Congratulations, grads! Prepare to celebrate with Pride.
Commencement is a graduation ceremony honoring the hard work and dedication of our graduating students. It is at commencement that diplomas are conferred to students who have successfully completed all degree requirements at Widener University.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
In order to participate in commencement, all degree candidates must complete their graduation checklist.
1. Complete your online graduation petition.
Once logged into Student Planning, click the Home icon on the top left side of the screen, then Graduation Overview, and select Apply for the program you are intending to complete. If you do not see your correct program, please contact Enrollment Services at 610-499-4161.
2. Fill out the online Marching Order RSVP form after January 31, 2020.
The RSVP form includes helpful information for recording the pronunciation of your name and registering for guest tickets. Register for an account using your @widener.edu email address.
3. Attend a commencement information session (1 hour).
It is important for graduates who want to participate in commencement to attend an information session. An online Zoom session will be available for graduates who cannot attend in person.
Dates - In April: TBA
4. Complete degree requirements.
Contact your adviser or program director to verify completion of degree requirements.
5. Satisfy all financial and library obligations.
Degree candidates who have balances due at the Bursar's Office or books due at the library must satisfy these obligations before they can receive diplomas.
6. Complete the loan exit interview.
All students who borrowed a Federal Perkins and/or Federal Direct Student Loan while enrolled at Widener University must complete an online exit counseling session to review their rights and responsibilities. Information about how to access the online sessions will be sent by e-mail.
7. Obtain cap and gown.
To attend the commencement ceremony, graduates are required to wear the proper academic regalia. Review the "What to Wear" tab below for more details.
8. Notify us if you have special needs.
If you (the candidate for graduation) require accommodations for a disability or special needs, please send an email to commencement@widener.edu noting the events at which you are participating and what your special needs are (e.g., a wheelchair or that you are on crutches). We will then contact you to make arrangements. Please notify us by May 11 so that we have time to accommodate your request.
Candidates can purchase their caps, gowns, and other regalia in person or online from the Widener Bookstore. Phone orders are not accepted. Candidates who are getting standard regalia do not need to be measured in advance. Sample gowns will be available to try on in the Bookstore during select dates.
Bachelor's (cap, gown, tassel): $34.00
Master's (cap, gown, hood, tassel): $60.50
Doctoral (cap, gown, hood, tassel): $84.00
Optional tam for graduate students is $40.00 extra and comes with a gold tassel
In-store purchases accept cash, check, and credit card.
It is highly recommended that you get your cap and gown as early as possible. Purchase dates and deadlines will be announced in the spring semester.
Properly fitting graduation gowns should fall to mid-calf and should be able to completely zip. Do not cut the sleeves of the gowns; they are supposed to be worn as they are. Mortarboards are one size fits all.
Bachelor's and associate's degree candidates wear a blue and gold gown and mortarboard with a tassel. They do not wear hoods as part of their regalia.
Master's degree candidates wear a black gown and mortarboard with tassel and colored hood for their specific field. Do not cut the sleeves of the gowns; they are supposed to be worn as they are.
Academic regalia for doctoral candidates includes a gown, mortarboard/tam, and hood. Doctoral candidates who wish to purchase special, non-standard custom-made tam and gown should place their order with the Bookstore. The deadline to order custom regalia is April 3, 2020, please call 610-490-7012 to set up an appointment.
If you have any questions regarding regalia, please e-mail commencement@widener.edu.
Portrait services are provided by Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch NSS. Information regarding photoshoot dates and times will be available early in the spring semester.
Schedule your appointment: Enter School Code 64 or call 1-800-OUR-YEAR (1-800-687-9327)
Graduation Photos
Widener University has engaged a commercial photography studio, Lifetouch, to take an individual color photograph of each graduate receiving a diploma as they walk across the stage. Graduates do not have to make prior arrangements for this service. Lifetouch will post a proof of the portrait on their website at Lifetouch Special Events within three weeks after commencement. On the Lifetouch home page, under "Find Your Event," enter "graduations" for event type, "Pennsylvania" for state, and "Widener" for school.
There is no obligation to purchase a print. Please tell family and friends about this service and advise them that it will be unnecessary to move from their seats during the ceremony to take pictures. Guests will be permitted to take photographs from their seats, but the use of flash is discouraged.
Video Recording
Widener's University Relations Department will record the commencement ceremony. This professional, full-coverage recording includes processions, platform presentations, awarding of degrees, and speeches. You can leave your video recorder at home and relax; we'll ensure that you don't miss a thing. The entire commencement ceremony will be available on YouTube.
Merchandise Available at Commencement
Widener has arranged to sell beautiful flower arrangements and Class of 2020 t-shirts and sweatshirts at commencement. The proceeds will be used for alumni events such as homecoming and class reunions.
Possible purchases include:
Pre-ordering is not required, but you can ensure you get the t-shirt/sweatshirt size and/or color of flowers you want by pre-ordering at http://www.commencementflowers.com/index.php/widener.
Note: If you are not able to purchase a t-shirt or sweatshirt at graduation, you can order online by sending your order request to Skye West at info@commencementtshirts.com.
Commencement diploma and class picture frames and other Widener memorabilia are available for purchase at the Bookstore on campus. Please note that the Bookstore does not sell announcements. Announcements and class rings can be ordered from Jostens at www.jostens.com.
The Office of Public Relations sends commencement press releases to the hometown newspapers of all graduates unless otherwise notified in writing by the student. If you are a graduating student and do not wish to have a press release sent to your hometown newspapers on your behalf, please send an e-mail to proffc@widener.edu by the close of business on Friday, May 8, 2020. In the e-mail, please type “No Press Release” in the subject line and provide your full name and student identification number in the body of the e-mail.
Each graduating student will receive an individualized copy of the press release via their Widener e-mail account. Please note, your local newspapers are under no obligation to publish press releases, and many large metropolitan newspapers do not publish lists of graduates. In addition, newspapers do not inform the university when they will publish commencement releases, and it may take weeks before your hometown newspapers publish the release. If you have any further questions, please call the Office of Public Relations at 610-499-4246.
The Mann provides free and ample parking.
Guests enter via the main entrance gates. Seats are not assigned and are first-come, first-served.
The Mann offers three seating options for guests:
ADA Accessibility Information
The Mann Center is ADA accessible. See The Mann's website for more information: https://manncenter.org/visit/accessibility
Widener has arranged to sell beautiful flower arrangements and Class of 2020 t-shirts and sweatshirts at commencement. The proceeds will be used for alumni events such as homecoming and class reunions.
Possible purchases include:
Pre-ordering is not required, but you can ensure you get the t-shirt/sweatshirt size and/or color of flowers you want by pre-ordering at http://www.commencementflowers.com/index.php/widener.
The commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on this page. Tune in early to ensure you have a good connection. You can follow along in the program. If the video freezes, refresh your browser to restart.
Whether donating towards the Senior Class Gift, a proud tradition of the senior class giving back to their university and paying forward to future classes, or another special Widener organization or department, Widener University's faculty, staff, and students thank you for your generous donations!
For questions about your cap and gown or diploma and class picture frames, contact the bookstore.
Widener Bookstore
610-490-7012
For questions about the registrar, business office, financial aid, diplomas, or loan exit interview, contact the Enrollment Services Office.
Registrar's Office
Financial Aid Services' Office
610-499-4161
For information about press releases and media coverage of Widener's commencement events, contact Media & Public Relations.
610-499-1154
proffc@widener.edu
For questions about senior days, contact the Office of Student Engagement.
610-499-4411
studentengagement@widener.edu
For information about alumni engagement and resources, legacy graduates, or the senior class gift, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Information for Alumni
610-499-1154
alumnioffice@widener.edu
For other commencement questions, please email commencement@widener.edu.