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Undergraduate Commencement

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Student Information for Undergraduate Degree Conferral & Commencement

Graduation Applications

All students completing their coursework this academic year must apply for graduation (degree conferral), regardless of whether they plan to walk in the spring commencement ceremony. The application for undergraduate candidates will open in late September and close in November. Failure to apply for graduation by the deadline may lead to administrative fees, exclusion from commencement participation, or a delay in degree conferral.

In order to be eligible to apply for graduation and therefore participate in the commencement ceremony, a student’s coursework at Whitworth must be completed before the start of the next academic year. For the 2025 commencement ceremony, a student's coursework must be completed before Sept. 1, 2025. Students who are unable to complete their coursework before this deadline will have their graduation applications canceled and will not be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

Click Here to Apply for Graduation. 

Questions regarding graduation applications, degree completion and degree conferral may be directed to registrar@whitworth.edu.

Regalia

Students participating in the commencement ceremony must wear Whitworth-branded caps, gowns and tassels supplied by Herff Jones. Student who indicate on their graduation applications they will participate in the commencement ceremony and are approved to walk will receive a link to order their regalia. All regalia is rental regalia and will be delivered in May 2025.

All rental gowns must be returned following the commencement ceremony; students will keep their caps and tassels. Students who do not return their rental gown by the designated date will be charged a $300 fee.

If a student has earned Latin honors, they will receive a cord from the university reflecting the corresponding honors. The only cords students are permitted to wear are those cords issued by Whitworth University representing Latin honors. No other cords should be worn at the commencement ceremony.

Questions regarding regalia may be directed to commencement@whitworth.edu. 

Additional Commencement Ticket Lottery

Each participating graduate will receive six guest tickets for the commencement ceremony. At this time there are no additional tickets available. 

If additional tickets become available, a ticket lottery will be held in spring 2025 to distribute them.

Latin Honors

Latin honors are awarded as follows:

  • 3.90 and above: summa cum laude (with highest honors)
  • 3.75 and above: magna cum laude (with high honors)
  • 3.50 and above: cum laude (with honors)

Latin honors that appear in the commencement program are based upon cumulative GPA at the end of Jan Term. Final honors are awarded at degree completion and will appear on transcripts and diplomas and are based upon Whitworth University academic credits.

Questions regarding Latin honors should be directed to registrar@whitworth.edu.

Diplomas 

In order to receive their diploma, students must meet their financial obligations to Whitworth.

  • Diplomas typically mail 6-8 weeks after degree requirements have been completed and will be sent to the address listed on students' graduation applications.
  • Diplomas include students' names as they appear on the graduation application.
  • Diplomas list name, degree and applicable honors. Major(s), minor(s), track(s)/concentration(s) and certification(s) will be listed on the official transcript.

Questions regarding diplomas should be directed to registrar@whitworth.edu.