November 20, 2017

Dear parents, families and loved ones,

December 16 graduation is only weeks away. The below information has been sent to your graduating student's WMU email. You may also find it helpful in your planning for this very special occasion and complete details are available on the commencement website.
 
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Ceremonies  

9 a.m.            Haworth College of Business
                      College of Education and Human Development

12:00 p.m.    College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
                     College of Health and Human Services
                     Extended University Programs

3:00 p.m.       College of Arts and Sciences
                      College of Aviation
                      College of Fine Arts

Graduating students participate with their respective colleges and should report to Shaw Theater 45 minutes before their college commencement time.

Tickets
Students planning to participate in Commencement are required to present a Student Admission ticket to be admitted to the ceremony and participate in the procession.  

All other guests - including family members and children (regardless of age) must have a ticket to enter Miller Auditorium. Students order tickets through their GoWMU account.

Students are eligible to receive up to four (4) guest tickets. The Student Admission Ticket is ordered at the same time as guest tickets, but does not count toward the guest ticket allotment. 
  • Eligible graduates must reserve their tickets no later than Dec. 8.
  • Tickets that are not reserved by Dec. 8 will be donated to the extra ticket pool and will no longer be available.
  • Graduates who do not reserve their tickets by Dec. 8 will have the opportunity to request two tickets beginning Dec.12 through 14. but these tickets are not guaranteed.
  • No ticket requests will be accepted after Dec. 14.
Ticket Distribution and Use

 After completing the ticket reservation process, students receive a confirmation email that includes a link to the tickets. Commencement tickets may be printed and distributed or shared electronically with guests. Each ticket will have a number listed above the barcode (Ticket #1 of 4).

Electronic tickets are generated with a unique identifier that is traceable back to the student who requested them. Because of this feature, they can be printed multiple times.  However, tickets can only be scanned once. Duplicate tickets with the same bar code will be denied entrance after the first ticket has been scanned.

Extra Tickets

Graduates who reserved their tickets before Dec. 8 may request up to two additional tickets from Dec. 12 through 14. Additional tickets will be available while quantities last on a first come, first served basis. 

Regalia

Bachelor and master's regalia may be purchased from the WMU Bookstore shops during regular business hours up to the day of commencement. Regalia can also be ordered in advance and picked up in the WMU Bookstore or mailed to your student's address.

In order to ensure on time delivery for commencement, orders must be received by Dec. 8. Orders can be picked up at the bookstore up to the day of graduation.

Graduation Announcements
Graduation announcements are available through Balfour. Click on the link or call (800) 433-2096.

Suggestions

Commencement weekend is very busy in Kalamazoo. Make your hotel reservations soon and also consider a restaurant that accepts reservations for your celebration.

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Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and safe Thanksgiving weekend.

Shari Glaser
Director, Family Engagement 
 
Western Michigan University
Family Engagement Office 
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008
(269) 387-4820