Commencement

APPLY/PETITION FOR GRADUATION

All students graduating must apply/petition for graduation by Monday, April 3rd regardless of if they plan to attend Commencement. Visit the Grad Finale page for instructions on applying/petitioning for graduation, along with other graduation needs.

PAY THE GRADUATION FEE

Payment of the Graduation Fee is required for anyone receiving a degree and must be paid by Monday, April 3rd. This mandatory fee does not include any additional overseas mailing costs for mailing your diploma. An Undergraduate student, who has been approved to apply for graduation, may do so online through the degree audit in GUS. The red button can be found below the summary of hours under "Notes from Registrar". If you cannot access this feature on your GUS degree audit, please go to the Degree Checking Office, 102 Russ Hall, to obtain a Fee Card. A Graduate student obtains a fee statement when petitioning for candidacy. Contact the Graduate Office [103 Russ Hall, 620-235-4218] if you have any questions concerning the Candidacy procedures.

IF PLANNING TO ATTEND COMMENCEMENT, RSVP AND REGISTER FOR GUEST TICKETS

All students planning to attend Commencement must RSVP and register for guest tickets at https://pittsburgstate.formstack.com/forms/commencement by May 10th. Tickets are required for all guests who will be walking in the Processional with the graduate. (No more than six guests will be allowed in the Processional. Additional guests can attend and will be seated in the Arena.)

Using the request form, you can:

1. Request to pick up your name card and guest tickets from the Registrar's Office beginning on Monday, April 3rd (103 Russ Hall, Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm), or

2. Request to have your name card and guest tickets mailed. The mail option is available for orders placed through April 28th. After this date, the name card and guest tickets can only be picked up.

PICK UP REGALIA

Students can begin picking up regalia in the bookstore on April 6th, during regular business hours. You must pay the graduation fee online or at the Cashier's Office before you go to the bookstore. Students wishing to have regalia shipped can call the bookstore at 620-235-4875 to place an order. The shipping fee will be $8.99. Please do not call to place an order prior to April 6th. Consult the Gown Sizing Chart prior to picking up Regalia.

PICK UP ACADEMIC DISTINCTION CORDING (Undergraduate), IF APPLICABLE

Undergraduate students who are graduating with the University Scholastic Honors Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude are designated by ribbons and medallions worn around the neck. University Scholastic Honors will be listed in the Commencement Program based on course work completed prior to the graduate's final semester.

Undergraduate students who have participated in the Academic Honors Program and who are graduating with Academic Honors are designated by gold cording worn around the neck.

Graduates who qualify will be notified where to obtain their cording in the near future.

PICK UP NAME CARD & GUEST TICKETS, IF APPLICABLE

Pick up is available from the Registrar's Office until noon on Friday, May 12th.

BE PREPARED TO ARRIVE FOR COMMENCEMENT 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO CEREMONY

Graduates and ticketed guests must check-in together at the Plaster Center no more than 15 minutes prior to their ceremony. Please watch for signage as you approach the Plaster Center entrance. Before reaching check-in, please have your name card in hand and tickets distributed to guests.

CHECK OUT THE OTHER COMMENCEMENT LINKS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH GRADUATION DAY

Location: Robert W. Plaster Center/Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building
1701 S. Homer Street
Pittsburg, KS 66762

Map of Campus

Map of Commencement Parking

On-campus parking is available north of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. No parking permit is needed. Parking is also available at the College of Technology and you may use the hike/bike trail to get to the Robert W. Plaster Center. Parking spots on the far north lot of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts are reserved for handicap parking.

Your Graduation Day - Agenda

Name Cards and Ticketed Guests

Graduates and ticketed guests must check-in together at the Plaster Center no more than 15 minutes prior to their ceremony.

Graduates will be expected to have their name cards with them when they arrive for check-in. Ticketed guests must also have their tickets in advance. Tickets are required for all guests who will be walking in the Processional with the graduate. (No more than six guests will be allowed in the Processional. Children and infants will be included in the Processional guest count. Additional guests can attend and will be seated in the Arena.)

Regalia

Properly-worn Regalia is required to participate in Commencement. (GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES ONLY: Graduates will be hooded during the ceremony. You should receive your hood with your cap and gown. You will carry the hood over your right arm and be hooded as you cross the stage.)

Processional

Please be wearing your regalia when you arrive. Processional begins promptly at the scheduled time of each ceremony.

The graduates and their guests joining the Processional will be in constant movement. From the beginning of the Processional to the student crossing the stage, there is a significant amount of standing/walking. No seating is available to guests in the Processional. It is recommended that guests with mobility concerns observe the ceremony seated comfortably in the Arena.

Faculty Marshals will escort students and ticketed guests to Arena. Ticketed guests will proceed to the stage with their graduate. Before the graduate crosses the stage, ticketed guests will be escorted to a viewing area. Only the graduate will be permitted to cross the stage. Upon leaving the stage, the graduate will rejoin their guests. Non-ticketed guests will be seated in the Arena for observing Commencement and will not participate in the Processional. However, non-ticketed guests will leave the Arena at the same time as the graduate. Childcare is not provided and children are not permitted to cross the stage with the graduate.

Diploma and Programs

Your diploma along, with two copies of the Commencement Program, will be mailed to you within a month of your graduation term, provided all graduation requirements have been met. If you attend commencement, you will be given an empty cover. If you do not attend commencement, your cover will be provided with your diploma and Commencement Programs.

Conclusion of Ceremony

Graduates and ALL guests will be directed to exit the Garfield W. Weede Building after the student crosses the stage.

Ring the Centennial Bell Tower

Graduates are invited to ring the Centennial Bell Tower before or after their ceremony. The Centennial Bell Tower will be open on Friday, May 12th from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m and Saturday, May 13th from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Photos at Commencement

A professional photographer will photograph each graduate three times, including on stage. Full color proofs will be provided directly to the graduate by e-mail. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone, or by mail. There is no obligation to purchase a photograph. The photographer's contact information: GradImages, 3490 Martin Hurst Rd., Tallahassee, FL, 32312, phone 800-261-2576, www.gradimages.com.

You and your family may preregister an email address and mailing address with GradImages and they will contact you or your family just as soon as your photos are available for online viewing and ordering. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in your accomplishment. Click on the link to preregister https://www.gradimages.com/index.cfm?action=main.preregistration.

Live Stream Broadcast

PSU will webcast the commencement ceremonies via live stream at Pittstate.tv to accommodate additional family and friends not able to attend in person. The webcast will start shortly before each ceremony. An archived copy of the ceremonies will be available online at Pittstate.tv - simply select the video on demand option. Questions should be directed to University Marketing and Communication at 620-235-4122 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Personal Belongings

Please leave personal items at home. Each ceremony will go quickly and there is no place to store personal items. Cell phones should be turned off during the program.

Each graduate will be issued up to six tickets for guests to participate in the Processional. Additional, non-ticketed guests are welcome and will be seated in the Arena for observing Commencement. No seating will be available for guests included in the Processional. It is recommended that guests with mobility concerns observe the ceremony seated comfortably in the Arena. Carefully consider your guests to include in the Processional.

Graduates are required to register for their name card and order guest tickets, if needed, in advance. Registration and ticket requests must be submitted by Wednesday, May 10th.

Registration and ticket requests can be submitted beginning on March 6th at:
https://pittsburgstate.formstack.com/forms/commencement

Please note: All guests participating in the Processional, including children, will be required to have a ticket. No more than 6 guests can be included in the Processional with the graduate. Additional non-ticketed guests may observe Commencement seated in the Arena. All guests must check-in with the graduate 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. Graduates will be expected to have their name card with them and guests participating in the Processional must have their tickets at the time of check-in. This will help us ensure a quick check-in process.

Check-in will open 15 minutes prior to each ceremony. Graduates and their guests must check-in together. Please enter the Robert W. Plaster Center from the southeast side (breezeway facing Plaster Center parking lot) and follow appropriate signage.

Live Stream Broadcast

PSU will webcast the commencement ceremonies via live stream at Pittstate.tv to accommodate additional family and friends not able to attend in person. The webcast will start shortly before each ceremony. An archived copy of the ceremonies will be available online at Pittstate.tv - simply select the video on demand option. Questions should be directed to University Marketing and Communication at 620-235-4122 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Handicapped Accommodation

Handicapped parking permits may be obtained prior to Commencement from the Registrar's Office, Room 103, Russ Hall. Graduating students in wheelchairs or who need special accommodations at Commencement should contact the Registrar's Office at 620-235-4206. Handicapped parking will be available on the far north lot of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. Handicapped seating will be available in the Arena for observing Commencement.

Safety Preparedness for Commencement Exercises

Your safety is of our utmost importance. Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the building and the exits. Should an emergency arise, please listen for announcements to safely direct your actions.

Looking for a hotel or restaurant in the area?  Visit our Visitors Bureau at https://www.visitcrawfordcounty.com

You may contact the Crawford County Visitors Bureau with any additional questions at:

Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1115 • 117 West 4th Street
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762

(620) 231-1212 • (800) 879-1112 • Fax: (620) 231-3178
cvb@pittsburgkschamber.com • visitcrawfordcounty.com

Career Assistance 

The Office of Career Development offers assistance to alumni who are job seeking. Whether you are updating your resume, preparing for interviews, or searching for job opportunities, the Career Development staff are here for you. The Career Resource Center is located in 202 Horace Mann and is open 8:00 am - 4:30 pm on Monday through Friday. All our services are available to alumni FREE of charge, with the exception of a $50 fee if you choose to utilize the PSU Career Development Online database.

Diplomas

Your diploma will be mailed to you without a cover approximately one month after verification that you have met all requirements for your degree. If you did not walk at commencement, a cover will be mailed along with your diploma once the same verification process has transpired. Two commencement programs will also be mailed with your diploma. 

IT Information

As a student at PSU, you receive access to many IT resources. Upon graduation, or leaving the University, most of those resources will no longer be applicable to you because you will no longer be an "active" PSU student. Click here at https://www.pittstate.edu/it/grad-it-info for the details on what you will retain access to as well as what resources will be discontinued and when. As always, please contact the Gorilla Geeks if you have questions: geeks@pittstate.edu/620-235-4600/109 Whitesitt Hall.

Gorilla Diploma Mats

The Senior Gift Council has for sale a customized mat designed for framing diplomas, using the Pittsburg State University gorilla logo. It is available unframed or framed. Proceeds from the sales benefit the Senior Gift Program. Make the gorilla diploma mat a part of your graduation celebration and proudly display your diploma. Contact the Office of Development at 620-235-4768 or toll free at 888-448-2778 to place your order.

Staying in Touch

The Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations is the place to keep in touch with PSU, update your contact information, and get involved after you graduate. It is important that we maintain a current address for you. All alumni and friends of PSU are invited to be active participants in all our programming and services. We offer programs such as alumni and service awards, travel, the online community and directory, the Gorilla License Plate program, PSU Visa Card, reunions, homecoming activities, events across the nations, and much more. 

Stay connected with PSU by joining us for a Gorilla Gathering alumni event in your area when you get an invitation, find your classmates by using The Jungle online directory, or make sure to call us to keep us updated on your contact information.  For more information about any of our programming, please call 877-PSU-ALUM or 620-235-4758, email alumni@pittstate.edu or visit our website at www.pittstate.edu/alumni.         

Transcripts

As you pursue your career opportunities, we will assist you with providing official Pittsburg State transcripts.  Please see our transcript request web page for more details.
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/registrar/transcripts.dot

Future Commencement Dates

Fall 2023 - To be determined

Spring 2024 - To be determined

Fall 2024 - To be determined

Spring 2025 - To be determined