Commencement
Checklist:
Monday, March 9th: Application/petition/registration for graduation opens
Application/petition is required for all students.
Graduation fee is required for anyone receiving a graduate degree.
There will be extra fees associated with overseas mailing of your diploma (graduate and undergraduate students).
All students planning to attend commencement must RSVP as part of the application/petition process.
Monday, April 6th: Deadline for graduation registration - application closes
Tuesday, April 7th: Regalia distribution begins
Students can begin picking up regalia in the bookstore on April 7th, during regular business hours. Consult the Gown Sizing Chart prior to picking up regalia.
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 coursework completed prior to the graduates final semester. Students receiving University Scholastic Honors will be notified about picking up their medallion by Academic Affairs
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. Students receiving Academic Honors will be notified about picking up their cording by Academic Affairs.
Graduate students who qualify for the honors distinction will receive a double gold cord with their regalia.
Graduating student athletes interested in being considered for a student athlete graduation stole should direct graduation questions to Kelly Burnley Miller by email at kbmiller@pittstate.edu.
Students interested in ordering graduation announcements and designing class rings can visit https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1070504/Pittsburg-State-University/ to see available options.
Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th: Commencement ceremonies occur
What to Expect
- You are the focus. To provide a better experience for our graduates, we will be returning to a more traditional order of events where only our graduates will participate in the processional.
- Your faculty will be there to support you. Faculty from your field of study will share your experience and be there afterward to congratulate you.
- You'll celebrate graduation with your classmates. You will gather together in the Robert W. Plaster Center, walk to John Lance Arena together, toss your caps together at the end (if you want), take photos afterward, and then head out to mark the occasion with friends and family!
Dates and Times
Friday, May 15, 2026
- 4:00 p.m. - Kelce College of Business
- 6:30 p.m. - College of Arts & Sciences
Saturday, May 16, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. - Crossland College of Technology
- 11:30 a.m. - College of Education
Each ceremony includes both undergraduate and graduate degree candidates.
All graduates and guests will arrive at the Robert W. Plaster Center. Graduates will proceed to the Plaster Center to prepare for the processional. Guests will be directed to the Arena for seating.
Location: Robert W. Plaster Center/Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building 1701 S. Homer St. Pittsburg, KS 66762
Additional Information
Maps and Parking
Location: Robert W. Plaster Center/Garfield W. Weede Physical Education Building
1701 S. Homer St.
Pittsburg, KS 66762
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. Parking spots on the far north side of the Bicknell Center lot are reserved for handicap parking.
Your Graduation Day - Agenda
| Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes prior to ceremony start time | Robert W. Plaster Center | Graduates check-in to the Plaster Center, pick up their name card and prepare for the processional. Guests are directed to seating in the Arena. |
| Start of ceremony | Robert W. Plaster Center/John Lance Arena | Opening remarks and introduction of Stage Party. |
| 5 minutes into ceremony | John Lance Arena | Processional to Arena begins - Graduates enter the Arena led by Faculty Marshals and are seated. |
| 15 minutes into ceremony | John Lance Arena | Congratulatory messages from the Stage Party. |
| 30 minutes into ceremony | John Lance Arena | Graduates make their way to the stage to receive their diplomas. |
| 60 minutes into ceremony | John Lance Arena | Conferring of degrees. Ceremony concludes. |
Name Cards and Guests
Graduates should arrive at the Plaster Center no earlier than 45 minutes (but at least 10 minutes prior) to their assigned ceremony. Graduates will check-in at the Plaster Center to pick up their name card. Graduates can assist those who will be announcing their name by writing the phonetic spelling on the card if the name is difficult to pronounce. (Pens will be available at check in.) The name card will be handed to the announcer by the graduate just prior to entering the stage.
Guests should also arrive at the Plaster Center no earlier than 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and will be directed to the Arena for seating.
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
Graduates will check-in at the Plaster Center, pick up their name card and line up for the processional. Guests will be seated in the Arena
Faculty Marshals will escort students from the Plaster Center to the Arena and will lead the graduates to their seats.
Please note that childcare is not provided and children are not permitted to cross the stage with the graduate. In addition, personal items should be left with family and friends as storage is not available in the Plaster Center.
Diploma and Programs
Your diploma will be mailed to you within four to six weeks of your graduation term, provided all graduation requirements have been met. If you attend commencement, you will be given an empty cover. Programs will be provided to students who attend commencement. Graduates should leave the program on their seat as they proceed to the stage to receive their diploma cover. Digital programs are also available to all students and guests.
You will receive an email/text from Parchment when your diploma is being processed. You should immediately set up a Parchment account from the provided link if you don't already have one. You will have 72 hours to validate/update your diploma mailing address from your Parchment account. You will also have access to your digital diploma from this account.
Conclusion of Ceremony
Graduates and guests are asked to depart from the Arena shortly after the conclusion of their ceremony so that staff may prepare for the arrival of graduates and guests for the next ceremony.
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 15th from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday, May 16th from 8 a.m. – 6 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
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
Pitt State live streams commencement ceremonies to accommodate additional family and friends not able to attend in person. The stream starts shortly before each ceremony. Streaming links will be provided at a later date.
An archived copy of the ceremonies will be available online at Pittstate.tv. Questions should be directed to Creative & Strategic 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.
Family and Guest Activities
All guests are welcome and will be seated in the Arena for the ceremony.
Please note that large crowds are expected. Some guests may prefer to view the livestream broadcast from the comfort of their homes.
Live Stream Broadcast
PSU will webcast the commencement ceremonies via live stream at pittstate.edu/watch 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.edu/watch - simply select the video on demand option. Questions should be directed to Creative And Strategic Communications at 620-235-6177 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Commencement Programs
- 2025 Fall
- 2025 Spring
- 2024 Fall
- 2024 Spring
- 2023 Fall
- 2023 Spring
- 2022 Fall
Accommodations for Special Needs
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.
Handicap seating is available in the Arena for guests.
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.
Area Lodging and Restaurants
Looking for a hotel, restaurant, or something to do in the area while you are here? Visit www.ExploreCrawfordCounty.com
Visit our local Travel Information Center:
117 West 4th Street
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
Beyond Graduation and Diploma Information
Career Assistance
The Office of Career Development assists 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 Development office is located on the first floor of the Axe Library 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.
Digital Diploma (and a mailed one too!)
Pittsburg State has teamed with Parchment to offer an official digital version of your diploma.
You will receive an email/text from Parchment when your diploma is being processed. You should immediately set up a Parchment account from the provided link if you don't already have one. You will have 72 hours to validate/update your diploma mailing address from your Parchment account. You will also have access to your digital diploma from this account.
Questions about diplomas? Email registrar@pittstate.edu
Questions about the diploma once you have received it? Email congratulations@parchment.com
Paper diplomas will be mailed approximately 4-6 weeks after the conclusion of the semester you graduate.
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
Or you may choose a customized diploma and certificate frame from Herff Jones - Framing Success. They fund one tree planting for every frame purchased. Trees are planted by Trees for the Future for the benefit of the communities they serve. Order online: www.framingsuccess.com and they will ship to your address, or purchase a frame at the PSU Gorilla Bookstore on campus to save the shipping fee.
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
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.
Future Commencement Dates
Fall 2026*
Friday, December 11th
*Times to be determined
Information for Faculty and Staff
To wish graduates well, Faculty and Staff are encouraged to attend Commencement and participate in the processional.
- Faculty/staff participating in the processional should enter through the Weede/Plaster Center Breezeway and go directly to 110 Weede to assemble. (Parking will be available in the Plaster Center lot and will NOT require a permit.)
- Faculty/staff should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time for Commencement and should expect to be lined up approximately 5 minutes prior to the ceremony.
- Faculty and staff will enter the arena prior to the graduates and immediately be seated on the Arena floor where they will remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, faculty and staff will line up to congratulate graduates as they exit their seats.
- Faculty/staff participating in the processional are required to wear regalia. For those who do not have regalia, the Registrar's Office does have a small quantity of basic regalia that can be loaned out.