Faculty Information
In our third year at the DCU Center , our aim is to build on the many exciting benefits for our students and their families, and add new elements. Below are some basic information points for our 2026 Commencement Ceremonies.
Information for Faculty about the Ceremonies
Date/Time of Ceremonies
Thursday, May 14: Graduate Ceremony @ 5:00 pm, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Processional begins at 4:45 and the ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Friday, May 15: Undergraduate Student Ceremony @ 2:00 pm, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Processional begins at 1:40 and the ceremony will last approximately three hours.
The last day to register to participate is April 20th .
Transportation
Faculty will be provided transportation from campus to the DCU Center, as well as a return after the ceremonies are over.
Faculty board buses to the DCU Center at Rec Center Circle.
Transportation schedule to be posted by April 1, 2026
Faculty will enter the DCU Center via Door 4A (next to Door 2 where graduates enter) and will robe in the Press Room. WPI staff will be easily identifiable and will direct you to that room. Students will process past the faculty on the way to their seats.
Faculty may travel to the DCU Center on their own, yet will be responsible for their own parking costs.
Regalia
Faculty must be in academic regalia for the Earle Bridge crossing and Commencement Ceremonies. If you do not own regalia, you may either purchase or rent.
- For purchasing, please contact Rick Watson rwatson@oakhalli.com and cc bookstore@wpi.edu as soon as possible. March 30 is the last day to to place an order.
- For rentals, visit Oak Hall between January 31 and March 30. After the order deadline in March, a rental may be available from the Bookstore on a first-come first served basis. Orders can be picked up at the Bookstore beginning May 1.
- All rentals are due back to the Bookstore, on or before, May 22.
- For all questions pertaining to regalia, please contact the Bookstore directly.
DCU Entrances
- All faculty will enter the DCU Center via Door A4 (next to Door 2 where graduates enter) and will robe in the Press Room. WPI staff will be easily identifiable and will direct you to that room. Students will process past our faculty on the way to their chairs.
Seating
- Faculty will NOT be seated on-stage. Instead, they will be seated on the Arena floor in the front rows with our Trustees facing the stage.
- Ph.D. sponsors will line-up with their doctoral candidate(s) in the Exhibit Hall and will be seated next to them on the arena floor.