Top of page

Wake Forest Commencement Information

by Betsy Chapman

The following message is being sent to parents and families of the undergraduate Class of 2025 and any other undergraduate families with graduating students

Bottom Line, Up Front

  • Commencement, Baccalaureate speakers announced
  • Students eligible to graduate can begin ordering tickets for Commencement Weekend
  • Students who don’t need all their tickets can donate extras to a pool for use by larger families
  • Students should order their regalia (cap & gown) ASAP
  • Clear bag policy in effect for Commencement
  • Parking for Commencement: we encourage parking at LJVM Coliseum and shuttling to campus; no parking pass needed
  • Please review the Commencement website for more information

Dear parents and families of 2025 graduates,

Congratulations on your student’s upcoming graduation! We look forward to celebrating their achievements with you. This message shares important information about Commencement weekend; please read it in full.

Commencement, Baccalaureate speakers announced

  • Award-winning journalist Scott Pelley will deliver the University’s commencement address on Monday, May 19. The ceremony will take place on Hearn Plaza and begins at 9 a.m. Pelley has been reporting for the CBS News program “60 Minutes” for more than 20 years. Also joining Wake Forest for the commencement weekend will be Baccalaureate speaker Reverend Emma Jordan-Simpson, president of Auburn Theological Seminary. Find full details at the Commencement website.


Ticket ordering — now open for students

  • Commencement ticket registration is now open. All students expected to graduate in May 2025 have been sent a registration link with the option to register for Commencement tickets and Baccalaureate tickets. Students must order tickets for their guests by May 15 at 5 p.m. (though we encourage them to order sooner). Tickets will be available for download on May 1 (details about how to download their electronic tickets will be sent to students via email on May 1).
  • Students who complete their ticket registration can order up to 8 guest tickets for the University Commencement ceremony on the Quad (9 a.m. Monday, May 19) and up to 2 tickets for Baccalaureate (11 a.m. Sunday, May 18); students do not need to have a ticket for themselves if they are planning to march in the student processional for each ceremony.
  • In addition to general tickets, students may also purchase tickets to the Baccalaureate breakfast on the Mag patio and the Commencement morning breakfast in North Dining Hall; meal tickets are non-refundable.
  • Please discuss your family’s ticket needs with your student so that they can order tickets and other items appropriately. Please note the fulfillment of ticket requests are contingent upon successful completion of courses this term, which is determined by the Office of the University Registrar.

Students who don’t need all their tickets can donate extras to a pool for use by larger families

  • If your student does not need all eight (8) tickets to Commencement, they can order only the tickets they need, and return unneeded tickets to a general pool for use by others.
  • If your student needs more than eight (8) tickets, they can request extra tickets from a general pool. Extra ticket notifications will be released to students who requested additional tickets on April 18.

Students should order their cap and gown/regalia ASAP

  • In addition to having your student register for tickets, please encourage your student to order their Commencement regalia as soon as possible. Shipping can take up to four weeks, and orders ship in the order they are received. A limited number of caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Bookstore; note that limited sizes will be stocked.

Clear bag policy and prohibited items

  • A clear bag policy will be in effect.
  • Prohibited items include: alcohol, coolers, pets, pocket knives or weapons of any kind, signs of any kind, suitcases, tripods, wrapped gifts, umbrellas.

Parking and transportation

  • Because parking on campus is limited, families are encouraged to park at the LJVM Coliseum and take the free shuttle to campus on Commencement day (Monday, May 19).
  • We encourage families attending Baccalaureate (Sunday, May 18) to park in Lot Q (the large lot across the street on the back side of Wait Chapel).
  • On Monday, May 19
    • You do not need a parking pass to enter campus on Commencement day (Monday, May 19). As you enter campus, you will be directed by traffic officials as to where to park.
    • Special needs parking is available in lot Z3 with a state-issued ADA placard.
    • The Polo Road entrance will be closed to individual cars on Monday, May 19; you must use the University Parkway or Reynolda Road entrances.

Please review the Commencement website

  • We know you may have other questions, and we encourage you to review the Commencement website, paying particular attention to these pages:

Students eligible to graduate will receive additional information and instructions closer to May. In the meantime, if you have any questions that are not answered on the Commencement website, please do not hesitate to contact us at commencement@wfu.edu. We look forward to celebrating your students’ achievements in May!

Wake Forest University Commencement Office

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.