Honoring our graduating Washburn University and Washburn Tech students

"This is truly my favorite time of the year when we gather to celebrate our students. It is such a feeling of pride as we watch each student cross the stage, knowing they worked diligently and have achieved so much. Each student started with a plan and a dream and now they cross the stage as new alumni, ready for their chosen career path, and forever part of the Washburn community. Go Bods!"

— President JuliAnn Mazachek

Graduate to do's

Before you graduate

After you graduate

Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies A Washburn Tech graduate shakes hands with the Dean.

Washburn Tech

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Lee Arena
 6 p.m. Ceremony:
All Washburn Tech programs
A graduate raises a fist in celebration while shaking hands with the president.

Washburn University

Friday, December 12, 2025
 1 p.m. Ceremony:
Harmony Hines School of Nursing pinning and graduation ceremony (White Concert Hall)
 4 p.m. Ceremony:
School of Applied Studies, Brenneman School of Business, School of Law and the College of Arts and Sciences (Lee Arena)

Get ready to graduate

Before you walk across the stage, make sure you've checked off the essentials! All graduating students (Washburn University and Washburn Tech) must submit a graduation application and order your cap and gown by the posted deadlines. Use the links below to get started and stay on track.

Lee Arena

1901 SW Mulvane Street

Graduates

  • Please enter Lee Arena through the Northeast doors and check in with Washburn staff upon arrival.
  • The accessibility entrance is located at the south end of the arena.
  • Graduates will assemble in the North and West halls outside the arena. Signage will be provided to help you find your place in line.
  • Plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.

Guests

  • Please enter through the Southeast doors of Lee Arena.
  • The accessibility entrance is located at the south end of the arena.
  • Doors will open for guests approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

White Concert Hall

1700 SW Jewell Avenue

Graduates

  • Please enter White Concert Hall through the West doors and check in with Washburn staff upon arrival.
  • The accessibility entrance is located at the Southwest front door facing Jewell Avenue.
  • Graduates will assemble in Hurd Recital Hall. Signage will be provided to help you find your place in line.
  • Plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.

Guests

  • Please enter through the main doors on the west side of White Concert Hall.
  • The accessibility entrance is located at the Southwest front door facing Jewell.
  • Doors will open for guests approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
  • No food or liquids are allowed in White Concert Hall. If you have an accommodation, please reach out to washburnpresident@washburn.edu at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony.
  • Graduates are encouraged to arrive wearing their academic regalia, as there will be no changing stations available.
  • Regalia should be purchased through the Ichabod Shop. A pop-up Ichabod Shop will be on-site in case you forget any items on the day of commencement.
  • No lockers or storage rooms will be available. Please leave valuables at home, locked in your vehicle, or with a trusted guest.
Parking is free across Washburn University's campus.

View campus map

Please note: With multiple ceremonies taking place at Lee Arena and White Concert Hall, increased traffic and congestion are expected. We kindly ask all graduates and guests to allow extra time and remain patient when arriving and departing the event.

Lee Arena Parking

The following lots are located near Lee Arena:

  • Lot 2
  • Lot 3
  • Lot 4
  • Lot 5 – Reserved for ADA-accessible parking for graduates and guests
  • Lot 16

White Concert Hall Parking

The following lots are located near White Concert Hall:

  • Lot 9
  • Lot 10 – Closest ADA-accessible parking for graduates and guests
  • Lot 11

Guest seating at Lee Arena and White Concert Hall

Washburn University is proud to welcome graduates and their guests to White Concert Hall and the newly renovated Lee Arena. With more than 1,000 seats in White Concert Hall and over 2,000 seats available on the south, west, and east bleachers in Lee Arena, family and friends can enjoy watching their graduate cross the stage in celebration.

Please note:

  • All seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Saving or reserving rows of seats is not permitted.
  • No food or liquids are allowed in White Concert Hall.

Accessible seating

  • Accessible seating for guests with mobility impairments or in wheelchairs is located in:
    • the east and west bleachers in Lee Arena.
    • the front row of White Concert Hall and also at the midway aisle on each side of the Concert Hall.
  • These areas are also first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved in advance.
Washburn staff will be available on-site to assist guests with special needs. If you or your guests require accommodations or accessible seating, please email washburnpresident@washburn.edu at least two weeks before the ceremony to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

For Washburn University graduates, professional photographers will be on site to capture key moments during the ceremony, including:

  • The presentation of your diploma or certificate cover
  • Hooding ceremonies (for master's and doctoral graduates)
  • An individual portrait after you cross the stage

These souvenir photos are available for optional purchase—there is no obligation to buy. After commencement, the photography company will contact you directly with ordering information. Washburn Tech graduates will be directed to a website for their photos.

Celebrate your achievement by taking your own photos at some of Washburn's most iconic campus spots, including:

  • The Ichabod statue (in front of Morgan Hall)
  • The garden west of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
  • The Kuehne Bell Tower at the center of campus
  • The eagle in front of Robert J. Dole Hall
Don't forget to share your special moments on Washburn’s social media pages using your favorite graduation hashtags!
Graduates smile and take a selfie.

Celebrate with #WashburnGrad

Show off your Ichabod pride by sharing your grad photos, memories and shoutouts on social media using #WashburnGrad. Don't forget to tag @WashburnUniversity and @Washburn_Tech!

Latin honors are awarded to students seeking their first baccalaureate degree who have met their degree requirements by completing undergraduate course work and achieving a high cumulative grade point average. There are three levels of Latin honors:

  • Summa cum laude
    • Blue/white cord
    • 3.8 - 4.0 GPA
  • Magna cum laude
    • Gold cord
    • 3.6 - 3.79
  • Cum laude
    • Silver cord
    • 3.4 - 3.59
The National Technical Honor Society is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education. As the honor society for Career & Technical Education, NTHS serves over 100,000 active members annually in both secondary and postsecondary chapters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, nearly 1.2 million students have become NTHS alumni. NTHS honors the achievements of top CTE students, provides over $300,000 in scholarships annually, and strives to help connect education and industry to build a highly skilled workforce. Students who are selected are awarded purple and white honor cords to wear at graduation.

Students receiving University Honors have completed requirements set forward by the University Honors Program. This program provides highly motivated and academically talented students with enriched educational experiences in and out of the classroom, enabling and empowering them to realize their full potential as critical thinkers, and informed global citizens and agents of change. Toward this end, the program provides curricular and co-curricular experiences supporting, promoting and rewarding excellence in academic rigor, research and scholarship, leadership and service learning. Honors students wear green stoles to indicate their level of achievement and distinction.

Students receiving University Honors are recognized at one of three levels, based on the number of Honors credits they have completed. Honors credits are curricular experiences designed by faculty to encourage increased rigor, innovation and depth. Honors courses unite faculty and students in a critical examination of the world and foster student independence and creativity. Honors Associates complete 12 hours of Honors credit, Honors Scholars complete 18 hours of Honors credit and Honors Graduates complete 24 hours of Honors credit.

Honors students may also achieve distinction or high distinction in services, with the completion of 50 or 100 hours of service to the community.
Students receive a medallion upon completing a Washburn Transformational Experience (WTE) and may earn multiple medallions. These medallions are worn during commencement to recognize their achievements. Through community service, international education, leadership, and scholarly or creative activities, students develop problem-solving skills, broaden their perspectives, and gain the vision and responsibility to lead and contribute meaningfully in their communities and the global society.
The Bonner Leader Program at Washburn University is a national community engagement program supported by the Bonner Foundation in Princeton, NJ. Members engage in service to effect social change while gaining the skills needed to become civically engaged members of their community and future professions. Washburn University recognizes the dedication and accomplishments of the students in this program by conferring the University honor of Bonner Leader upon graduation after successful completion of at least three full years with the program.
A student who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or better in a graduate degree program in Education is designated a Stoffer Scholar at commencement.
Colleges, schools, academic departments, student organizations, and veterans each have their own criteria for awarding honors and recognition. In addition, some disciplines offer membership in national or international honor societies, which have their own requirements. Students are encouraged to review the specific guidelines for their area of study, program, or organization to learn more about available honors and how they are awarded.

Frequently asked questions

Tickets are not required to attend Washburn University, including Washburn Tech, commencement ceremonies. Lee Arena has over 2,000 seats available, first come, first served. White Concert Hall has 1,000 seats available, first come, first served.
It is not necessary to RSVP for the Washburn University, including Washburn Tech, commencement ceremonies at Lee Arena or White Concert Hall. Your program or school may have events that require an RSVP, that directive would come from your department or dean.
Doors will open for guests approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Diplomas and certificates are available approximately two months after each semester/term concludes. The Registrar's Office mails, upon completion of degree requirements, one complimentary diploma/certificate. These are mailed to the address provided at the time the student applied to graduate. Diplomas and certificates are not issued if the student has outstanding financial obligations to Washburn.
If you are scheduled to complete final requirements for a degree during the following summer term, you may participate in the spring commencement ceremony. In order to do so you must have submitted an application for graduation by the spring deadline.

The Spring 2026 graduation ceremonies will be:

  • Washburn Tech
    • Thursday, May 14 in Lee Arena
      • 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
  • Washburn University
    • Friday, May 15 in White Concert Hall
      • Harmony Hines School of Nursing (pinning & grad) 11:00 a.m.
      • Brenneman School of Business 2 p.m.
      • School of Law 5:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 16 in Lee Arena
      • School of Applied Studies (certificate & grad) 10:00 a.m.
      • College of Arts & Sciences 2:00 p.m.
Check back in the spring for more information.

Post graduation resources

Alumni Assoc.

Join the Washburn Alumni Association!
Alumni Association

Diplomas

Diploma mailing and replacement.
Diplomas

Transcripts

Request a final transcript.
Transcripts
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