When and where is Commencement?
Commencement will take place on May 9 and May 10 at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139, on the Webster University-Main Campus.

Ceremonies for students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Health, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, School of Communications and School of Education will be held on Friday, May 9.

The ceremony for George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology undergraduate students will be on Friday, May 10.

Ceremonies for George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology graduate students will be on Saturday, May 10.

Check the schedule to determine when your school/college ceremony will occur. 

What time do I need to be there?
Please reference the "Check-in Info" tab for check-in times and locations. Students should generally check in with their schools/colleges at their registration tables in the Community Music School lobby (next door to the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts) approximately 90 minutes before their ceremony begins. 

How long is the ceremony?
School and college ceremonies can take an hour to two, depending on the graduating class size.

What time do guests need to arrive?
Due to limited parking, we ask that you and your guests arrive together 90 minutes or more before the ceremony starts.

Where do I park?                                                                                              

The main garage on Garden Ave. has the most parking spaces and is only a short walk to the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. A campus map, including parking lots, can be found online and in printable form.

On this site's front page, a Google map at the bottom will work with directional GPS services on most mobile devices. We ask that you carpool or use transportation services like Uber and Lyft, as our parking is limited and will be congested. The designated ride-share drop-off and pick-up area is on Garden Ave. in front of the East Academic building.

I or one of my guests have/has a disability requiring accommodations. What provisions are provided? 
For those graduates/guests who require assistance walking, it is strongly recommended that you bring a wheelchair.

Special seating for guests using wheelchairs will be available in various areas of campus. Please note: Due to limited availability, wheelchair seating areas allow one (1) guest in a wheelchair and one (1) additional guest only.  

Graduating students and guests should indicate special accommodation requests for themselves when they register to participate. 

Accessible parking will be available near Grant Gym and the Loretto Hilton Center in Lots J, I, and H on the campus map. Cars must have the proper disabled access license plate or window tag to park in these areas.

Captioning for those with hearing impairments will be provided at all ceremonies. If you have questions about accommodations needed for the Commencement ceremonies, please email specialevents@webster.edu.

Will I receive my diploma at the Commencement ceremony?
Diplomas are mailed out by the Registrar’s Office 10-12 weeks after the May graduation date. If you have moved recently, please ensure the Registrar's Office has your current mailing address. The Registrar's Office information can be found on Webster's main website.

When will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are mailed out by the Registrar’s Office 10-12 weeks after the May graduation date.

I didn’t RSVP for the Commencement ceremony. Can I still attend? 
You should contact the Office of Special Events at specialevents@webster.edu to see if tickets are still available for your ceremony. 

Do graduates need tickets?
Yes, all students and their guests must have a ticket. Due to the limited seating, we must ensure that all guests have a space, and the only way to do this is to ensure that each student and guest has a ticket. PDF tickets can be printed from your confirmation email after you register.

How many guests am I allowed to bring?
Currently, students may register for six (6) guest tickets for all schools except the Walker School of Business & Technology. Because of the size of their graduating classes, students will be limited to 4 guest tickets each. After all graduates have been notified and time has been allotted for them to get more tickets, we may open the system for additional tickets. Those who have already registered on our list of St. Louis area and online graduates will receive an email if/when that occurs. We will also make announcements on webster.edu/commencement.

Do children need tickets?
Yes, all children, unless under the age of 2, must have a ticket. All children under the age of 2 must sit on a ticketed guest's lap.

Do I need to print out my tickets?
If you download the Bizzabo app (link at the bottom of the front page), you can pull up your tickets on your cell phone. You can also print your tickets to show when you arrive. Either way, you must be able to show your ticket.

Can I walk/participate in the graduation ceremony if I still have summer classes to complete?
Please get in touch with your School or College directly to seek approval. In general, requests are not approved if a student has more than six (6) credit hours remaining. Remember, if your request to participate is approved, your name will not appear in the Commencement program. Only those who have completed their programs in the current academic year will be listed.

I am earning two degrees from two different schools/colleges. May I participate in both ceremonies?  
Yes, you are welcome to participate in each of your ceremonies.  Make sure you 'purchase' tickets for both ceremonies.

How do I know if my name is on the list for graduation? 
Suppose you are completing your degree in May and intend to participate in the May Commencement ceremony. In that case, you must submit your Petition to Graduate electronically by February 14, 2025, to ensure your name is listed in the Commencement program booklet. Remember that submitting your Petition to Graduate is NOT the same as submitting your RSVP for the Commencement ceremony.

If you will be participating in the Commencement ceremony, you must also RSVP and 'purchase' tickets (all tickets are free) on this website. This will ensure you are on our attendees list and that your name will be called during your school's ceremony.  

If I bring guests who don't have a ticket, where can they watch my graduation ceremony?
If seats remain open in the auditorium when the ceremony begins, unticketed guests will be allowed in. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

What happens if it rains?
Commencement is "rain or shine" since all ceremonies will be held indoors on the main campus. Participants and guests are advised to be prepared for inclement weather.

Is there an event for students who graduate mid-year?
Summer, December and March graduates can walk in the May Commencement ceremony.

Can my family/friends bring signs, balloons, etc.?
We ask that guests refrain from bringing signs, balloons, confetti/glitter, noisemakers, or anything else that might disrupt the Commencement ceremony. Balloons are not permitted inside the auditorium.

Where is lost and found?
A temporary lost-and-found area will be established at the ticket window in the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts lobby. Any items not claimed by the end of Friday or by noon Saturday will be held at the lost-and-found area in the Public Safety office, located in the parking garage on Garden Ave.

Where can I find the graduate photos taken at Commencement?  
Grad Images will take photos of each graduate and can be found on their website once posted.

Do I have to wear a cap and gown to Commencement?
Yes, a cap and gown must be worn to participate in the Commencement ceremonies. The exception is current or former military personnel, who may elect to wear their dress uniform. Information on purchasing your cap and gown can be found on the website.

Do I need a stole or hood for my regalia?
Stoles are part of the undergraduate regalia. Graduates receive hoods. Graduates may purchase a stole if they would like one, but it would be a separate purchase. When you buy your regalia, the package will automatically adjust to include the correct pieces needed for Commencement, including the proper colors.

How do I know if I qualify for departmental honors?
Your school or college will notify you by email if you qualify. If you have any questions about this, please contact your department chair or deans office.

How do I know if I qualify for University honors?
Undergraduate students: University-wide academic honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded to students who have achieved a high grade point average across the curriculum.

All undergraduate students whose transcripts include the following will be awarded honors: (Please note: In the following, 'graded hours' excludes grades of 'pass' or 'credit'; 'cumulative grade point average' includes all Webster University courses plus any transfer courses being used by the student to attain his/her 120 credit hours.)

-A minimum of 45 graded credit hours at Webster University. A minimum of 90 graded credit hours accumulated in the entire college career.

-A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7

The type of honor awarded will be determined based on the following GPAs:

-Those with a minimum cumulative GPA between 3.70-3.79 will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of cum laude.

-Those with a minimum cumulative GPA between 3.80-3.89 will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of magna cum laude.

-Those with a minimum GPA between 3.90 and higher will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of summa cum laude.

Graduate students: A student who completes a graduate degree (including all required, elective, prerequisite, and transfer courses) while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.950 receives Graduate Academic Honors. Accelerated sequential degrees are excluded from this designation.

I am eligible for University or Departmental honors. What color honor cord do I wear?
The bookstore and representatives of your department can help you with the proper color for your department.

Are honor cords supplied by the department?
Each school and college is different, so you will want to check with them to see if they supply these cords.

What color stole or hood do I need? 
Your degree type determines the color of your stole or hood. When you order your cap and gown, you will automatically be provided with the correct color for your degree.

What color tassel do I need for my degree program?
Your degree type determines the color of your tassel and will match your stole or hood. When you order your cap and gown, you will automatically be provided with the correct color for your degree.

If I am a double major, what color stole, hood and tassel do I need?
If you are a double major, the degree listed first on your Petition to Graduate determines the color of your stole or hood.

If I borrow a gown, can I still purchase the stole, hood, tassel and cap separately?
Yes, each part of the regalia can be purchased separately.

What happens if I forget my graduation cap, gown, tassel, hood, or stole on Commencement day?

We strongly advise that you not let this occur. The Webster University Bookstore will be at Commencement with a limited number of these items for sale. However, the items’ availability cannot be guaranteed.