May 2024 Commencement

Updated: April 25, 2024.

1. Friday, May 10: MANDATORY PRACTICE

• White Concert Hall, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

2. Saturday, May 11: COMMENCEMENT at 5:00 p.m. at White Concert Hall, 1700 Jewell Ave.

• 3:00 p.m.: Legacy Photos taken in the Library Reading Room (for students with family that have graduated from Washburn Law.)
• 3:45 p.m.: Students arrive to robe at the Law School.
• 4:00 p.m.: ROADS CLOSED leading to Robert J. Dole Hall (see parking below).
• 4:15 p.m.: Students line up for procession in the hallway in front of Room 150. Marshals will assist.
• 4:30 p.m.: Procession leaves the law school.
• 5:00 p.m.: Ceremony begins. It is expected to last around one and a half hours.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Reception in the student commons area of the Law School.

3. Other graduation details

• No registration is required for guests and there is no limit on the number of guests for graduation.
• The ceremony will be live-streamed for guests who are unable to attend the ceremony. The stream should begin at 5:00 p.m. The livestream can be found on the Washburn University's YouTube channel for live events: youtube.com/@WashburnVideo/streams
• Parking: Encourage family to park at White Concert Hall rather than at Washburn Law. 
  • At 3:45 p.m., Durrow Ave and Washburn Terr will be blocked from traffic. For students and faculty arriving after 3:45, go into the Petro parking and come south past the KBI building and you should be able to get through.
  • At 4:00, Durrow Ave, Mulvane and College streets will be blocked off for the School of Law procession. 
  • At 4:00, nearby parking lots (12, 3, 5, 13, and 16) will be blocked until after the procession passes. See the map for more information. 
• Pictures during the Procession: The path of the procession will go beside the central greens area and in front of Morgan Hall. We encourage family members that would like to take pictures to do so in those areas which are closer to White Concert Hall and easier to make your way there before the graduates arrive and process into the building.
• Pictures during Commencement: During the ceremony, the University has three photographers taking the following pictures:
  • being hooded
  • receiving your diploma from the Dean, and
  • walking across the stage

• Footwear: For those wearing heels, consider wearing low heels/flats for the procession from the Law School to Morgan Hall, where there will be a brief pause. You may have someone meet you there at 4:45 to exchange shoes. The procession from the School of Law to White Concert Hall will be about 22 minutes, part of it uphill.

4. Commencement Celebration Honoring the May 2024 Graduates (AFTER commencement)

• Saturday, May 11, 2024, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Robert J. Dole Hall.
• By April 16, please RSVP via the Graduate Information Questionaire (limited to 10 guests for the celebration per graduate).

Steps for a Successful May Graduation

1. Before OCTOBER 31, 2023: turn in your Application for Degree (15 KB PDF)

2. Before Febraury 28: Photos for Class of 2024 Graduate Composite

• Composite includes December 2023, May, June, and August 2024 Graduates
• Sign up for a photo session appointment with Wichers Photography: (785) 271-5355.
• There is a session fee of $30.00 plus tax due at your appointment.
• Wichers provides regalia for the photo session.
• Wichers' fee includes an 11" x 14" print of the composite.
• Won't be in Topeka to have your photo taken before the deadline? You may submit a photo taken by another photographer. More information at Guidelines to Submit Photo for Graduate Composite.

3. Order Graduation Announcements (optional) online at cbgrad.com

4. March 7: Order Regalia from the Ichabod Shop

• Order at the Graduation Fair on March 7, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.
• Diploma frames are available at a discounted price during the Graduation Fair.
• Or order the regalia online at the Ichabod Shop website.
• You may order online or at the bookstore NOW.
• You can pick up regalia in the Ichabod Bookstore, use SmartLocker pick-up, or have it shipped directly to you (standard shipping charges will apply). For questions, call (785) 670-1049.
• Please make sure you have all your pieces when you receive your regalia!
• The cost to purchase a full set of regalia is $119.99 plus tax (subject to change).
• After May 1, you are not guaranteed to receive your regalia in time!
• If there are problems with the regalia, you may do an exchange if it is in good condition—May 6, 2024, deadline.
• For regalia questions, email ichabodshop@washburn.edu.

5. Before April 12: Complete the Graduate Information Questionnaire (graduation requirement)

• A link to the questionaire will be emailed to you from Kerrie Bacon, Graduation Coordinator, but you can access the questionaire here as well.
• This questionaire MUST be completed even if you do not intend to walk at the graduation ceremony. It is a requirement for graduation.

6. Before April 12: Contact Kerrie Bacon if you need to pick up cords.

• Cords will be allowed for honorably discharged military veterans or active servicemembers, Washburn Law Journal, Latin Honors, and Advocacy Teams. Stoles will be allowed for members of law student organizations. Members should contact their organization leadership for more information.
• See the Stoles and Cords policy.
• Contact Kerrie Bacon at (785) 670-1662 kerrie.bacon@washburn.edu.

7. Before April 19: Schedule Your Next Step Meeting With Professional Development Office (PDO)

• Receive a small graduation gift from PDO.
• Schedule your appointment through Symplicity.

8. Before May 9: Pre-Register for Grad Images Photos (Optional)

• Individual photos will be taken of each graduate 1) as hooding occurs, 2) as congratulations are extended by Dean Jackson, 3) and in front of the school banner.
• Pre-register to receive no-obligation commencement photo proofs and a 20% discount if you choose to purchase photos. Once the site opens, click on your upcoming graduation and register.
• Questions can be directed to gradimages.com/info or call (800) 628-4509.

Short URL for this page:
https://washburnlaw.edu/maycommencement