It's Your Day! 3 May 2008
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We look forward to celebrating the day with you. The tone of the procession and commencement exercise is a mixture of formal ceremony and celebration. The president of the university will preside over this momentous occasion.
There will be one graduation ceremony for the College of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies (CASPS) and the College for Working Adults (CWA) in the newly constructed activity center on the Oskaloosa campus on Saturday, May 3. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. CDT.
There will be a picnic for all graduates at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, followed by a rehearsal at 6:30.
Pre-Commencement
All Intent to Graduate forms must have already been filed in the Registrar's Office by February 1. Any student not filing his or her Intent to Graduate form by the February 1 deadline will not have an official diploma handed to them at the Commencement ceremony. The Intent to Graduate form and graduation processing fee is valid only for the academic year indicated on the form. If not graduating by the date indicated on your form, the Intent to Graduate form and graduation processing fee need to be resubmitted.
Academic Regalia
Wearing academic regalia is both a tradition and requirement for participation in the Baccalaureate and Commencement Ceremony. You may pick up regalia either at the bookstore at the Oskaloosa campus or at the West Des Moines campus (CWA). To order personalized announcements or a class ring, please go to Jostens.com. If you have any questions about regalia, announcements or rings, contact Heidi Parker at 641-673-1031. After the Commencement ceremony, the regalia is yours to keep. 
The Campus Bookstore will be open on graduation weekend for you and your family to buy special William Penn University mementos.
Campus Bookstore Hours:
Mon – Friday* from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
*Friday, May 2 - 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 - 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Graduation Announcements
Graduates may order personalized graduation announcements no later than March 23 by calling 1-800-353-5299. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Standard university announcements are available now in the campus bookstore.
Photographs
Graduates may have a professional photograph made at the moment they receive their diploma. A photo order form may be downloaded here.
Verification of Graduation Requirements
Final verification of graduation requirements for May candidates will be conducted as grade reports are complete. If any unexpected problems arise, we will make every attempt to contact you. Please do not call the registrar's office for grades or graduation status.
Your Account
Your account balance must be paid in full for the university to release your diploma and transcript. Therefore, please make sure your account is paid by April 15, 2008. If you have any questions, contact the Business Services Office at 641-673-1035.
Friday, May 2, 2007 – Graduation Rehearsal and Picnic
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
There will be a picnic for graduates only on the lower level of the Atkins Memorial Union from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., graduates will assemble on the sidewalk in front of Penn Hall and process to the activity center for an abbreviated event rehearsal. Honor cords will be available at the picnic and on the day of commencement at the registrar's office. Honor cords will be given to qualified candidates who have completed all requirements for graduation at the time of the ceremony. Qualifications for honor cords are a minimum 3.5 GPA and completion of degree requirements by graduation. All CASPS graduates are expected to attend rehearsal.
Saturday, May 3, 2008 - Graduation Day
Graduates assemble for the procession – 1:00 p.m.
Graduates will assemble on the sidewalk in front of Penn Hall. In case of rain, graduates will line up in the lower gym. Marshals and staff volunteers will assist in organizing the procession lineup. All graduates must be in procession line-up, with cap and gown on and ready to proceed, by 1:45 p.m. Line-up is alphabetical within college and division for CASPS graduates and by cohort for CWA graduates. By the way, the cap is worn with the tassel on the right.
NO WALK FORM
A graduate who chooses not to participate by walking at Commencement must return the enclosed “no-walk” form by March 5 indicating that he/she is walking in the ceremony or is requesting approval not to walk. The written request should be submitted and approved by the Dean of the respective College.
The Procession – 1:45 p.m.
The graduates will proceed two-abreast behind the convener.
Baccalaureate and Commencement Exercises – 2:00 p.m.
Guest seating for the Commencement ceremony is not reserved. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates will not be issued tickets this year. Seating capacity should allow for each graduate to have up to seven invited guests. In order to ensure a smooth processional, please have your guests in their seats by 1:30 p.m. Should a member of your family be disabled or unable to sit in the bleachers if floor seating is full, notify the Registrar’s Office by April 28, 2008 at 641-673-1082 and we will arrange special seating.
The Blue and Gold Ceremony
Immediately following Commencement, graduates will recess to the front lawn of Penn Hall where the Alumni Association will lead you in the Blue and Gold Ceremony. This is an age-old Penn tradition. In case of rain, the Blue and Gold Ceremony will be held in the lower gym.
Post-Graduation
August Graduates
Upon completion of their remaining requirements, August graduates will receive their diploma and honors cord (qualified candidates) in the mail in September.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and will help make your graduation successful. Working together we can make this event a grand celebration that you and your family will long remember.
Additional note: If graduation guests will need hotel accomodations, it is advisable to book rooms very early, as there will be a high demand for rooms that week/end. In nearby Pella, a tulip festival will be held May 1-2-3; thousands attend this annual event.
Visitor information regarding hotels, restaurants, driving directions, etc. is available at http://statesmen.wmpenn.edu/visitor.php (click on link).