• We are excited to welcome you to campus to celebrate your graduate's commencement!

    ATTENDANCE

    Due to the expected number of guests, reserved seating is not available and tickets are required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Guests who cannot attend in person can watch the ceremony via a livestream on our website.听

    CEREMONY LENGTH

    The ceremony will last approximately one hour. Following the ceremony, graduates will be led outdoors where they can meet with their guests. Please make appropriate arrangements.

    Travel info

    Airports

    • (regional airport located 30 miles from Waldorf's campus)

    Area Lodging

  • There will be a mandatory practice session at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Boman Fine Arts Center for all graduates participating in Commencement and Master Hooding Ceremonies. Bring your cap and gown for the formal class picture.听If you cannot make it, please email registrar@waldorf.edu to inform them you will not be able to attend.

  • Ordering: Graduation caps and gowns were ordered when you completed your graduation application.

    Residential Student Pick Up: 

    • April 22 - May 1
      • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
      • Voss Hall 鈥 Registrar鈥檚 Office 
    • May 2
      • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
      • Voss Hall 鈥 Registrar鈥檚 Office 
    • May 2
      • 2-4:45 p.m.
      • Boman Fine Arts Center
    • May 3
      • 8-9 a.m. and 12-1 p.m.
      • Boman Fine Arts Center

    Online Student Pick Up: 

    • May 2
      • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
      • Voss Hall 鈥 Registrar鈥檚 Office 
    • May 2
      • 2-4:45 p.m.
      • Boman Fine Arts Center
    • May 3
      • 8-9 a.m. and 12-1 p.m.
      • Boman Fine Arts Center

    Instructions: We recommend trying your gown on and hanging it up before the day. Undergraduates should wear their tassels on the right side, and graduate students should wear their tassels on the left side before the ceremony. Graduates will then be instructed to move their tassel to the opposite side to indicate that the wearer has passed from one level of learning to another. Students are allowed to decorate their caps if they so choose.

  • Guests鈥擠oors will open one hour before each ceremony. The morning ceremony will start promptly at 10 a.m., and the afternoon ceremony will start promptly at 2 p.m. Please use the main entrance on the west side of the building. 

    Graduates, Faculty, and Administration鈥擳he Line-up begins 45 minutes before each ceremony in the Hanson Fieldhouse; please arrive wearing your regalia. Graduates should not bring purses or other valuables; there is no secure storage during the ceremony. We recommend having family or friends keep all valuables during the ceremony. 

    Board of Trustees鈥擸ou will have special reserved seating. Please arrive anytime after 9 a.m. using the main entrance on the west side of the Boman Fine Arts Center. Check-in at the table in the lobby, and the volunteer there will provide instructions on where to report.

    • Commencement Ceremonies will be held at the Boman Fine Arts Center on Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
    • Line-up begins at 9:15 a.m. for the Morning Ceremony and 1:15 p.m. for the Afternoon Ceremony. 
    • The line-up will take place at the Hanson Fieldhouse. Volunteers will be there to direct you to your destination. 
    • Step-off will take place at 9:45 a.m. for the Morning Ceremony and 1:45 p.m. for the Afternoon Ceremony.
    • At the time of the processional, graduates will depart from the Hanson Fieldhouse and walk to the Boman Fine Arts Center. 

    Bring your cap and gown to the gym.  You may dress there or arrive fully dressed in your cap and gown. Please arrive on time as our photographers and Marketing Department will take Commencement pictures. You will process in an organized order by your degree program (A.A., B.A., B.A.S., B.A., and master's degrees) and be directed to your seats by the Faculty Marshals.

  • Tickets鈥擥raduates are allowed a maximum of 4 tickets per person. Guest tickets are required for the ceremony; Graduates will pick up their Commencement Ceremony ticket packets with their gowns. People who need special seating arrangements (disabled/elderly) should email registrar@waldorf.edu before the ceremony.听

    Seating鈥擲eating for guests in the Boman Fine Arts Center auditorium is limited, so please advise your guests to arrive 45 minutes before the ceremony or earlier. Early arrival ensures a better chance of finding a good parking spot and the best seat for the ceremony. The Boman Fine Arts Center is handicap accessible, and special seating will be offered for those in wheelchairs.听Waldorf University Usher Staff will assist family and guests. Overflow seating will be available in the Boman Fine Arts Center Mezzanine on the second floor. Elevator Service is available for those who need it. The Commencement Ceremony will be 鈥渓ive-streamed鈥 into the Mezzanine and available on the web.听

  • FREE parking is available on the street and in the parking lots next to the Boman Fine Arts Center and Hanson Fieldhouse.听

    Handicap parking is in the first rows nearest the front doors. Several seating locations accommodate different needs; please see a staff member for assistance.

  • At Commencement, the left front area facing the stage is available for photographers. Please advise family and friends who plan to take pictures from that location to be as quiet, considerate, and brief as possible. Our professional photographers will also take pictures as you receive your diploma from President Alsop.

  • All diplomas will be mailed out a few weeks after commencement, once acccount balances have been taken care of.

  • Please contact the registrar's office at registrar@waldorf.edu to听make alternative arrangements.

  • 罢丑别听 will be open to help you find that special graduation gift. Call 641.585.8159 for special orders!

    Order .

    Don't forget, you can purchase in person at the Bookstore or online.

  • Graduates and their families are invited to dine in the dining hall. Students on a meal plan are encouraged to use their student IDs. Cash is accepted at the door. Please visit the Dining Hall to purchase your tickets or just come on over.听

    Friday, May 2:

    • BREAKFAST 鈥 7-8:30 a.m. (ages 12+ are $7, ages 6-11 are $4, ages 0-5 are free)
    • LUNCH 鈥 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (ages 12+ are $7, ages 6-11 are $4, ages 0-5 are free)
    • DINNER 鈥 5-7 p.m.(ages 12+ are $7, ages 6-11 are $4, ages 0-5 are free)

    Saturday, May 3:

    • BRUNCH鈥11 a.m.-1 p.m.(ages 12+ are $7, ages 6-11 are $4, ages 0-5 are free)

    Other Options:
    In Forest City, there are other food options available within a 5-minute or less driving distance.

    • Subway (Limited Dine-In or Take-Away)
    • Ay Jalisco (Dine-In or Take-Away)
    • Golden Chopsticks (Dine-In or Take-Away)
    • Shooterz (Dine-In or Take-Away)
    • A&W (Dine-In or Drive-Thru)
    • Daily Grind (Dine-In or Drive-Thru)
    • Cabin Coffee Co. (Limited Dine-In and Take-Away)
    • Hy-Vee Deli (Dine-In and Take-Away)
    • Taco Jerry鈥檚/Borderline Pizza (Dine-In or Take-Away).

  • Medical/Emergency needs 鈥 see a staff member.

    Since final grades are not yet calculated, you will receive only a degree cover during Commencement. Your class will be the third official graduating class to receive the official e-diploma and your official degree parchment. Waldorf University is one of three institutions in Iowa utilizing e-diplomas alongside official degree parchment diplomas. The e-diplomas will be emailed to you once you have completed your degree program. Your official degree parchment will follow in about 14 business days after completing your final audit. Your degree credentials will be mailed to the address on file unless you have notified the Office of the University Registrar otherwise. The e-diploma can be downloaded for use on any social media platforms. It is blue ribbon certified by a third party, ensuring its authenticity. This continues to be an exciting new adventure for Waldorf graduates in 2025.听

    Transcripts鈥揑f you need a final transcript of your credits sent to any college/university or employer, you may visit the Waldorf University website to submit a request online. Reminder:听 Your diploma and transcript cannot be released until all balances are current with the University Business Office and all loan exit interviews have been completed.

    Questions?听All questions or concerns should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar via email at registrar@waldorf.edu or by phone at 641.585.8686 or 800.292.1903 ext. 8696.

    听