Family & Guest Information
General Information
- The Commencement ceremony lasts approximately three and a half hours and is held outdoors on Hearn Plaza. Temperatures in May can vary widely, so check the local weather forecast.
- Arrive early. Due to security measures, there may be lines to enter Hearn Plaza. Please limit the number of items you bring; a clear bag policy will be in place.
- Restrooms will be available in Reynolda Hall and Wait Chapel. Executive portable restrooms will also be available. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at Zick’s restaurant.
- During the ceremony, the center aisle and the platform will be closed to all except those in the processional. Please observe the rope barricades.
- You may wish to bring a bottle of water or other drink with you. There are water bottle refill stations available, so you can replenish if needed.
- You can purchase drinks on the Quad, but they will be cash sales only (no credit/debit card).
- Bring some paper towels or a washcloth from home to wipe off your chairs at Commencement. While the staff tries to go through and wipe the dew off the chairs, they are not always able to get to all 13,000 chairs before guests arrive.
- Purchases available on the Quad: there will be complimentary water, and food and drink for purchase (cash only, it will be things like chips, muffins, half dozen boxes of donuts, energy bars, coffee) as well as small gifts for purchase (card only, it will be things like t-shirts with graduates’ names printed on the back, teddy bears, flower leis and kukui nut leis).
Parking and Arrival Information
We’ve provided parking and arrival information for our guests. This information may change before the event, so please be sure to check back before you arrive on campus to make sure you’re familiar with any policies and guidelines we’ve made updates to.
For those who need accessibility support or accommodations, please review the accessibility information page for details.
Please pay attention to the Winston-Salem weather forecast for Commencement weekend so you can pack for the appropriate weather. Here are some other tips:
- There is no formal dress code. You will see a wide variety of attire, from suits and ties and dressy spring suits for women, to sundresses and golf shirts and slacks. People tend to err on the more dressy side – think of things you might wear to a worship service or a nice dinner out.
- Layering is critical. It could be cool in the morning, and much of where you sit is full sun – so nice to have the option of adding or subtracting a sweater or jacket as needed. Men, give yourself permission to take off your jacket and loosen your tie (or not wear a tie) if it gets warm.
- For Monday’s Commencement ceremony, we will be outside for three and a half hours, and while there are some trees, most of the Quad will be sunny. Bring sunscreen and/or a hat.
- You will be walking in grass during Commencement. High heels can sink into the ground, which will be wet with dew, and can be muddy. Consider that as you plan your shoe choices.
- Be aware of the comfort of your family members, particularly the elderly and young children. Be sure they stay hydrated and do not get overheated.
- You may wish to bring a bottle of water or other drink with you. There are water bottle refill stations, so you can replenish if needed.
- You can purchase drinks on the Quad, but they will be cash sales only (no credit/debit card).
- As part of Wake Forest’s security measures, a clear bag policy is in effect.
- Not bringing a bag will expedite your entrance into Commencement events. If you plan to bring a bag, please factor in time for bag checks as you travel to campus for Commencement weekend events.
- Clear bags brought into Baccalaureate, the graduate and professional school hooding and commencement ceremonies, the honors & awards ceremony and/or the University Commencement on Monday will be checked.
- Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 – bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance for the graduate and professional school hooding and commencement ceremonies.
- Sunday, May 19 – bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance for the 11 a.m. Baccalaureate service, the honors & awards ceremony and the graduate and professional school hooding and commencement ceremonies that take place later in the day.
- Monday, May 20 – bag checks will be conducted at all entrances to Hearn Plaza. The checks will begin at 6 a.m. University Commencement is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
- Note: bag checks would be conducted at the LJVM Coliseum if the University were to implement the Commencement rain plan and move University Commencement on Monday to the coliseum.
- Air Horns
- Alcohol
- Coolers
- Mace/Pepper Spray
- Oversized bags (please see the clear bag policy)
- Pets
- Pocket knives, firearms, or weapons of any kind
- Signs of any kind, including signs on sticks, flags and fatheads
- Tripods
- Umbrellas
- Wrapped Gifts (gift bags are allowed)
- WFU Commencement Staff reserves the right to remove any item that impedes guests’ views and/or experience
Conduct and disruptions: The University shared guidelines that apply to all Commencement weekend attendees.
- During the ceremony, the center aisle and the platform will be closed to all except those in the processional. Please observe the rope barricades.
- Executive restrooms will be available in the parking lot mid-Quad by the arch. Limited restrooms will also be available in Reynolda and Wait Chapel. On Monday, accessible restrooms will be available in Zicks on the east side of Hearn Plaza.
- Note that Wait Chapel will be available on May 20th for indoor viewing of the Commencement ceremony via livestream, with closed-captioning, for guests who prefer to be out of the sun.
- A photographer with Photo Specialties will photograph undergraduates during the University Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 20. Graduates receiving BA and BS degrees will be photographed on stage. Photo Specialties will send free color proofs and ordering instructions to each graduate’s email.
Visit our Photography page for more details.
To-Do Checklist
Make hotel reservations
Contact information for preferred hotels can be found on the Wake Forest University About site. When you contact a hotel, let the hotel associate know that you will be attending the Wake Forest graduation. Many hotels have set aside a block of rooms for graduation guests.
Ensure your student has reserved their tickets
Discuss Commencement Weekend ticket needs with your graduate and other family members and determine the final number of tickets you will need prior to your graduate registering for tickets.
Online ticket registration will open in early March.
Each graduate will be able to register for their allotment of eight (8) guest tickets. This year students who do not need their full allotment can donate extra tickets, and students who would like additional tickets can request up to ten (10) additional tickets from the pool as they register. Any extra tickets will be allocated 30 days prior to Commencement. All tickets will be available for download on May 1st.
Make sure your graduate completes the Name Pronunciation form
All BA and BS degree recipients who will march in the May graduation exercises are asked to complete a voice recording of their name and fill out the name pronunciation form. This will ensure that your graduate’s name is pronounced correctly during the commencement ceremony.
The form should be submitted by April 15.