Graduate Commencement Guide 2013
Event Information
The university will hold a Commencement solely for graduate and doctoral degree students at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, in the Feldman Arena, O'Neill Convocation Center, Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury.
In addition to the conferring of graduate degrees and diplomas, the event will include a hooding ceremony at which each Master’s Degree candidate will be invested with the hood of his or her major.
Who is eligible to participate in the 2013 Graduate Commencement?
- Students who completed their degree or diploma requirements at the end of the 2012 Fall Semester.
- Students who will complete their degree requirements in May 2013 and August 2013.
The ceremony
You will be assigned to a designated place in the Commencement procession and assigned to a seating section in the arena. This is necessary to recognize you formally as you come onto the stage to be introduced and invested with the hood denoting your Master’s or Doctoral Degree.
There will be plenty of seating in the Feldman Arena. No tickets or other method of reserving seats will be issued.
Access Ability Needs
Any student or a member of the student’s family that requires special accommodations for the May Commencement ceremony must contact the Office of University Events (203) 837-8800 no later than Friday, April 26th.
Accommodations
The university has negotiated special rates with local hotels for guests attending WCSU's Commencement festivities. To make your reservation, call the hotel
of your choice directly. Book your reservation early to ensure room
availability. When booking your reservation, make sure to ask for the
special WCSU
rate. We looking forward to seeing you on campus this May.
Reception
A reception will be held in the Feldman Arena after the ceremony for graduates and their guests.
Academic Dress – Academic Regalia
All participants in the academic procession are required to wear academic regalia. Graduates can pick up their academic regalia at the
Grad
Salute on:
Thursday, May 2, 2013
3 to 7 p.m.
Warner Hall
Midtown campus
Graduating students are invited to this event where they will have an opportunity to finalize their Commencement needs in one stop and pick up their pre-ordered academic regalia. Representatives will be on hand to assist students in making final graduation preparations. Complimentary food and fun activities will be available. Plus, enter to win a free custom WCSU diploma frame, gift certificate towards a class ring, WCSU apparel, door prizes and swag.
Graduates must order your academic regalia by Friday, April 12, 2013.
If you are unable to pick up your regalia, please ask a friend or family member to do it for you. Due to space limitations, regalia will not be available for pickup on the day of Commencement.
For Ed.D. regalia, contact Helen Bechard at (203) 837-8800 or bechardh@wcsu.edu.
Directions to the Campus
Click here to view directions to our campus
Driving directions following the ceremony
Cars leaving the campus after the ceremony will be directed West along Mill Plain Road. Interestate-84 can be accessed both eastbound and westbound at Exit 2, about three miles from campus.
University Fees
All fees (cashier, library, parking, etc.) must be paid prior to Commencement or your diploma will be withheld.
Graduate Portraits
Photographers from GradTrak Graduation Images will be on stage to photograph graduates. Proofs will be mailed to you after the ceremony. You are under no obligation to purchase. Visit www.gradimages.com or call (800) 424-3686 for information.
Video
The university will stream the Commencement ceremonies on the WCSU Web site at no charge, starting the week after the ceremonies.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase at the event.
Invitations and Announcements
The WCSU Bookstore works with a company called Balfour to provide WCSU
Commencement invitations and related materials. Go to http://www.balfour.com for more information.
Campus Bookstore
The campus Bookstore will operate a sale area near the Commencement site
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed from the Registrar’s office approximately eight weeks after your graduation date.
WCSU Official Diploma Frames
Graduation from college is a huge accomplishment. What better way to display this great achievement than in an official
WCSU diploma frame. For years to come, your diploma will remain safe and look impressive.
Visit Western's Diploma Frame Store online. There are several diploma frame styles to choose from and you can even design your frame online by choosing different mouldings, mats and glass styles depending on your taste.
New this year, graduates can have the name of their academic school included on their diploma frame beneath the name of the university.
We also offer several desk accessories that feature an attractive and rich-looking two-toned engraved medallion with the Western seal. Some of the pieces can even be personalized with your name.
You can order your diploma frame and desk accessories online or by phone with a credit card at (203) 837-8298. If you would like us to send you a diploma frame brochure, please call us at the number above.
Engraved Brick
Leave your legacy at Western by engraving your name and a special
message on a 4 x 8 brick located in the
Alumni & Friends
Circle. The Alumni & Friends Circle, located in between Old Main
and Fairfield Hall, houses an ensemble of inscribed bricks, trees,
benches and light posts donated by alumni and friends of the
university. Several brick paths now lead into the circle making it
highly visible to students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors.
Download the order form or call the Office of Alumni Relations
at (203) 837-8298 for more information.
Short-term Medical Insurance
After graduation, many students lose their health insurance coverage
under their parents' plans, making them vulnerable to high
healthcare costs.
GradMed
provides protection from the major expenses associated with an
accident or unexpected illness, providing coverage while job
searching or waiting for new employee benefits to begin. An ideal
product for new graduates, with GradMed you can choose a coverage
period and deductible that meets your needs. Coverage can begin as
early as the day after receipt of your application. For more
information, visit the
GradMed Web site.
