FAQs

Participation in the Commencement Convocation is optional, but encouraged. All students participating in the Commencement Convocation will receive a diploma cover. The official diploma is mailed after the degree conferral process is completed at the end of each term.

There are no graduation honors for students earning Master's and Doctoral Degrees.

No. The University recommends against the decorating of caps.

No, you do not need to notify anyone if you do/do not plan to attend.

If you attend the ceremony, your name will be announced. If you do not attend, your name will not be announced.

When you arrive at commencement, you will receive a name card. As you cross the stage, hand the card to the name reader so your name can be announced.

There is no pre-approved list of students who are eligible to walk at commencement. Participation in the ceremony does not indicate that a degree has been officially awarded. Degrees are formally conferred after final grades have been submitted and all graduation requirements have been verified.

It will be mailed to the student’s “home” address listed in WINGS.

University Records and Registration mails diplomas within ten weeks of commencement.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have an accurate/appropriate address on file.

Your legal name will be printed on your diploma and in the Commencement program unless a Degree Name is submitted. 

If you wish your name to appear differently, go to the "Personal Information" area of the WINGS Student Center and click on the "Names" link. Click the "Add a New Name" button. Choose the name type of "Degree." Enter the name as you wish it to appear on your diploma. Save. 

Please submit this change by April 1 for Spring Commencement and November 1 for Winter Commencement to have that name reflected in the Commencement program. 

International students and other students intending to work or study in another country must use their legal name (as it appears on the transcript/VISA) to avoid complications with proof of degree.

Yes, you can still get a diploma cover. Details regarding how to request a diploma cover are available here.

No, there is not a practice ceremony. 

UWL staff and student marshals will provide guidance and direction on the day of Commencement.

Business casual or formal dress is suggested. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes to walk in the procession which includes stairs. 

The color of the “hood” is contingent upon the scholarly field of study, following the guidelines by the American Council on Education.

For UWL graduate students, hood colors are as follows:

• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) In Student Affairs Administration and Leadership: light blue
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.): teal
• Education Specialist (Ed.S.): light blue
• Master's of Public Health (M.P.H.): salmon
• Masters of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.): light blue
• All other degrees: gold

The privacy settings/FERPA restrictions you set in WINGS could potentially prevent your name from appearing in the Commencement program. To ensure your name appears, please keep your primary/legal name unchecked. This must be completed before April 1 for May Commencement, and November 1 for December Commencement. 

How to set privacy settings/FERPA Restrictions

Degrees will be reflected on the academic transcript after the record has been reviewed, confirming that all graduation requirements have been satisfied. This process is called degree conferral.

Commencement regalia and apparel resources for students.

As an associate or bachelor degree candidate, you will march into the La Crosse Center Area with your tassel on the right side. After the Chancellor announces your degree conferral, you will switch the tassel to the left side. As a masters and doctoral degree candidate, you will march into the La Crosse Center Area with your tassel on the left side.

The Office of the Registrar.

Tickets are not necessary. A maximum of 6 guests per graduating student is recommended.

Both in the spring (May) and winter (December). The winter commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2026 at the La Crosse Center.

There will be tone ceremony.

11 a.m. | All graduating students including:

• Associate Degree Candidates
• Bachelor's Degree Candidates
• Graduate Degree Candidates

The Commencement ceremony will be held at: 

La Crosse Center
300 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601 

Approximately two hours.

Doors to the La Crosse Center will open 90 minutes prior to the commencement ceremony's start time.

Limited on-street parking is available outside the La Crosse Center. Handicapped parking spaces are located throughout the downtown area. Parking is also available in downtown La Crosse parking ramps. 

City of La Crosse Parking Ramps

A variety of beverages are available for purchase inside the arena. Please note that outside beverages are not permitted. 

Dates and times of future commencement ceremonies will be posted on the commencement website as soon as they are set. If they are not posted there, they have not yet been set.