A graduate holds up a diploma holder that reads "Widener University" during a commencement ceremony under the tent.

Widener University Commencement

Full details about the 2026 ceremonies, including how and when to purchase regalia, ceremony timeline, directions and parking, accessibility accomodations, and more, will be available here in mid-January 2026.

Commencement 2026 🎓

Commencement for Chester and Delaware campus graduates will be held under a tent on Memorial Field the week of May 12, 2026. We will host a series of six ceremonies over several days:

  • Tuesday, May 12 at 10 a.m. – School of Business Administration and Center for Continuing Studies  
  • Tuesday, May 12 at 3 p.m. – School of Nursing 
  • Wednesday, May 13 at 10 a.m. – School of Engineering 
  • Wednesday, May 13 at 3 p.m. – College of Health and Human Services  
  • Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m. – College of Arts and Sciences  
  • Thursday, May 14 at 3 p.m. – Delaware Law School 

While ceremonies will take place rain or shine, we have reserved the afternoon of Friday, May 15 as a make-up date in the event dangerous weather forces a change in plans.   

Petition to Graduate by Nov. 1

If you are a Chester or Delaware campus student who anticipates graduating in May 2026, you must petition to graduate online prior to the November 1, 2025 deadline. 

Go to myWidener and navigate to Student Planning > Home > Graduation Overview > Graduation Application > Apply.  If you have any questions about the process, please email gradpetitions@widener.edu. 

Widener Commonwealth Law School hosted a separate ceremony separately in Harrisburg.
Widener reserves the right to modify ceremony and celebration plans as necessary.

Get in Touch

commencement@widener.edu