Graduating Students
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Both Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Here you will find information regarding the tasks you’ll need to complete throughout the spring. Check your email and this site often to make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines. We will regularly update this page over the course of the Spring Semester.
All graduates are expected to wear WPI Commencement Regalia in order to participate in the ceremony. You can purchase your regalia at the Bookstore. More information is provided below.
Save the Dates
Friday, April 19 – Gradfest, where you'll pick-up your regalia (12:00 - 4:00) and socialize in the Odeum (4:30 - 6:30)
Saturday, April, 27 – Lavender Commencement Ceremony @ 12:00
Wednesday, May 1– Class of 2024 Senior Send-off on the Quad (5:00 - 7:00). This is a special event for the Class of 2024, as many did not experience their high school graduation in the Spring of 2020.
Friday, May 3 through Monday, May 6 – Graduation Week
Tuesday, May 7 at 1:30 P.M.– Earle Bridge Crossing and Convocation
Wednesday, May 8 – ROTC Commissioning Ceremony @ 3:00, Alden Memorial
Thursday, May 9 at 5:00 P.M. – Graduate Commencement Ceremony, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Friday, May 10 at 2:00 P.M. – Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Student Commencement Week Events
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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1 End of D-Term Classes & Class of 2024 Send-Off 5:00 – 7:00 On the Quad Music, Lawn Games, Photos and a Presidential Toast to the Class of 2024 |
2 Graduation Week Activity -- Treehouse Brewery |
3 Graduation Week Activity -- WooSox Game |
4 Graduation Week Activity -- On-Campus Event |
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5 Graduation Week Activity -- Senior Gala |
6 Graduation Week Activity -- On-Campus Event |
7 Earle Bridge Crossing & Convocation 1:30: Line-up from the fountain area in your regalia: Ph.D, MS, BS/BA 2:00: Processional starts for Earle Bridge Crossing 2:30: Processional moves into Harrington for Convocation (formerly Baccalaureate) 4:00: Ice Cream on the Quad |
8 ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 3:00: Alden Memorial Undergrads: Pick-up Honor Cords in the Bookstore 9:00 – 4:00
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9 Graduate Commencement Ceremony 2:00 – 4:00: If reserved seat, travel to DCU from Higgins House Lot 5:00 Graduate Ceremony begins Undergrads: Pick-up Honor Cords in the Bookstore 9:00 – 4:00
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10 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 11:00 – 1:00: If reserved seat, travel to DCU from Higgins House Lot 2:00 Undergraduate Ceremony begins 6:00 – 9:00: Stop by Higgins House to socialize with your Class of 2024 friends and Alumni
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11 Reunion Weekend Activities On Main Campus The Friday & Saturday Schedule is here |
Are you interested in being a Convocation or Commencement Speaker?
We're looking for a few members of the Class of 2024 to address their fellow graduates in a 5-minute speech at their ceremonies at Convocation (May 7) and at Graduate Commencement (May 9), and Undergraduate Commencement (May 10). Learn how to apply and audition below!
Communications to 2024 Candidates
Between Feb. 15- April 22, all Class of 2024 candidates need to complete the following tasks.
- Confirm your attendance at your commencement ceremony.
- Complete your NameCoach pronunciation recording.
- Complete the Heebner Career Development Center Survey.
- Update your future mailing address/e-mail address information.
- Students who missed the March 19th pre-order deadline may purchase their regalia in the Bookstore starting on April 19.
- Identify and reserve commencement tickets for your guests by 11:59 pm April 22. Each candidate participating in the Commencement exercises may receive up to 8 guest tickets. There is no charge for tickets. Depending upon the number of attendees (known after April 23), there may be a lottery for additional tickets.
Information about the Ceremonies
Date/Time of Ceremonies
Thursday, May 9: Graduate Ceremony @ 5:00 pm, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
The ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Friday, May 10: Undergraduate Student Ceremony @ 2:00 pm, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
The ceremony will last approximately three hours.
The Ticketing Process
- Beginning February 15, 2024, students may access their HUB account to complete their specific tasks. While there is no charge for tickets, all guests must have a ticket to enter the arena.
- Each student may request up to 8 tickets. After April 22, if additional tickets are available, a ticket lottery may be possible.
- The Ticketing process and all HUB tasks must be completed by 11:59 pm, Monday, April 22, 2024.
- On the day of your ceremony (May 9 or May 10), each ticket will be activated and a individualized QR code will appear for the ticket. Once scanned, the ticket is voided.
- Students do not need a ticket to participate in the Commencement Ceremony (although all guests must have a ticket to enter the DCU Center)
Transportation to & from the DCU Center
We encourage our students to travel to the DCU Center with their family and friends. For those without transportation, WPI will provide a shuttle bus to and from the Higgins House Lot to the DCU Center. To take the shuttle bus, you must sign-up via your HUB Account. We are currently coordinating this transportation. The deadline for a student to reserve a seat on the shuttle is April 22; after this date, shuttle seats will not be available and students will need to find their own way to the DCU Center.
Students will report to the Higgins House (HH) Lot with their regalia to shuttle to the DCU Center. The shuttle buses are only available for the Class of 2024 students. Guests are expected to travel directly to the DCU Center via their own means.
Student Line-up Process
- Students may only enter the DCU Center through Door 1.
- Students will line-up in the Exhibit Hall, which will feature music and staff to help you line up in the correct order.
- You will check-in and then receive your name reader card.
- You will not have access to the arena (guest seating) during line-up.
- Your guests will not have access to the Exhibit Hall during line-up.
- Students who (might) need seating or mobility accomodations should contact commencement@wpi.edu so we can adjust seating as needed.
Our Traditions
- We are working with a group of Class of 2024 students to plan the Earle Bridge crossing and Convocation, scheduled for Tuesday, May 7.
- On your Commencement day at the DCU Center, after student line-up, the Processional will proceed into the DCU Center, past the 3D-printed Gompei Goat statue, and onto the carpet runner, complete with the WPI Seal.
- While the Processional is occurring, a video from the Class of 2024 Earle Bridge Crossing (recorded on May 7) will be played on the arena monitors.
Receiving your Diploma
- In April, you'll receive an email asking you to confirm your address and phone number, as well as a digital version of your diploma for you to review.
- You will be handed a diploma case when you cross the stage and pose for a photo with the President during the commencement ceremony.
- After the ceremony you will receive your official diploma through the mail.
After the Ceremony
- Students and their family & friends should plan to meet at a pre-determined location inside or outside the DCU Center.
- Many students and family members will choose to go out to dinner or head back to campus to meet friends and/or take photos.
- Students may take the bus from the DCU Center back to campus; The pick-up & drop-off location at DCU will be at the same location. Buses will take students back to campus and will drop off at the Higgins House lot.
Settling Obligations
We highly recommend that all students check their accounts to make sure there are no outstanding financial obligations with any University departments, as these may result in holds being placed on grades and transcripts after graduation.
- Check at the Gordon Library circulation desk to make sure that you are not being held accountable for overdue books or late return fees.
- Check with Campus Police on unpaid parking tickets.
- Check with the Dean of Students Office for any outstanding Hull Loans.
- Check with your department on the return of equipment, keys and materials.
- Bottom line: check your Workday account to make sure you don't have an outstanding balance or hold on your personal WPI account.
2024 Commencement at the DCU Center: Floor Plan
