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

Widener University Commencement

Information provided here is intended to help graduates and their guests prepare for commencement. Browse next steps, the FAQ section, and the ceremony details chart for everything you will need to celebrate this spring!

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. – Dwyer 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.   

Next Steps

Grads — this part's for you! 

 

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

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, petitioned graduates will receive an email to RSVP for commencement via Tassel, the university’s online commencement planning portal. Graduates will also receive directions to create a Tassel login in that email.

Deadline to RSVP in Tassel is Wednesday, March 4 at 5 p.m. EST. Graduates will have the opportunity to change their RSVP until the deadline. At that time, all decisions are final and we will be unable to accept changes or new RSVPs.

See the Tassel FAQ for more information.

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

Get in Touch

commencement@widener.edu