Olin Graduation Recognition Ceremony – December Ceremony

Olin Graduation Recognition Ceremony
Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 1:30 p.m. CT
Athletic Complex Field House

The December Graduation Recognition Ceremony will occur on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in the Athletic Complex, Field House.

For clarification, there are two separate events on Saturday. The first is the University-wide Chancellor’s Recognition Ceremony, which will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Athletic Complex, Field House. Please note that you must register separately to attend this ceremony by visiting the Commencement Website. Questions regarding the University-wide Commencement event should be directed to the Commencement Office at 314-935-5985 or visit the Commencement Website.

The second event is Olin’s December Graduation Recognition Ceremony. This ceremony is for Olin Business School graduates only to highlight student and faculty awards and honors. There is an elected student speaker, and Olin students present Olin faculty with awards. Each degree candidate can cross the stage. The ceremony will be held in the Athletic Complex Field House (no tickets are needed) and will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m.

If you have any questions about Olin’s graduation event, please contact olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu.

Graduation Video

Please watch this video to learn how to file your intent to graduate, register to attend your graduation ceremony, rent your regalia, and all the details on what to expect on the day of your graduation ceremony.

File Your Intent To Graduate

To graduate in December, you must file your intent by Sunday, October 1, 2023. You can do this in WebSTAC. Please contact your program advisor if you are unsure about filing your intent.

Click here to watch a demonstration on filing your intent to graduate and properly filling out your diploma shipping address.

Registration

Registration is NOT open yet.

Registration will open in mid-October. You will receive an email to your wustl account when registration opens.

Click here to watch a demonstration on how to register to attend graduation.

FAQ

For our Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. If your question is not listed, please contact your Program Office or email: olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu.

Regalia (Cap and Gown)

DEADLINE TO ORDER REGALIA: November 10, 2023 (Regalia is currently not available to rent, please check back in early October)

• Approximate Bachelor rental cost: $57 + tax
• Approximate Master rental cost: $87 + tax
• Approximate Doctoral rental cost: $90 + tax
• Pick up regalia at Umrath Lounge, on TBD from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• A late pick-up on TBD in Umrath Lounge will be available starting at 8:00 a.m.
• Graduate students: Wear your tassel on your left while wearing your cap. Hoods should be worn at the ceremony. Check out How to Wear an Academic Hood.
• Undergraduate students: Your tassel should be worn on the right side while wearing your cap.

You are responsible for paying for your regalia rental and returning your regalia to the bookstore. You can return your regalia to the lower level of the bookstore after your ceremony. The bookstore is open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

For questions, call the Campus Store customer service desk at 314-935-5500.

Diplomas

The registrar’s office will coordinate your diploma shipment once your degree is conferred by the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Martin.  Please pay careful attention to the information below to ensure the delivery of your diploma.

• Diplomas will be shipped to your Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC. Be sure to go into WebSTAC and add your Diploma Mailing Address. If you aren’t sure where you will be living after graduation, use a family member’s address that can get it to you.
• Address changes made after January 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST may not be captured for diploma shipments. 

You will NOT receive your diploma during the ceremony. The university offers certified electronic diplomas to all graduates along with your paper credentials. Your degree conferral date is January 22, 2024. Diplomas will be ordered from January 31st. Your certified electronic diploma will be ordered on your behalf and will take approximately 2 weeks to receive once diplomas are ordered. Instructions on how to obtain and download your diploma will be sent to your @wustl.edu email address. Note: The link to download your degree has an expiration date, so be sure to download it when you receive the email. Your paper diploma and diploma cover will arrive approximately 6-8 weeks after degree conferral (January 22), and you will receive notification once your diploma has been shipped. **International diploma shipments could be affected depending on customs and international shipping restrictions. The Registrar’s office monitors this information closely and will communicate with graduates as needed.

Any additional questions or comments should be sent to diplomaservices@wustl.edu along with your student ID number.

Arrival and Seating

The ceremony will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. Graduates, plan to arrive at the Athletic Complex, Sumers Gym elevated track no later than 12:45 p.m. Please do not bring large items with you (e.g., Large purses, backpacks, stuffed animals). There is no place to store them; they are a tripping hazard when put under your chairs during the ceremony. We advise you to leave your things with a family member/friend. A fanny pack or small cross-body bag/purse can easily fit under your regalia.

You MUST pick up your name card at the tables in the Athletic Complex, Sumers Gym elevated track on the ceremony day. You can do this beginning at 12:30 p.m. You’ll be asked to confirm your name and post-graduation address’s accuracy during this time. Your name card has three important details:

• A QR code that links to your pre-recorded name for the ceremony
• Your permanent email address to receive graduation photos
• Your diploma mailing address for the photographer to mail photos you may order

Please DO NOT BEND your name card. It will damage the QR code, causing your pre-recorded name not to play. Please confirm the accuracy of your name and post-graduation address, noting any corrections. Be careful not to misplace your name card; you will need it during the ceremony.

Volunteers will direct you into line for the procession. You should be in line by 1:15 p.m. There is no need for the line to be in alphabetical order, but we will separate the BSBA, Specialized Masters, MBA, and PMBA students into four groups to process into the ceremony. The student marshals and award winners will lead the procession of graduates into the Field House. See Ceremony Map (PDF).

Order of Ceremony

• Processional
• Welcome – Dean
• Student Speaker – TBD
• Presentation of Faculty and Student Awards
• Presentation of Candidates
• Closing Remarks – Dean
• Recessional

Presentation of Graduates

A Row Monitor wearing a red lanyard will signal your row when it’s time to stand and proceed to the stage. Graduates will stand one row at a time, starting with the first row of Section One, and proceed to the steps on the left of the stage. Section One will graduate first, followed by Section Two. Please form an orderly line when approaching the stage to prevent blocking any guests’ view of the stage, particularly those sitting on the lower bleacher seats.

As your turn approaches to cross the stage, hand your name card to a program office representative so your name can be announced. After you hand over your name card, walk to center stage. Your picture with the Dean will be taken at this time. Your name and degree(s) will be shown on the large screen.

Proceed down the stairs on the opposite side of the stage. A photographer will take two photos of you holding a diploma cover. Finally, return to your seat by entering your row at the end opposite where you exited. You will not keep the diploma cover used in photographs. Your diploma cover will be mailed with your degree diploma.

Graduates are to remain seated until all degrees are awarded. This ceremony will be about 2 hours long. It disrupts the ceremony when graduates get out of their seats to leave before everyone crosses the stage. Once the Dean ends the ceremony, please rise when Pomp and Circumstance begins and remain standing at your seat until all of the stage participants have passed. You will recess out following the stage participants, beginning with the front row and continuing until all graduate seats are empty. The ceremony is complete when all stage participants and graduates have recessed from the gym.

Photography:

• There will be a professional photographer taking pictures of you with the Dean on stage. These photos, along with the individual photos taken after you cross the stage, will be available for viewing and purchase online within 72 hours on the Grad Images website: www.gradimages.com/

After the Ceremony

TBD

* To view PDF files, you’ll need Acrobat Reader. Download for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Parking

Parking can be challenging on graduation day. Visitors may park in any area of the university parking lots and garages except for those designated as accessible parking or loading zones. For more information, look at Washington University’s Maps, Direction, and Parking website.

The best parking for access to the Olin Graduation Ceremonies will be in the Snow Way Garage (enter off Big Bend at Snow Way) or the Millbrook Garage (enter off Forest Park Parkway). From the Snow Way Garage, you can easily walk to the Athletic Complex from the top level by following the posted signs. MetroLink, the St. Louis light rail system, is an alternative to driving to the University. If MetroLink is convenient to your hotel or home, it is recommended that you use it. Exit at the Skinker Station, which is located just east of the Brookings Hall parking lot, to attend the All-University Commencement Ceremony. Exit at the University City-Big Bend Station at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Big Bend Blvd., for a short walk to the Athletic Complex to attend the Olin Graduation Recognition Ceremony. MetroLink information is available at http://www.metrostlouis.org/.

Accessibility

Mobility Assistance

Sign up for mobility assistance or accessibility needs during graduation. The events team will email all sign-ups a week before the upcoming ceremonies. Accessibility maps and information about buildings on campus can be found on our Facilities website.

Accessible Seating

Entrances into the Athletic Complex Field House are accessible. Once inside, we have marked several chairs on the floor level for accessible seating

Closed Captioning

Closed captioning will be available on our jumbotron screens during each Olin ceremony. There will also be an ASL interpreter on stage during each ceremony.

Emergency Services

During the ceremony, ambulance services will stand by in case of any emergency. Anyone needing assistance should come to the entrance to the Field House or alert a volunteer for emergency assistance.

For More Information

If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please contact us at olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu

FUTURE CEREMONY DATES:

TBD