A requirement to graduate is to apply for graduation. After you apply, make sure you communicate with the Registrar's Office about participation in the ceremony, with the Financial Planning Office to complete exit counseling and with the Business Office to clear any outstanding balances.

We recommend that you visit this page often and join your class social media pages (on Instagram, WUClass2023) to keep up to date with information. Check your email for communication from the registrar as well.

View all undergraduate graduation requirements

Wingate does not have Commencement rehearsal. 

Graduates should arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduates for both ceremonies will line up on Church Street to process. Please review these cards to learn about ceremony logistics.

• Masks are optional for the Commencement ceremony, and each person is encouraged to make the decision that helps them feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Should public health conditions change, Wingate may be required to change to mask-required, but is committed to providing as much advanced communication regarding all details of the event as possible.
• Caps and gowns are required. Stoles and fraternity cords are permitted. Honor cords are distributed shortly before the Commencement lineup. “Sunday” dress is considered appropriate for both men and women. Ladies should wear dresses, skirts or dress trousers. Men should wear trousers and shirts with collars. Black shoes and socks are preferred. Guests should follow the same dress code. See the tab below for information about purchasing your commencement regalia.

Visit the Herff-Jones website to purchase your cap and gown.

• Undergraduates need a bachelor's degree cap and gown.
• Graduate students receiving a MAED, MAT, MBA, MASM, MPAS or MAC degree are required to have a master's gown, hood and cap.
• Graduate students receiving an EdS degree need a doctoral gown, a master's hood and cap.
• Students receiving a Doctor of Education, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Physical Therapy degree are required to have the doctoral gown, hood, tam and tassel set.

The University reserves the right to remove a degree candidate from the commencement ceremony if the candidate is not wearing the approved regalia as shown below. Questions regarding regalia should be emailed to commencement@wingate.edu.

Wingate hopes you will participate in the Commencement ceremony to mark this important achievement and allow us to celebrate your milestone. However, if you choose not to attend, please notify the Office of the Registrar.

Graduates completing a bachelor's degree will receive a complementary diploma cover that can be picked up at the end of the semester in Bulldog Central on the first floor of Stegall. Please bring your student ID to confirm your receipt of your cover. Diploma covers are not being shipped so please pick one up if you want one.

If you already paid for a diploma cover, and have not already received a refund (confirm with your parents first), please keep the cover and bring only the receipt to Wingate Outfitters for a refund or contact s.shank@wingate.edu. Do not come to Bulldog Central to pick up another cover since you already have one. 

You do not need to bring your diploma cover to the Commencement ceremony. A cover will be on the stage for your photo with President Brown.

Lyceum

Lyceum Series is a graduation requirement, and you will not be eligible to walk in commencement, your degree will not be conferred and you will not receive a diploma if you do not complete the lyceum requirement. The Lyceum Series only applies to undergraduate students (excluding those earning a BLS degree). If you have questions about Lyceum requirements, please contact Keyua McElveen.

Click here to check your Lyceum counts.

On-Campus Housing Check-Out

Seniors living on-campus will receive check-out procedures via email in the coming weeks. The deadline to check-out is by 5 p.m. the day of commencement. Seniors living on-campus should contact the Office of Residence Life at (704) 233-8245 if you have questions or concerns.

Honors Calculations

• Cum laude = 3.500 to 3.649 (Doctors o f Pharmacy and Physical Therapy: Cum laude = 3.50 to 3.69)
• Magna cum laude = 3.650 to 3.899 (Doctors o f Pharmacy and Physical Therapy: Magna cum laude = 3.70 to 3.89)
• Summa cum laude = 3.900 to 4.000 (Doctors o f Pharmacy and Physical Therapy: Summa cum laude = 3.90 to 4.00)

Please contact the Office of the Registrar if you have questions on how to calculate your GPA.

The Pi Alpha Honor Society recognizes Physician Assistants who have significant academic achievement and honors, leadership, research, community/professional service and other related activities. The society also encourages a high standard of character and conduct among students and graduates. The students are recognized by a turquoise and grey cord.

Undergraduates

Phone: (704) 233-8009
Email: kbegley@wingate.edu

Graduates

Phone: (704) 233-8006
Email: m.taylor@wingate.edu

Event Details

Phone: (704) 233-8018
Email: s.harris@wingate.edu

Important Numbers

Commencement ceremony photos will be available to purchase after the ceremonies at this link.

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

As you join the ranks of distinguished Wingate alumni, please consider joining also those loyal alumni who support the University each year.  Your gift in any amount to the Annual Fund, transformational student experiences, Bulldog Athletics, or other areas that have been meaningful to you as a student, will help make a difference for the Bulldogs who come after you.

Your gift of $20.23 or more will be recognized with a philanthropy cord to be worn at Commencement.  You may break this up into smaller payments, as long as they total $20.23 or more. Deadline for making your gift in order to receive your cord is May 9, 2023.

You can make your gift online at the link below, using Venmo, Paypal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Philanthropy cords will be available for pick up at Grad Fair, during One Day, One Dog, and at the Advancement Offices (Dickson-Goodwin House, next to the Jesse Helms Center). 

Give Now

• We designate a seating area for special needs access. The designated area utilizes folding chairs, which can be easily moved to make room for a wheelchair, walker or stroller.
• Guests are advised to arrive early.
• Standard handicap parking placards are required to park in handicap spots (see map below). 
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact commencement@wingate.edu.

General Parking

Parking for commencement is available in all campus parking lots. There is no cost to park. Campus safety and other staff will be available to direct guests. Guests are advised to arrive early.

Special Needs Parking

We are especially attentive to our guests who require a little extra help when traveling to Commencement. You or your guest must be attending Commencement and have a standard handicap parking placard to use handicapped parking for Commencement.

Driving Directions

Campus Map

Handicap Parking Lots

Tickets & Seating

• There are no tickets required, seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
• Masks are optional for the Commencement ceremony, and each person is encouraged to make the decision that helps them feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Should public health conditions change, Wingate may be required to change to mask-required, but is committed to providing as much advanced communication regarding all details of the event as possible..
• Guests are advised to arrive early.
• Overflow seating will be in Austin Auditorium with a livestream showing the ceremony.
• Ceremony Program coming soon

Livestream Links

• Links coming soon...

• Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriot (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 15 minutes)

Click here to reserve with a 15% Wingate Discount.
1825 Williams Rd. Monroe, N.C. 28110
(980) 290-2190

• Holiday Inn Express (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 15 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2505 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 774-1770

• Quality Inn & Suites (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2351 W. Roosevelt Blvd. (across from Wal-Mart) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 283-9600

• Best Western Inn & Suites (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2316 Hanover Drive (across from Wal-Mart) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 283-4746

• Hampton Inn (9 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2368 Roland Drive (across from Chick-fil-A) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 220-2200

• Quality Inn & Suites (17 miles from Wingate – approx. 35 minutes)

Click here for the website.
13470 E. Independence Blvd. (Hwy. 74 near Cracker Barrel) Matthews, N.C. 28105
(704)821-9800

• Courtyard by Marriott (18 miles from Wingate - approx. 35 minutes)

Click here for the website.
11425 E. Independence Blvd. (Hwy. 74 near Pizza Hut and I-485) Matthews, N.C. 28105
(704)846-4466

Undergraduates

Phone: (704) 233-8009
Email: kbegley@wingate.edu

Graduates

Phone: (704) 233-8006
Email: m.taylor@wingate.edu

Event Details

Phone: (704) 233-8018
Email: s.harris@wingate.edu

Important Numbers

Commencement ceremony photos will be available to purchase after the ceremonies at this link.