Commencement Ceremony

Fall Ceremony is December 14, 2018

  • 10am - Colleges of Business, Education and Science & Engineering
  • 2pm - Colleges of Liberal Arts and Nursing & Health Sciences

Winona State University's commencement ceremony will take place in the McCown Gymnasium - Memorial Hall.

**Students are expected to arrive and check in 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. 

**Due to space limitations, it is strongly encouraged to limit guests to four per graduate. 

  • McCown Gymnasium is located on Main Street adjacent to 9th Street.
  • Drop off for elderly and those with physical limitations is located at the end of Johnson Street by Box Office. This can be accessed via Mark Street.
  • The commencement ceremony is approximately an hour and a half.
  • Friends and family of those participating in commencement should arrive early as seating is limited.
  • Students are expected to arrive and check in 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
  • Doors open one hour prior to each ceremony. All WSU parking lots are free of charge on commencement day.

Commencement Rehearsal - December 13, 2018

  • 10am - Colleges of Business, Education and Science & Engineering
  • 11am - Colleges of Liberal Arts and Nursing & Health Sciences
Students should check in at the tables outside of Harriet Johnson Auditorium (2nd floor Somsen Hall) 30 minutes prior to rehearsal.

To respect the dignity of the ceremony and allow all guests to see their degree candidates recognized, guests are not allowed on the gym floor and are requested to remain seated. Lifetouch will photograph each candidate during the ceremony. Degree candidates will receive a proof via their WSU email account with information regarding the options to purchase portraits. Questions regarding photographs should be directed to Lifetouch at 507.412.4330.

Lifetouch information flyer (PDF)

Winona State University awards university honor cords to graduates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. Learn more about all of the honor cords worn by WSU graduates.

In addition to the live stream, the commencement ceremony will be broadcasted by HBC in Winona on channel 25 and by Charter in Rochester on channel 20.

The three ceremonies will be streamed with captions in multiple language including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish.

The ceremony will be re-telecast at later dates. The dates and times will be posted on the WSU webpage.

Spring 2019

Spring 2019 Commencement will be Friday, May 10, 2019.

We would like to recognize and acknowledge that Winona State University is situated on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. We acknowledge and honor the Dakota Nations and the sacred land of all indigenous peoples.