What is commencement?
Commencement is an opportunity for you, your family, friends, and the Willamette community to celebrate your accomplishment. Willamette University holds four commencement ceremonies each May for the College of Liberal Arts, College of Law, School of Education and Atkinson Graduate School of Management (Atkinson also hosts January and September graduations for the MBA for Professionals program). Commencement should not be confused with graduation, a term that refers to the actual fulfillment of degree requirements and credits resulting in a diploma being processed. If you have fulfilled your requirements for graduation, you will receive your diploma during the commencement ceremony. If you have not fulfilled your graduation requirements by commencement weekend, you will receive your diploma by mail.
Parking
No permits are required to park on Willamette’s campus during Commencement Weekend. On Commencement day, staff will be available in each parking lot to help locate a parking space for visitors. A van service will be available to transport people if desired. Handicapped parking is in the visitor parking lot (on the corner of Bellevue and Winter streets). Golf cart service will be available from this lot to the commencement ceremonies. For additional parking questions, please contact the Office of Campus Safety 503-370-6911.
Do I need tickets for commencement?
No tickets are needed for any of the four commencement ceremonies and students are not limited in the number of guests they can bring. However, Willamette does not allow reserved seating prior to one hour before the ceremony.
How do I know if I am eligible for commencement?
Confirm eligibility with your respective school:
- College of Liberal Arts – Marilyn Plenge 503–370–6206
- Atkinson Graduate School of Management – Janet Jobes 503–370–6850
- College of Law – Ann Abbott 503–370–6380
- School of Education – Rita Moore 503–370–6343
What are the schedules for 2008 commencements?
View the schedule for…