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Times and other details for April commencement

Jan. 20, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University is expected to confer about 3,100 degrees during four commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 29, in University Arena.

Starting times and colleges included in each ceremony are:

  • 9 a.m. - College of Arts and Sciences
  • noon - College of Aviation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, College of Fine Arts and College of Health and Human Services
  • 3 p.m. - College of Education and Extended University Programs
  • 6 p.m. - Haworth College of Business

As a result of changes announced last fall in the university's academic calendar, the date for commencement was moved back one week to April 29.

Why the move to University Arena?

These will be the first commencement ceremonies held in University Arena since Read Fieldhouse was completely reconstructed in the early 1990s. Prior to that time, the fieldhouse had served as the regular home for commencement ceremonies for many years, with warm-weather ceremonies frequently held at Waldo Stadium.

Miller Auditorium, the regular venue for commencement for the past decade, is unavailable because of the four-week run, April 19 through May 14, of "The Phantom of the Opera." Spring commencement is one of several annual events moved to alternate locations to accommodate the West Michigan premiere of the hit Broadway musical.

Summer commencement ceremonies, July 1, will return to Miller Auditorium.

Commencement tickets

Each graduating student is eligible for up to four guest tickets for spring commencement ceremonies. Tickets must be reserved by Wednesday, April 19, through the Registrar's Office. Tickets may be reserved online through GoWMU or by calling (269) 387-4300.

Students are encouraged to make reservations online by going to the Academic Services Channel in GoWMU and following this path: Student > My Self-Service > Student Self-Service > Academic Services > Graduation Ceremony RSVP.

Beginning Monday, April 24, the Monday before commencement, students will be able to pick up their commencement tickets in the WMU Bookstore. Graduating students must pick up their tickets in person and must present their Bronco ID card.

Additional information about regalia, parking, purchasing official commencement photos and videos and other details will be published as it becomes available in WMU News and on the Commencement Web site at www.wmich.edu/commencement.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
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Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
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