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Quick Facts
- Upcoming Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
- Time: Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Guest seating will open at 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
- Livestream Information: Graduates and guests who can’t attend in person are invited to participate remotely via a livestream of the event. Graduates who opt in to participate remotely will have their names read during the presentation of degree candidates. Zoom, the hosting platform, is easy to use, but requires a few simple steps for set-up. Watch this quick tutorial video, so you can have devices prepped and ready when the ceremony begins. Click the button below on the day of the ceremony to watch the event. Zoom information will be released when we get closer to commencement. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/s/98120424126
Commencement Information
- Please review the Commencement Ceremony Graduate Guide for detailed information about the ceremony. Contact [email protected] if you have questions that aren’t answered by the guide.
Graduate Timeline
8:30 a.m. Graduates arrive – go to check-in table first
9:15 a.m. Line up for dress rehearsal
9:30 a.m. Dress rehearsal
10:15 a.m. Graduate class photos
10:30 a.m. Guest seating begins
10:50 a.m. Processional lines up – same order as for rehearsal
11:00 a.m. Commencement ceremony begins
12:30 p.m. Approximate end time for the commencement ceremony
Day-of Information
- Please come with your regalia steamed and ready-to-wear. Do not press the regalia with high heat, as it can damage the material. You will pick up your honors cords, veteran’s cords, and/or master’s degree stoles, if applicable, when you check in.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in. There are 2-3 stairs up to the stage.
- Coffee, tea and water will be available in the staging room.
- We will have assorted pastries and fruit available in the staging room. However, we strongly recommend eating a substantial breakfast to keep you going throughout the ceremony!
- You may park in the underground parking garage at the Oregon Convention Center. One parking voucher per graduate will be distributed by email prior to the ceremony.
- COVID-19 Safety. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or if you test positive, please stay home and email [email protected] We can include you to participate remotely, so that you can still be recognized during the ceremony. Please do not come in person if you are sick.
Eligibility
Students in the college of chiropractic are eligible to participate in commencement if:
- Their degree requirements were completed in a previous term (e.g., winter);
- They are on track to complete their degree requirements during the term that commencement is held (e.g., spring);
- They are on track to complete their degree requirements within two academic terms following commencement (e.g., summer or fall).
Students in the college of graduate studies are eligible to participate in commencement if:
- Their degree requirements were completed in a previous term (e.g., fall, winter);
- They are on track to complete their degree requirements during the term that commencement is held (e.g., spring); or
- They are on track to complete their degree requirements within one academic term following commencement (e.g., summer).
Students who are concurrently enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and the Master of Science degree in Sports Medicine should follow the eligibility criteria for students in the college of chiropractic.
Students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology with a Clinical Mental Health Specialization should follow the eligibility criteria for the EdD program. Students in the EdD SPP/CMHC program that complete the master’s in CMHC requirements will receive their diploma after completion of the master’s requirements.
Participating in the commencement ceremony does not signify completion of your academic program. Questions about your degree requirements can be sent to [email protected] or [email protected].
Regalia
Graduates and faculty, please arrive at the ceremony with your regalia steamed and ready-to-wear. Do not press the regalia with high heat, as it can damage the material. You will need to put on your regalia as soon as you arrive to the staging room at the convention center.
Graduates will pick up honors cords, veteran’s cords, and/or master’s degree stoles, if applicable, at the check-in table upon arrival.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in. There are 2-3 stairs up to the commencement stage.
Please review these videos showing how to wear master’s and doctoral regalia prior to the ceremony.
Do I qualify to receive an honors cord?
- GPA requirements to receive graduation honors are as follows:
- DC Program: cumulative GPA or of 3.5 or higher
- All other programs: cumulative GPA of 3.95 or higher
Do I qualify to receive a veteran’s cord?
- If you have served or are currently serving in the military (U.S. or Canadian), you may self-select to receive a veteran’s cord as part of your RSVP for commencement. UWS will order cords for attendees who qualify, at no cost to the graduate.
How do I order my honors cords or veteran’s cords?
- UWS will provide honors cords and/or veteran’s cords to each qualifying graduate who attends the in-person commencement ceremony, at no cost to the graduate. UWS provides honors cords and veteran’s cords only to graduates who attend the in-person ceremony. The university does not ship these items.
Parking, Transportation and Travel
Parking
- Graduates and employees will each receive one (1) parking voucher for the Oregon Convention Center. The voucher will be emailed to participants closer to the ceremony date.
- All other parking is the responsibility of the other drivers.
- Details for the OCC garage can be found here.
Public Transportation
- Graduates may request two one-way MAX tickets in lieu of a parking voucher. Arrange to pick up tickets by contacting [email protected].
- Stop ID 8341 goes eastbound from the convention center, while Stop ID 8376 goes west-bound
- From the Portland International Airport, there are transportation options including shuttles (many airport hotels offer free services), taxicabs and ride service options (e.g. Lyft and Uber), as well as the MAX light rail. For more information, check here.
Lodging
There are many hotels to choose from in the Portland area. To help with your selection, please visit www.travelportland.com for information on Portland hotels.
Alumni Reception and Other Activities
Alumni Welcome Reception
- Thursday, June 22: The office of alumni relations would like to welcome the 2023 graduates as new UWS alumni at the annual alumni welcome event. RSVP here.
- 4 – 6 p.m. on the UWS campus.
- Free headshots are offered at the event for all graduates.
- Open to graduates, families, faculty and staff to attend.
For those visiting from out of town, here are some resources to help you explore the surrounding area.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
We are pleased to announce that Deborah Bushway, PhD will be the keynote speaker at the June 2023 commencement ceremony. Dr. Bushway currently serves as the President and CEO at Northwestern Health Science University. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and has long been interested in innovations in higher education designed to improve student success.
Student Speaker
To be announced
FAQs
Guest information
We are delighted to welcome guests to the June 2023 commencement ceremony! Guests do not require tickets to attend, and there is not a specific limit on the number of guests that graduates can invite.
Gifts for graduates
Gifts for Graduates Guests are welcome to bring gifts for graduates; however any distracting items or items that will obscure other guests’ views will need to be located at the side or back of the ballroom. Please note that helium-filled balloons are not permitted in any part of the Oregon Convention Center (OCC). No exceptions.
Photos
Two professional photos will be taken of you during the commencement ceremony. You can purchase copies of these photos a few days after the ceremony at www.gradimages.com. Photos from throughout the day will also promptly be posted on UWS social media. Check them out here later on the day of graduation. Photo 1 – While shaking hands with Dr. Brimhall as he hands you the diploma cover. Photo 2 – After you leave the stage stand in front of the background holding your diploma for a ¾ length photo.