Washburn Tech celebrates our graduates at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Commencement exercises, as well as pinning ceremonies for our practical nursing graduates, are traditionally held in Lee Arena on the Washburn University campus.
- Spring Commencement: multiple ceremonies on May 11, 12 and 13 on the Washburn Tech campus (details below)
- Fall Commencement: December 16, 2021
Spring 2021 Commencement
All commencement ceremonies will be held the week of May 10 in the Lower Level Conference Center of Building A on the Washburn Tech campus at 5724 SW Huntoon St.
All morning sessions begin at 9:30; afternoon sessions begin at 1:30. Evening students (EMT, Information Systems Technology and Welding) are scheduled to participate in the one evening ceremony scheduled Wednesday, May 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The following schedule provides a detailed listing of ceremonies by program.
Graduates must wear cap and gown to participate. Caps and gowns may be obtained at no charge to the student from the Ichabod Shop, Tech bookstore, between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Graduates must present a photo ID, either a driver’s license or a Washburn ID.
The bookstore has a supply of caps and gowns in common sizes. For students outside that range, the appropriate size will be ordered. Students will be notified when their regalia is available through an e-mail to their Washburn.edu address.
Students are scheduled to participate in a ceremony on a day they routinely attend. An effort was made to spread graduates across the sessions to ensure adequate social distancing. Masks are required for all graduates, guests and employees. For consistency, Washburn Tech masks will be provided to graduates the day of the ceremonies. Each ceremony will run approximately one hour.
Also attending the evening ceremony will be students who graduated during 2020 for whom there was no ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Day of Graduation:
Students will meet in the Upper Level Conference Center to line up alphabetically and receive an “announcement card” with their name and Washburn Tech honors. Students must report 40 minutes prior to the designated start times. Students must bring their cap and gown to campus that day. Mirrors will be temporarily installed in the Upper Level Conference Center for students to check their appearance!
Guests:
Each graduate may invite two (2) guests. As guests enter campus, signage will direct them to park in the center parking lot north of the Conference Center. Guests must enter the northeast doorway into Building A and stop at a check-in table. Washburn Tech staff will greet guests and provide a ticket that allows access to the Lower Level Conference Center. Tickets for each session will be a different color in an effort to ensure the two guest limit.
Instructor Participation:
Instructors are welcome to attend the ceremony with their graduates if they can break away from their classrooms or have another instructor provide coverage. Instructors do not need to wear graduation gowns.
Photos:
A professional photographer will capture the special moments. Shortly after the week of ceremonies, photos will be electronically available to students at no charge.
Live-Streaming:
All commencement ceremonies will be live-streamed and utilize the services of interpreters. Use the links below to watch the ceremony that includes your graduate.
Tuesday, May 11:
Wednesday, May 12:
- Morning Ceremony 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. (CST)
- Afternoon Ceremony 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (CST)
- Evening Ceremony 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Thursday, May 13:
Accomodations:
Accommodations are available for guests and students who participate in the Washburn Tech commencement ceremonies. To request accommodations, please contact Shelley Bearman, campus advocate, by calling 785.670.3364 or via e-mail at shelley.bearman@washburn.edu. Submit your request to Ms. Bearman two weeks in advance of the ceremony to allow sufficient time for appropriate arrangements.
Forms & Information
Find the forms and information you need to prepare for your walk across the stage! You also can check with the Main Office at Washburn Tech to make sure you have everything in order.
Graduate Gallery
Professional photographer Scott Stormann, who also is a Washburn Tech graduate, takes individual photographs of our graduates at each commencement. The photos are posted to a gallery approximately two weeks after graduation. It is another way to help our graduates celebrate their accomplishments!
Stay Connected
Stay connected to Washburn Tech and the campus community! We value our alumni and are committed to keeping the bond strong. Once you graduate from a Washburn Tech program, you will receive a one-year complimentary membership to the Washburn Alumni Association. Numerous benefits accompany that membership including:
- Engage with alumni through free or discounted events like After Hours, tailgates and Wake Up With Washburn.
- Take advantage of hundreds of discounts to local and national businesses.
- Support the Alumni Association scholarship fund with your dues.
- Travel around the globe on our popular trips offered three times a year. These trips often sell out and are only available for members.
Watch Commencement
Watch the most recent Washburn Tech graduation ceremony or explore the commencement archive for spring and fall graduates.
