Please note that in order to be eligible to participate in commencement, degree-seeking students must fall under one of the following criteria:
- Students who are REGISTERED AND HAVE A DEGREE COMPLETION SEMESTER for one of the following terms: Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025
OR
- Students who are awarded a degree for the Fall 2024 Semester
To confirm your name and mailing address for your diploma as well as your planned graduation date, please submit an online graduation application, available through jwuLink for eligible graduates, indicating the semester you will complete your degree requirements.
Please note that participation in commencement does not mean that you have graduated. You must satisfy all graduation requirements before receiving a diploma.
2025 Charlotte commencement date & location
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Location: Bojangles Coliseum
Address: 2700 East Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 1:00 PM
Doors open at: 12:00 PM
Arrival time for students: 12:00 PM
The commencement ceremony lasts approximately 90-120 minutes.
For those that cannot attend, they may view the ceremony via the livestream link (Livestream link will be available in April).
Registration
Prior to commencement, we ask that you let us know your intentions on participating in commencement for planning purposes. Whether or not you plan on attending commencement, we ask that you fill out the CPS Commencement Registration form. The registration form takes less than five minutes to complete and will be made available in this space and on the in early January. An email will be sent out once the form is available, so please fill it out as soon as possible once you are notified.
Arrival Instructions
Please review this information carefully - it is given in place of a practice session. Your cooperation with and understanding of what is expected of you will guarantee a smooth, enjoyable ceremony for you, your family and guests.
Please note that tickets are NOT required for the ceremony.
All graduates, guests and attendees are expected to remain for the entire duration of the ceremony. Leaving early demonstrates extreme disrespect. End times are approximate; allow additional time for reservations and other plans.
Students
Before Arrival
- Review the order of exercises on the Class of 2025 program on the Charlotte Campus Commencement Program page. The 2025 program will be available in mid-April.
- Put on your Cap and Gown before arriving.
- Leave coats, valuables and other items with parents, friends or guests (you will not be able to store any personal belongings at Bojangles Coliseum).
- Do not bring any bags, purses or personal items that won't fit in your pocket. There is no way to secure them and you do NOT return to the line-up room after the ceremony.
- Balloons, flowers or wrapped gifts are not allowed in the coliseum. Bojangles security will not allow these items in the building.
- Use restroom facilities; you will not be permitted to leave your seats once the ceremony begins.
Upon Arrival
- Graduates' arrival time is 12:00 PM.
- Graduates enter via the Bridge. You will go through security so arrive in plenty of time for this.
- Once through security, proceed to
- Name Card Tables: Pick up your name card, which is alphabetized by last name.
- GradImages Table - To complete your information for your grad photos.
- Herff Jones Table - For assistance with your cap, gown or hood if needed.
- First Destination Career Survey Table - To complete survey.
- Enter the large conference room and locate your college banner.
Guests
- Doors open at 12:00 PM.
- All guests will go through security prior to entering.
- Balloons, flowers or wrapped gifts are not allowed in the coliseum. Bojangles security will not allow these items in the building.
- If you are bringing a bag or purse, it MUST meet the following coliseum guidelines:
- Approved bags: Any non-clear bags that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" in size, which is approximately the size if a handbag with or without a handle/strap, such as a small clutch purse. Clear bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12".
- Prohibited bags: any non-clear bag larger that 4.5" x 6.5" and clear bags larger than 12" x 6" x 12" are not allowed.
- All permitted items inside the venue are subject to search upon entry and at any point while on Bojangles Entertainment Complex property. Exceptions can be made upon request for medically necessary items. Please call Bojangles at 704-372-3600 to arrange for medical exceptions in advance.
Regalia
To order your cap & gown, you can place your order online on the Herff Jones reservation website. Herff Jones will ship your order to the address you prefer. The deadline to order online is March 15, 2025.
- 2025 associate's degree regalia (cap, gown, tassel) - $43
- 2025 bachelor's degree regalia (cap, gown, tassel and hood) - $75
Students' dress under their gowns should be professional with comfortable dress shoes, but should also take into account the weather. Stiletto heels may not be the best choice as you will be going up and down stairs in the building as well as on and off stage. Place tassels on the front, right side of your cap.
Academic Hoods
All graduating students except AS degree candidates will receive an academic hood. It will be provided with your cap & gown order.
Cords
A cord is a rope-like strand worn durnig graduation to represent an academic achievement, affiliation, or legacy.
The following stoles and cords will be distributed as noted below.
- Undergraduate grads with a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA as of the end of the fall semester will receive a Gold Cord when they pick up their cap and gown when you arrive for the ceremony on May 2.
- Undergraduate degree recipients with a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA as of the end of the fall semester will receive a Gold Cord. You will pick up your cord when you arrive for the ceremony on May 1.
- Undergraduate degree recipients who are veterans will receive a Red, White & Blue Cord to honor their military service. These will be distributed by the Veteran Coodinator.
Rings and Announcements
If interested, class rings and announcements are available for purchase from Herff Jones.
Ceremony Information
Seating
Graduates are not seated alphabetically; they are seated by college. Once seated, you and your guests may communicate via text message to determine your locations. Please do this once you are seated and not during the ceremony.
Attendance
All graduates, guests and attendees are expected to remain for the entire duration of the ceremony.
Leaving early demonstrates extreme disrespect. End times are approximate; allow additional time for reservations and other plans.
Conduct
The university makes every attempt to plan and conduct a meaningful dignified ceremony. The significance of this day, the recognition of your academic achievements, should be observed with respect. Disorderly conduct, rowdiness or the presence of alcohol or drugs will be grounds for immediate ejection, and may result in your diploma being retained by the university.
Name Cards
Name cards will be used to announce your name when you cross the commencement stage. Name cards are distributed when you check in for the ceremony on May 1. If necessary, to make sure your name is pronounced correctly, write clearly and directly on your card the best way to pronounce your name.
Your name will match what's listed on your Graduation Application, which you can view in jwuLink. If you prefer to use a different first name (other than your legal name) on your name card and/or in the commencement program, please submit the Graduation Name in Use form by April 4, 2025.
FAQs
Do I need to register to attend the commencement ceremony on May 1?
Prior to commencement, we ask that you let us know your intentions on participating in commencement for planning purposes. Whether or not you plan on attending commencement, we ask that you fill out the CPS Commencement Registration form. The registration form takes less than five minutes to complete and will be made available in this space and on the in early January. An email will be sent out once the form is available, so please fill it out as soon as possible once you are notified.
I cannot or do not want to attend commencement. Do I need to tell anyone? Will my name be printed in the commencement program?
It is helpful to know if you are not attending; however, notice is not required if you are not attending. When the Commencement Registration form is available, please be sure to complete it.
Your name will be printed in the program regardless of attendance, but it will not be announced since you will not be in attendance to cross the stage.
How do I submit or view my graduation application? What is it?
To submit your graduation application, visit the Graduation page in jwuLink and follow the instructions. The graduation application will allow you to specify and confirm your name and mailing address for your diploma, as well as your planned graduation date.
If I am not attending commencement, do I still need to complete exit counseling?
If this is your last semester at JWU and you have student loans, this is a requirement.
I'm finishing my associate degree now and continuing for a bachelor's degree. Do I have to attend commencement now or can I wait?
Each degree has its own separate graduation date. You have the option to attend commencement this year for your associate degree or you can wait to attend commencement in the year when you finish your bachelor’s degree. Or, you can attend both commencements. It’s your choice; your name will be printed in the program regardless of attendance at commencement.
How do I order my regalia?
You can place your order online on the Herff Jones reservation website. Please check back for the link to the website. Herff Jones will ship your order to the address you prefer. The deadline to order online is March 15, 2025.
- 2025 associate degree regalia (cap, gown, tassel) - $43
- 2025 bachelor's degree regalia (cap, gown, tassel and hood) - $75
How should I dress under my gown?
Wear professional attire with comfortable dress shoes. Stiletto heels may not be the best choice as you will be going up and down stairs in the building as well as on and off stage. Place tassels on the front, right side of your cap.
Do I receive my diploma at commencement?
Graduates receive a diploma cover only at commencement. Diplomas are printed and mailed after the degree verification process is complete, which ends approximately 6-8 business weeks after the end of each semester. Please contact Student Academic Services with any questions.
What's a name card?
Name cards will be used to announce your name when you cross the commencement stage. If necessary, to make sure your name is pronounced correctly, write clearly and directly on your card the best way to pronounce your name. Name cards are distributed when you check in for the ceremony on May 1.
Your name will match what's listed on your Graduation Application, which you can view in jwuLink. If you prefer to use a different first name (other than your legal name) on your name card and/or in the commencement program, please submit the Graduation Name in Use form by April 5, 2025. If the submission deadline is missed, your name card can be adjusted the day of commencement by crossing out your first name and writing in your preferred name.
Will the ceremony be videotaped or streamed live?
The ceremony will be live streamed. Please check back later and continue to watch your JWU email for livestream link information.
Where can I park my car when arriving at commencement?
Parking will be free for students and families in the main parking lot for Bojangles Coliseum.
Is there a special section for wheelchairs?
Yes, ADA seating is available at several locations throughout the Coliseum on a first come, first served basis. Seating in these areas is limited to the wheelchair user and one guest. Other members of the party are required to locate seating elsewhere in the venue. Please visit the Bojangles Coliseum website for further details.
Are wheelchairs provided?
It is recommended that if a member of your party requires ambulatory assistance, you should provide your own wheelchair.
What if I or one of my guests need other accommodations?
Any student or guest needing reasonable accommodations due to a disability to attend this commencement ceremony are encouraged to contact the Charlotte Graduation Chairperson at [email protected] no later than April 12, 2025. The venue is generally ADA compliant, offering accessible seating for audience members and ramp access to the stage for students. American Sign Language interpreters will be onsite for the ceremony. Please reach out should you have any questions or concerns.
Have other questions?
Please email [email protected].
Accomodations
Area hotels sell out quickly, especially with several other graduations and events scheduled the same weekend. Make your reservations early to ensure you have accommodations for this event.
Visit Charlotte
The Visit Charlotte website is a great resource for hotel options, dining suggestions, and things to do while visiting the city.