Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

Information for Graduates, Family and Friends

Commencement will be held December 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at Lutz Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC). The Commencement Ceremony will be followed by College or School Recognition events at various locations on campus. Ticket information, schedules, parking and more can be found below:

Friday, December 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., University Commencement (Graduation) Ceremony is for August and December 2024 graduates along with previous graduates returning to walk.

Schedule of Events:

Time of Event School or College Location of Event
11:00 a.m. College of Health Sciences LYCC
11:00 a.m. Godbold College of Business Tucker Student Center
11:00 a.m. School of Divinity Dover Chapel
1:00 p.m. College of Education LYCC
1:00 .m. College of Arts & Sciences Tucker Student Center

For Commencement on December 13th, students should arrive by 8:00 a.m.

So that we might prepare for your presence at the ceremonies, we ask that you confirm your participation in December Commencement by November 15, 2024.

RSVP Today

Tickets are not required.

Directional signs and uniformed officers will be available to guide visitors. There will be a variety of parking options on throughout campus.

Doctoral candidates will be hooded on Friday, and will wear full regalia to the recognition event as well.

You are all encouraged to purchase your attire by October 25, 2024 to ensure that you receive your order in time for the December 13 commencement. Please place your order early!

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1052325/Gardner-Webb-University/

  • The “Graduation Caps & Gowns “icon is for all undergrad & master graduation candidates.
  • The “Fine Quality Regalia” icon is for Doctoral candidates to order their special custom GWU regalia.

If you have questions, you will need to contact Jostens customer service number at 1-800-854-7464 to order graduation gowns.

Undergraduate academic honor recipients will be presented with cords before Friday’s ceremony, and should plan to wear these to the recognition event. Other cords (clubs, organizations, honor societies, etc.) should be provided to recipients prior to the ceremony.

Yes, you should wear your academic regalia to both the Commencement ceremony and the recognition event.

Your diploma will be shipped to your home address directly from Jostens. These should arrive approximately 6-8 weeks after the ceremony

Some restricted items include but are not limited to:

  • Food/Drink – bottled water is acceptable
  • Umbrellas
  • Strollers

If you have already submitted your RSVP, and need to identify a member of your party that may need accommodations, we ask that you complete the form below:

Commencement Accommodations

The University will make accommodations and auxiliary aids available to persons with disabilities attending officially sanctioned University events upon request ten (10) working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] to make a request.

The ceremony will be available on the Gardner-Webb website, livestreamed on Facebook, and on YouTube.

**We will be making updates to the FAQ please continue to check back here in the future*