Commencement

Each semester, WSU hosts an in-person commencement ceremony to recognize our graduates. The ceremony is also livestreamed for family and friends to view online.

Students who wish to participate need to register by April 3. All Spring 2023 graduates are automatically enrolled in the Graduation Readiness D2L course and will receive commencement information via their WSU email.

9am Ceremony

College of Education
College of Science & Engineering

Join the Livestream

12pm Ceremony

College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Join the Livestream

3pm Ceremony

College of Business
College of Liberal Arts

Join the Livestream

Tickets for Guests

At this time, tickets for guests are not being distributed. However, this may change as more students apply to walk in the commencement ceremony.

Information will be shared online and with graduating students via their WSU email accounts as ticketing decisions are made

International students can also learn more about getting a visitor visa for family members.

A male graduate poses with friends and family after the WSU Commencement Ceremony.

After the Ceremony

Graduates will follow the stage party out of McCown Gym to the Johnson Street turnaround, where they can choose to ring the WSU Commencement bell.

Guests are asked to wait to exit the gym and auditorium until the graduates are outside.

Please plan to meet at a location away from McCown Gym and the bell.

A female graduate happily rings the bell after the WSU Commencement Ceremony.

View the campus map or Google Maps for help navigating our campus.

The McCown Gymnasium in Memorial Hall is located off Main Street, adjacent to East 9th Street.

The McCown Gym has bleacher seating for guests. Graduates will sit in chairs arranged on the gym floor.

Guest seating is available on a first-come first-served basis

Doors will open for guests 30 minutes prior to each ceremony.

Strollers are not allowed in the McCown Gym.

IWC 145 is reserved for stroller parking. However, this room is not monitored.

The Harriet Johnson Auditorium on the second floor in Somsen Hall is located at the intersection of 8th Street and Johnson Street.

The Johnson Auditorium has theater-style seating with wooden chairs.

Seating in the overflow is first-come first-served.

Doors will open for guests 30 minutes prior to each ceremony.

Strollers are not allowed in the Johnson Auditorium.

IWC 145 is reserved for stroller parking. However, this room is not monitored.

Parking

All WSU parking lots are free of charge on Commencement day. Take a look at our Campus Parking Map (PDF) for parking available on campus.

Drop off for elderly and those with physical limitations is located at the end of Johnson Street. This can be accessed via Mark Street.

Accessibility Accommodations

A portion of seating will be reserved to accommodate people with limited accessibility.

Please advise ushers of your accessibility needs, and you’ll be directed to the area of the venue that suits your needs.

If a sign language interpreter is needed, please notify graduation@winona.edu at least 6 weeks in advance.

Graduates are seated in rows before the Commencement Ceremony stage.

Photography

To respect the dignity of the ceremony, guests are not allowed on the gym floor.

Please remain seated during the ceremony so that everyone can see their degree candidates recognized.

A professional photographer will photograph each candidate during the ceremony. If you have questions about photo packages, contact graduation@winona.edu.

Graduating students will be notified via their WSU email account that their photos are ready and available for purchase.

A professional photographer takes a picture of a graduate during the WSU Commencement Ceremony.

Meet the Class of 2023

After years of hard work, the Class of 2023 is ready to graduate.

They’ve pushed themselves to gain new skills and overcome challenges. They’ve built friendships and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Everyone at WSU is excited to see how our newest Warrior graduates will go out and continue improving our world.

Criteria for Graduation with Honors Notices to Hometown Media

Names will be listed once they are finalized.