Commencement Information


The commencement and graduation ceremony at 麻豆原创 celebrates the hard work and achievements of each graduating class. The ceremony includes distinguished guests and speakers sharing words of wisdom and encouragement to inspired graduates as they embark on their next chapter. NCWU Graduates walk across the stage, receiving their diplomas amid cheers and applause from family, friends, faculty, and staff. The event marks a significant milestone in the lives of the graduates, symbolizing their academic accomplishments and the beginning of new opportunities and adventures ahead. We congratulate each graduate and we thank you for the effort you put forth during your time at Wesleyan!

Below are checklist items that each graduate needs to know before, during and after the ceremony.

Graduation Applications and Surveys

All graduation applications and surveys can be found on

Steps to apply:

  1. Login in with NCWU credentials, if needed
  2. Select Students from top menu
  3. Select Forms in side menu
  4. Click Graduation Application
  5. Fill out needed, not populated, information
  6. Within minutes, the advisor should receive your application for graduation
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General Graduation Information

Graduation Application Deadlines

Submit your completed graduation application by the dates listed below:

Graduation Application Deadlines:

August graduation: June 15th each year
December graduation: September 15th each year
May graduation: September 15th each year

NOTE: Students applying for May graduation after January 15th may not be guaranteed permission to participate in commencement. Stay ahead of the deadlines so you can cross the finish line on time!

Dates subject to change

Graduation application can be found on

Graduation Requirements

Students should submit a听completed graduation application to the Office of the Registrar to initiate the graduation process via . Once听the application听is received, your record will be audited.

Requirements for Students to be allowed to march in the Commencement Ceremony:

  • Only if he or she has completed all requirements for the degree and has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher and a GPA in the major of 2.0 or higher at the time of Commencement.
  • Students may march at Commencement only once for any degree earned
  • Students who are approved for graduation but do not graduate or are marching as a 鈥減articipant鈥 must submit a new application for the next graduation date.
  • A student marching in Commencement as a 鈥減articipant鈥 or who cannot graduate in a semester for which the application for graduation was approved will not be charged an additional graduation fee when submitting another graduation application.

Graduation Fees

Graduation Fee for 2025-26: $125

  • Graduation fees are payable at the time of application for graduation
  • The graduation fee covers:
    • The cost of the diploma and diploma cover
    • Administrative fees and expenses related to the commencement ceremony
  • Students are required to pay the graduation fee only once
  • All fees are nonrefundable
  • There will be a $25 late fee for submitting your graduation application past the annual published deadline

The fee will be posted to the student鈥檚 account. Financial aid can be used toward the fee if funds are available. Any questions regarding the graduation must be directed to the Business Office atbusinessoffice@ncwu.edu.

If you told our office you did not want to participate in the commencement ceremony and you changed your mind, please email registrar@ncwu.edu immediately.

To be eligible for commencement, a student must have completed all of their academic requirements. A student should apply for graduation for a given semester only if he or she is enrolled in all courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, including GPA requirements, by the end of the academic semester in which they are applying for graduation.听 A graduation application will not be approved for any student for which a degree audit demonstrates that he or she will be unable to complete the necessary credit hours and requirements prior to the graduation date.

Graduation Announcements and Class Rings

Ring Event

The Ring Event will be on Monday, March 9th from 10:00-5:00 in Rocky Mount at the University Bookstore. There you will have a chance to order you class ring, graduation announcements, cap, gown, and tassel as well as purchase a stole and your diploma frame. For more information regarding class rings and/or announcement orders, please visit Balfour online at

Degree Audits & Instructions

It is solely and only the student’s responsibility to meet the requirements for graduation. All forms of advising are for informational purposes only. Students may view their unofficial advising worksheet (degree audit) through their 听account.

Instructions:

  1. Log in to account
  2. Click on the student tab
  3. Click on Degree Information
  4. Click on Degree

Your advising worksheet is an unofficial check of the requirements you have completed and the requirements you have remaining. While unofficial, it should accurately reflect your progress in meeting your graduation requirements. If you believe there is an error, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of the Registrar. If you do not understand how to read your audit, please contact your academic advisor.

Graduation Holds & Loan Repayment Information

How to Clear Common Graduation Holds

The following are common 鈥淗olds鈥 placed on a student. All true holds must be cleared in order for you to receive your diploma.

SL: Contact Student Affairs 252.985.5178
AR: Contact the Business Office 252.985.5104
LB: Contact the Library 252.985.5350
RG: Contact the Registrar鈥檚 Office 252.985.5130
FA: Contact the Financial Aid Office 252.985.5290

Perkins Loan

Students receiving Perkins Loan disbursements must complete a Loan Repayment Schedule and Loan Interview.听 ECSI will mail this information to the address we have in our system.听 It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to ensure your address is correct.听 You may update your address, make payments and view your account to .

Once you have completed the Loan Repayment Schedule and Loan Interview, return the forms to:

麻豆原创
Attn: Business Office
3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Stafford Loan Exit Counseling

Students听must complete Exit Counseling.听听All students who received either the Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan or Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program must complete the Exit Loan Counseling online at听.听 You will need your FAFSA Log-in information to access this site. If additional help is needed, you will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid. Federal Regulations require 麻豆原创鈥檚 Financial Aid Office to provide Exit Loan Counseling to all Federal Student Loan borrowers who are no longer enrolled half-time (6hrs), are scheduled to graduate, who have withdrawn or do not return to school, or even if you plan to attend another university, so they will better understand their rights and responsibilities.听 The Exit Counseling provides important information about your student loans.听 Upon completion of the exit counseling, confirmation will be sent to 麻豆原创 and the Department of Education. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 252.985.5290 or by email at financialaid@ncwu.edu.

Diplomas

Degrees are conferred at the end of each term; Summer, Fall and Spring. It is important to apply for graduation the term before you are going to meet your academic requirements. All financial obligations and holds must be cleared in order for students to receive their diploma and transcripts. While the University confers three times a year, there is only one graduation ceremony per year held at the end of the spring semester.

  • All participating graduates will receive their diploma cover at commencement, and their diplomas will be mailed.

Duplicate Diploma

Cost: $35
Students may request a duplicate diploma. The request takes about 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery.

Mail a completed duplicate diploma requestto 麻豆原创, Registrar’s Office, 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

The Ceremony

SPECIAL NOTE:While graduation is a joyous occasion and a time for well-deserved celebration, please remember that听Commencement is a formal University proceeding. We ask that all graduates and guests maintain the order and solemnity appropriate for such a milestone. Observing these standards of decorum is a mark of mutual respect for your fellow graduates, their families, and the significance of the day. We thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a memorable and dignified ceremony for all.

Commencement Ceremony Instructions & Checklist

THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST SHOULD BE CAREFULLY READ AND RETAINED FOR GUIDANCE AND CONTINUED REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE GRADUATION PROCESS.

Time and Place

The next Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Rocky Mount Event Center. (address: 285 NE Main Street, Rocky Mount) Graduates must arrive听by 8:30 a.m. to check in (see check-in below for details).

The doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for all guests. All guests must be seated by 9:40 a.m. before the procession of the graduates. If your guests are NOT SEATED by 9:40; they will have to wait in an holding area or outside of the building until after the procession of graduates, as well as the presenting of colors. Commencement lasts approximately 3 hours.

Tickets

Tickets will be required for this event.

  • Please note that stolen, lost or misplaced tickets will not be replaced. It is imperative that tickets are kept in a secure location.
  • Each person who enters the Rocky Mount Event Center MUST have a ticket, including ALL infants and children.
  • Each graduate will receive 8 tickets (general admission seating).
  • Any ticketed guest needing handicapped seating will be allowed one ticketed guest to sit with them in the designated handicapped seating area.
  • When you pick up your tickets, you will need to provide ID, as well as sign for them.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket

Commencement Ticket Distribution Notice

Graduation tickets will be available for in-person pickup during the following periods:

  • Dates:听Monday, April 13 鈥 Friday, April 17 and Monday, April 20 鈥 Friday, April 24
  • Hours:听8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Location:听麻豆原创-Rocky Mount Campus
    • Building:听Braswell Administration Building
    • Office:听BRA 138

Important Guidelines:

  • Identification:听A valid ID is required to claim your tickets.
  • Distribution Policy:
    • Please note that the University no longer mails tickets to graduates.
    • If you can鈥檛 pick up your tickets by Friday, April 24th, we will add them to your graduation packet for you to pick up the morning of Commencement and give them to your family member(s).

Parking

All graduates will park in 鈥淟ot A鈥 or 鈥淟ot B鈥 at the rear entrance of the Event Center. (A detailed map with directions will be sent out to the graduates closer to the commencement date). There will be additional parking around the facility for your friends and family. Please note that graduates MUST arrive by 8:30 to park in either of these lots.

Guests needing assistance may be dropped off at the front of the event center to avoid walking a long distance

Check-In

When you arrive for check-in, you will pick up your graduation packet and keep it with you during the entire time of Commencement. Your packet will include the following:

  • Diploma Cover
  • Tickets if you have not picked them up by Friday, April 24th
  • Alumni Coin
  • Honor Cord (if applicable) If you have an honor cord, please remove it from your packet and put it on.
  • Picture Information
  • Documents (Transcript Information, etc.)

Bag Policy

All guests are subject to bag searches and various levels of screening subject to management discretion. All bags must meet size requirements. To reduce staff contact with guests鈥 belongings, we have implemented the following bag policy:

  • Clutch or wristlet bags smaller than 4.5″ x 6.5″ are permitted; these are not required to be opened for inspection.
  • Clear bags no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 10″ that can be visibly inspected are allowed without further inspection. Bags larger than 12″ x 12″ x 10″ are not allowed, this includes backpacks, camera bags and oversized purses.
  • Parenting bags and medical bags are permitted and required to pass through a walk-through metal detector prior to entry.
  • Guests can expect longer wait times due to bag inspection lines.

approved bags image

Prohibited Items

These items are not allowed in the Rocky Mount Event Center during Commencement:

  • No outside food or beverage
  • No bags that do not meet our bag policy (above)
  • No balloons
  • No weapons of any kind, including wallet chains or chemical sprays
  • No alcohol/drugs
  • No baby strollers
  • No confetti poppers
  • No air horns
  • No smoking/vaping
  • No flash cameras

All policies are subject to change at the discretion of NCWU or the Rocky Mount Event Center management.

 

Commencement Rehearsal

There is no Commencement rehearsal.

 

Academic Regalia

Graduates may purchase their required regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) through the听NCWU Bookstore .
Ordering and Pickup Options:

  • Shipping:听Orders may be shipped directly to your residence.
  • In-Store Pickup:听For your convenience, you may order and collect your regalia at any time at the University Bookstore during normal business hours.
  • Inquiries:听Please direct any questions regarding your order to听bookstore@ncwu.edu .

Commencement Dress Code:

  • Standard Attire:听Business or “Sunday best” attire is recommended to be worn underneath your gown.
  • Approved Adornments:听Only honor cords, stoles, or insignias earned during your tenure at听麻豆原创 from听officially affiliated NCWU organizations听are permitted.
  • Cap Protocol:听The cap is an essential component of your academic regalia and must remain on throughout the entire conferring of degrees.
  • Cap Decoration:听You are welcome to decorate your cap, provided the design does not interfere with your ability to wear it properly during the ceremony.

Assembly of Degree Candidates

Degree candidates (graduates) should report to the Rocky Mount Event Center by 8:30 听a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026.听The doors for the graduates will open at 8:00. The graduates will enter the Rocky Mount Event Center at the rear side of the building, while families will enter through the main front doors. There will be clearly marked signs for you to follow. Please note that only graduates will be allowed to enter at this entrance. The Registrar will instruct degree candidates on how to proceed during the ceremony.

Graduates will not be allowed to leave this area once they arrive; therefore, please make sure you have your cap, gown and tassel. We are not responsible for items left unattended in the graduate room once you process out of this location.

Diplomas

Everyone who crosses the stage will receive a diploma cover upon exiting the stage. Your actual diploma will be mailed to you. All financial obligations to the University must be cleared in order to receive your diploma. If not, your diploma will be mailed to you once your financial obligations are satisfied.

Webcasting

The University will be webcasting the ceremony.听The link to the webcast will be available on the front page of the University website: on the day of Commencement.听Webcasting will begin at 9:45 a.m. prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

Photography

Pictures will be taken by NCWU and will be posted for you to download free of charge. (detailed information will be in the packet that you will receive the morning of Commencement)

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information or questions pertinent to Commencement, you can contact the following offices:

Student Accounts: 252-985-5104

Provost鈥檚 Office: 252-985-5136

University Bookstore: 252-985-5175

Registrar鈥檚 Office: 252-985-5130

Diploma Inquiries: 252-985-5558

ADULT & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Ms. Fabiola Kinney
fkinney@ncwu.edu
910-338-3196

Commencement Contact Information & Questions

For additional information or questions pertinent to Commencement, you can contact the following offices:

Student Accounts: 252-985-5104

Provost鈥檚 Office: 252-985-5136

University Bookstore: 252-985-5175

Registrar鈥檚 Office: 252-985-5130

Diploma Inquiries: 252-985-5286

 

ADULT AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Ms. Fabiola Kinney
fkinney@ncwu.edu
910-338-3196

Exclusive Legacy Commencement Cord

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