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Commencement Event Details

The University of West Alabama faculty and staff congratulate you on reaching this academic milestone in your academic career.  

Whether you choose to attend commencement exercises or choose to celebrate on your own, we want you to know that we are proud of your accomplishments. 

If you indicated participation on your degree completion application, we look forward to welcoming you to campus and celebrating and honoring all your hard work with those who have supported you.  

Spring Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Math & Science Building at UWA Auditorium on UWA's campus located in Livingston, Alabama, Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5.  Please be aware that campus will be open on these days, so we invite our distance students who have never visited campus to stop by the UWA Bookstore or reach out to faculty and staff to say hello.  

*Ceremonies for respective colleges are subject to change after the final application submission deadline - March 13.  

* Check your UWA email regularly for email updates from the UWA Commencement Committee.  

 

Thursday, May 4, 2023

5:00 pm

Master of Education (M.Ed.) (A-K Last Name)

 

7:00 pm

Master of Education (M.Ed.) (L-Z Last Name)

 

Friday, May 5, 2023

9:00 am (undergraduates)

Division of Nursing

Division of Engineering Technology

College of Liberal Arts

College of Business

 

Noon (undergraduates)

College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

College of Education

 

3:00 pm

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Education Specialist (Ed.S.)

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Master of Science (MS)

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T)

Master of Athletic Training (MATR)

The Traditions of Commencement

The commencement exercise is the apex of the academic year in that it marks the culmination of years of acquisition of knowledge and skills by the students.

Commencement is an occasion for joy as students enter another phase of their lives, but it is also a formal ceremony, steeped in tradition, and a time for solemn and reflective appreciation of the experience afforded by a university. We thus ask the graduating students and their guests to adhere to the proper decorum for this hallowed event.

Commencement Day Instructions

WHERE & WHEN TO REPORT: All degree candidates must report to the front entrance of Pruitt Hall Gym one hour prior to your scheduled ceremony.

UPON ARRIVAL: All degree candidates should check in at the entrance, you will then be directed to the assembly location of the college to line up and have your photos made.

PROCESSIONAL:  Staff marshals will meet candidates at the assembly locations and direct movement throughout the ceremony. The candidate lines will begin processing out of their locations approximately 30 minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony. Candidates will follow their college marshal to the appropriate seating location. All candidates should remain standing until the ceremony begins and they are instructed to be seated.

DEGREE CONFERRAL: Staff marshals will direct candidates to the stage at the appropriate time to receive their degrees. Doctoral students should bring their hood with them at commencement check-in. After crossing the stage, all candidates must return to their seats.

DURATION: The commencement ceremony will last approximately 1 hour. Out of respect for all degree candidates, once seated, all participants are expected to stay until the conclusion of the ceremony.

LATE ARRIVALS: Late arrivals run the risk of not sitting with their college.

Commencement Etiquette 

  • Arrive on time

  • Men remove caps during national anthem and state song

  • Walk cheerfully and gracefully across the stage

  • Silence cell phones

  • Be respectful of others

  • Remain in your seat until the ceremony has ended

  • Remove gum before going across stage

  • Hold applause until all graduates are recognized

     

Professional Photographer

To avoid interference with the marching lines of degree recipients, a professional photographer will be present to photograph each graduate receiving a diploma. Students will be sent an email and snail mail proof of photos. Two pictures will be taken at the ceremony. The first photo will be taken as the student crosses the stage and the second photo will be taken after the student exits the stage. There is no obligation to buy these photos.

Ticket Policy

  • Tickets will be required for the ceremony 
  • Every person attending must have a ticket, regardless of age. 
  • Each participating graduate will receive four (4) tickets for their ceremony. 
  • No additional tickets are available. 
  • Tickets will be emailed only to graduates participating in the ceremony two weeks prior to the ceremony.
  • Masks are highly encouraged for all graduates and visitors to campus.
Graduates or Guests requiring ADA Accommodations or Assistance for the ceremony or other events should email commencement@uwa.edu, to make arrangements.