COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND ESSENTIALS

Washington Adventist University (WAU) recognizes that there are important differences between participating in the commencement ceremony and actually graduating from the university. WAU holds one commencement ceremony a year, traditionally in April/May. Although we confer degrees in July and December as well, this is the official time when degrees are conferred during a ceremony. All those who graduated in July and December of the preceding year (i.e. For the May 2024 ceremony those who graduated July 2023 and December 2023) are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony provided they have received financial clearance to do so.

COMMENCEMENT: Commencement refers to the ceremony, officiated by the provost and president of the university. It is an opportunity whereby graduation candidates are acknowledged for their academic achievements in the presence of their family, friends, and fellow colleagues. It is also a time for the university, president, deans, program directors/chairs, faculty, and staff to pay special tribute to students for the outstanding efforts they have shown while trying to earn their degree.  The commencement ceremony is often confused with “graduation.”

CANDIDATE: Graduates from the previous July and December, and Spring participants in the ceremony.

GRADUATE: Refers to the official title a graduation candidate is given whereby a student has completed all academic requirements (according to their specified bulletin). Those considered a “graduate” have their conferral date recorded on their transcript and they are issued a diploma. In order to receive a diploma, all financial obligations to the university must be met (must have a zero balance and done exit interview). Note: Conferral dates are defined as the date by which a degree is officially awarded. Diplomas are issued after the degree conferral date, to students who have graduated and are financially cleared.

PARTICIPANT: Refers to those who are participating in the Commencement ceremony. All participants have been given permission from both the Office of the Registrar and Student Accounts/SGPS office to participate. Each office will alert an individual separately regarding their participation status. If one office gives permission, but the other doesn’t, an individual will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

NOTE: Participation in a commencement ceremony does not itself constitute conferral of a degree, nor does it imply an obligation on the part of the university to award a degree before all requirements have been met and certified. Official proof of degree completion (graduation) is provided only by a diploma and transcript.