It’s time to celebrate!
Congratulations, graduates! This is a time to celebrate all your hard work and accomplishments – and we are celebrating along with you! Before the big day, please take a moment and read the important information about procedures and updates for our graduation.
Information For our Graduating Students:
If you have decided not to attend the ceremony, please send an email with your intention not to attend to solutions@ucwv.edu.
Grad Salute
Grad Salute is a process where graduating students confirm that they have completed all necessary steps at the University to prevent any delays in receiving their diploma. Grad Salute has been changed from an in-person event to an email checklist that you will be sent with items to review and complete. You will receive this email on November 1, 2025 to your ucwv.edu email. (There is information about the Grad Salute at the bottom of this page.)
Checking In for the Ceremony
Graduating students must check in at the Auditorium on the 2nd floor of Riggleman Hall. Students will then be lined up and seated by volunteers prior to processing from Riggleman Hall to the Arena for the ceremony.
All students must be checked in and seated in the Auditorium between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
If you are not checked in by this time, you will be removed from the attending list!
NO EXCEPTIONS!
Children will not be permitted to sit on laps or stairs. All children must occupy a seat in the arena. All guests must go through the front entrance of the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center.
For our guests that wish to use our ADA accessible entrance, it is located to the left of the main entrance.
ADA Access and Seating
Signage will be posted to lead guests to this entrance. A person that would like accessibility support will have seating available in the upper portion of the arena at the main doors. This section will be marked for easy access.
If your guests need help with seating, please advise them to speak with one of our volunteers working at the event.
Regalia
Every student must be wearing their regalia (cap and gown) when they check in. The Regalia gown must be zipped prior to processing to the ceremony beginning. The deadline to order Regalia from Jostens is October 26, 2025. See instructions on this page for ordering Regalia.
Students may decorate their graduation caps. Please keep decorations tasteful, neat, and family-friendly.
The Day of the Ceremony
Doors at the Arena in the Wehrle Innovation Center will open at 9:00am for guests. Plenty of on-campus parking will be available for our graduates and their guests.
Graduating students will check in between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at the Auditorium on the 2nd floor of Riggleman Hall. Anyone who is not checked in by 9:00 a.m. will not be able to participate.
Personal Belongings
Please be sure to leave your personal belongings in a safe place. Please leave them with your guest(s), family member, or someone you trust. We cannot house personal items at the ceremony.
Notecards
A notecard will be given to you at check-in. You must hold on to this note card during the processional and the ceremony! You will take it on stage with you for your name to be read.
You will give this card to the provost when you step on stage so they can read your name. Some cards will have your name written phonetically for the provost to say it correctly from the pronunciation provided to him by either you, your advisor, program director, and/or dean. If you want to send in a phonetic spelling of your name for your note card, please send it to provost@ucwv.edu.
Conferring of the Degrees
When the provost announces that they will begin the conferring of degrees, please pay attention, and stand at the appropriate time.
- Students graduating with an Associate in Arts or Associate of Science degree are students who are graduating from a two-year program.
- Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree are students who are graduating from a four-year program.
- If you are unsure about your degree and/or program, please contact solutions@ucwv.edu.
Walking Across the Stage
Make sure you bring your note card with you when the Presentation of the Graduates begins, and you start to process to the stage with the Grand Marshal.
You will walk up the stairs where the stage coordinator is standing, stand on the third step and hand the provost your notecard.
When the provost calls your name, you will then walk across the stage, receive congratulations and your diploma cover from the President.
You will then exit the stage and return to your seat.
Exiting the Arena After Graduation
All students must recess from the arena when the designated Marshal approaches your row. You will exit from the Innovation Center doors leading to the Clay Tower Building or through the back of the gym. Do this quickly after your Marshal has excused your row.
Do not stop for photos, to find your guests, or for any other reason except for an emergency. All foot traffic must exit the arena ASAP!
Commencement Reception
A reception for the graduating class will be held in the Rotunda of Riggleman Hall (2nd floor) immediately after the commencement ceremony.
Photographs
Professional photographers will be at the Rotunda prior to the ceremony beginning to take your photo after you check-in and at the ceremony to take each student’s photos. When the student’s name is called, they will approach the stage and walk across it to a marked space for a photo with the University President. These photos will be available for purchase in the coming weeks on https://mypicturesnow.com/.
Navigating the Main Campus, Parking, and the Charleston Area
Campus, parking maps, directions for moving about campus, and information about the Charleston area are available on our website using this link: https://www.ucwv.edu/campus-visits/.
Virtual Livestream
We will provide a livestream of the ceremony as well as a virtual recognition video of all UC graduates. The livestream will be available on the UC Facebook page, UC YouTube page, or by visiting the UC website on the day of the event. The virtual recognition video will be available indefinitely on the UC YouTube page after the event.
Where can I purchase UC gear?
The University Bookstore will be open on Friday afternoon for special hours of operation and on Saturday after your ceremony. We also offer an online store! Please use this link http://www.ucwv.edu/uc-life/bookstore/.
Who can I contact for additional information?
For any additional questions or inquiries, please send an email to virginiamoore@ucwv.edu or solutions@ucwv.edu.
How to order your regalia:
The deadline to order your cap and gown is October 26, 2025!
If you have already ordered a cap and gown from Jostens for this event, please do not order another set and let me know when you receive your cap and gown.
- To order your cap and gown click: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1118083/University-of-Charleston/
- You will want to set up your own account through Jostens using the Sign In link at the top of the page.
- After you have created your account, click on My School Store at the top of the page.
- Back on the main page, click the Graduation Products button. Then click Graduation Caps & Gowns:
- Choose your student level in the Select your Collection box that populates.
- If you are graduating with:
- An Associate or Bachelor degree, select Student Undergrad 2025
- A Master degree, select Student Masters 2025
- A Doctor of Executive Leadership degree, select student D.E.L. 2025
- A Doctor of Pharmacy will order Doctor of Pharmacy
- On the next page, click on the cap and gown picture.
- Enter your height and weight.
- For Master gown orders, be sure to complete the Major/Curriculum section, too.
- Click Add to Cart.
- Enter your first and last name.
- Click Checkout.
- Enter your Contact Information and Shipping Information.
- Please Note! The address you enter here will be the address your cap and gown will be mailed to when your order is fulfilled. If you are living on campus and wish to have your cap and gown mailed to the main UC campus, please enter your dormitory address on this page.
- Click Continue at the bottom of the screen.
- Review your order for accuracy.
- Click Submit Order on the next screen.
- After clicking Submit Order, your Order Details Screen will appear, and you will receive an email confirmation for your order to the email you entered at the very beginning. Keep this email for your records. If there is an issue with your order, Jostens will be the contact and they will need your Order Number for reference.
Please contact solutions@ucwv.edu if you have any questions about your order.
Grad Salute
This year’s Grad Salute will be virtual – no lines, no waiting, just everything you need to know to wrap up your UC career.
Step 1: Check Your Student Account
If you still have an unpaid balance, keep an eye out for a billing statement. Be sure to settle your account soon so there are no delays in receiving your diploma
Step 2: Update Your Address for 1098-T Tax Forms
Your 1098-T tax form will be mailed in January — and it’s important that it goes to the right place. Take a moment to update your mailing address in the student portal today.
Step 3: Complete the First Destination Survey – NOW OPEN!
The First Destination Survey opens today, and we want to hear from you! Let us know your plans after graduation — whether it’s a job, grad school, military, or still exploring.
Check your UC email for the survey link — it only takes a few minutes!
You’re just steps away from joining a powerful network of UC alumni. Here’s how to get connected:
1️⃣ Stay in Touch
Didn’t attend the in-person Grad Salute? No worries — you can still share your permanent (non-UC) email and contact info here:
2️⃣ Follow the Alumni Community
Stay in the loop with UC updates, alumni events, and stories of fellow Golden Eagles:
3️⃣ Represent with Pride
The UC Alumni Association is your link to exclusive events, connections, and Golden Eagle swag. Don’t miss out:
🎓 Congratulations, Golden Eagle — you’re this close to becoming an official alumnus!
We’re so proud of you. Now go finish strong — and don’t forget, once a Golden Eagle, always a Golden Eagle
Commencement Memories
Commencement Memories
