Baccalaureate celebrations. To prepare for these very special events, please take a moment to complete the short questionnaire to indicate your participation and number of guests. Please complete the questionnaire by April 29. The form is available by clicking here.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 29

9:30 a.m. | Research Day – Opening Remarks – Troy Theatre
3:50 p.m. | Research Day – Closing Remarks

Thursday, April 13

5:00 p.m. | Psi Chi Induction Ceremony – Psychology Department – Remarks – CET Recital Hall
5:00 p.m. | Sigma Tau Delta Ceremony – English Department -Remarks – CET Recital Hall

Thursday, April 20

5:00 p.m. | Sigma Beta Delta Induction Ceremony – Business Department – Remarks – Troy Theatre

Thursday, April 27

5:00 p.m. | Nurses Pinning Ceremony – Remarks – Chapel of Mary and Joseph

Thursday, May 4

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  | Cap and Gown (and Ticket!) Distribution – Erickson Center
Graduates pick up your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and name card with line-up number.

3:00 p.m. | Graduation Rehearsal – Alma Grace McDonough Center
Rehearsal is required for all students. Regalia is not required for rehearsals. For those who cannot make the rehearsal, email the Office of Academic Affairs by clicking HERE for details on directions to Commencement, time to report, and other graduation expectations.

6:00 p.m. | Honors Convocation – Troy Theatre

Friday, May 5

11:30 a.m. | Alumni Council Champagne Brunch – Benedum Room
This event heralds the entry of the Class of 2023 into the Alumni Association. There is no charge for graduates to attend, but tickets must be picked up in advance. Students may purchase tickets for additional guests for the event. RSVP here.

5 p.m. | Baccalaureate Service – Alma Grace McDonough Center
Graduating students of all faiths are invited to attend Baccalaureate Mass. Mass is being celebrated by the most Rev. Mark E. Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Graduates must line up at 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Undergraduates should wear regalia robe only; do not bring your caps. Graduate students should wear regalia robe and hood; please do not bring your cap. 

6 p.m. | President’s Reception – Benedum Room
Immediately following Mass, graduates, along with their family, and faculty and staff are invited to be the guests of President Ginny R. Favede and the Wheeling University Administration for the President’s Reception. This is an occasion to enjoy light refreshments and visit with family and friends as well as University personnel.

Saturday, May 6

8:45 – 10:00 am | Graduate Photography Information here: Commencement Photos

10:30 a.m. | Commencement Ceremony – Alma Grace McDonough Center

Commencement FAQs

ATTIRE & REGALIA

Academic attire will be worn for the ceremony.  If you did not pick up your cap and gown at Commencement Kickoff, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at commencement@wheeling.edu or via phone at 304-243-2281.

• If possible, arrive dressed in your regalia.
• Remember to bring cap, gown, hood and any cords and/or other awards.
• Please remember to wear comfortable shoes. 
• Do not bring personal items with you.  Try to bring only what you can carry on you.
• Masks are optional.

ARRIVAL & LINEUP

Undergraduate students should arrive at the Alma Grace McDonough Center by 9:30. You will be placed in seating order and given an index card with your name and a number. Hold onto this card and carry it with you to the stage.  Your name will be read from this card when you cross the stage.

DEPARTURE

Please remain in your seats until the ceremony is over out of respect for all graduating students.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Any graduate with special needs who requires arrangements for attendance or participation in Commencement events should contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 304-243-2281.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

Jostens has a variety of special items to commemorate your college achievements and commencement day memories. To learn more about those items, you can visit their website for details about how to order announcements, rings and more.

PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER

Wheeling University has arranged for a Professional photographer, Design & Image Studios, to take photographs of each graduate the morning of commencement following the diploma presentations on the 2^nd floor of the Alma Grace McDonough Center between 8:45 am – 10:00 am. No appointment is necessary.

Additional information is available here: Design & Image Studios

Additionally, Neal Warren will be taking your photo as you are presented your degree center stage. 

NAME ANNOUNCEMENT

If you were not able to attend rehearsal, please make sure that you have contacted the Office of Academic Affairs at commencement@wheeling.edu or at 304-243-2281 to make sure that they have the correct pronunciation of your name.

LEGACY CORD

 Identified legacy students will receive a special gift from the Office of Alumni Engagement in the form of a legacy cord to wear at Commencement to celebrate your family’s connection and Cardinal Pride. Please fill out this short Legacy Student Recognition form to share with us if you have a legacy connection and how you are related.

TICKETS & SEATING

At this time, there are no restrictions on the number of guests that may attend the Commencement ceremony. Seats are not assigned, and tickets are not required. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony. A layout of the seating for the Commencement ceremony can be found here.

DIPLOMA

Graduates will receive their diploma folders at the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed after the ceremony to Graduates will receive their diploma folders at the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed after the ceremony to the mailing address that we have on file. If we do not have an accurate mailing address, the delivery of your diploma will be delayed. Please verify your mailing address by emailing the Office of Academic Affairs at commencement@wheeling.edu or calling 304-243-2281.

Hotels & Accommodations

For more information on hotels please visit the using the links featured below. When making a reservation, please indicate you are booking for the “Wheeling University Commencement”.

Hampton Inn Wheeling
795 National Rd, Wheeling, WV 26003

SpringHill Suites Wheeling
908 National Rd, Wheeling, WV 26003

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Wheeling at the Highlands
20 Bob Wise Dr, Triadelphia, WV 26059

Fairfield Inn & Suites Wheeling at the Highlands
660 Cabela DrTriadelphia, WV 26059
With Indoor Pool

Hampton Inn & Suites St. Clairsville
67806 Mall Ring Rd, St Clairsville, OH 43950

Note to Graduating Seniors Residing on Campus

All graduating seniors must check out of their residence hall by 2 p.m. on Sunday.

CONTACT US

Email commencement@wheeling.edu if you have any questions about our Commencement ceremonies.

Continue to monitor Wheeling’s webpage as well as your student email account. All communications to eligible participants regarding Commencement 2022 will be sent to student email accounts, so it is important that you continue to check your account through the ceremony date.