Congratulations to our Missouri Western State University
Fall 2020 and Spring/Summer 2021 graduates!
Due to inclement weather forecasted, both undergraduate ceremonies have been moved indoors to the
St. Joseph Civic Area
100 North 4th, St Joseph, MO 64501
Masks will be required
The graduate hooding ceremony has been moved to the Fulkerson Center on the Missouri Western campus
We look forward to celebrating your successes and accomplishments at our May 8 Commencement program
As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our students, guests, faculty and staff, our campus protocols and policies reflect our adherence to best-practices as we plan for events such as Commencement.
In alignment with MWSU’s current COVID-19 safety protocols, all individuals attending one of the commencement ceremonies must wear a face covering and maintain social distancing during the ceremony. We appreciate your assistance in keeping your loved ones and other individuals safe as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates.
As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and will inform you as soon as possible, should circumstances warrant a change in our Commencement plans. Thank you for your patience and understanding; these truly are unprecedented times.
Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises
In an effort to provide a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri Western has divided Spring 2021 Commencement into two ceremonies. Both ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 8. The first ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m; the second ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. Details for each ceremony are listed below.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Due to inclement weather forecasted, the ceremony has been moved indoors to the
St. Joseph Civic Arena
100 North 4th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Masks will be required
11:00 a.m.
Undergraduate Students
Bachelor of General Studies and Science in Technology (BGS and BST)
College of Science and Health
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science, Math & Physics
Health Information
Nursing
Physical Therapy Assistant
Population Health
Physical Education
Recreation Sport
Social Work
Graduate Students
Master’s degree and/or Graduate Certificate
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Due to inclement weather forecasted, the ceremony has been moved indoors to the
St. Joseph Civic Arena
100 North 4th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Masks will be required
3:00 p.m.
Arrive 1:45 p.m. – Students with last name A-K
Undergraduate Students
College of Business and Professional Studies
Business
Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Education
Engineering Technology
College of Liberal Arts
Communication
—Communication
—English
—Foreign/Modern Languages, Journalism
Psychology
School of Fine Arts
—Art
—Cinema
—Music
—Theatre
Social Science and Humanities
—Economics
—History
—Philosophy
—Political Science
—Religion
—Sociology
Tickets
Each graduate will be allotted six (6) commencement tickets; tickets are required to attend the event. Requests for additional tickets (above the 6 allotted) may be made to mwsugraduationinfo@missouriwestern.edu. Please request your tickets prior to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27.
Tickets will be distributed electronically. You will receive an email on or before, Monday, May 3 regarding instructions on accessing your tickets.
If you are receiving up to 6 tickets and did not request additional tickets, please follow the instructions below to claim your tickets:
Visit https://gogriffons.com/sports/2020/10/7/box-office.aspx
Once the page opens, click on “Have a passcode?”
Your passcode is your G number.
Attendance
Fall 2020 Graduates – If you have not already indicated your attendance to the Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony, please watch your email for an inquiry. Please respond to the survey and report your desire to attend the May Commencement as soon as possible.
Spring/Summer 2021 Graduates – Should you have a change in your plans to attend the May Commencement ceremony, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (816)-271-4211 or registrar@missouriwestern.edu.
Tips for Ceremony Attire
- Bring your cap and gown, tassel and Master’s hood (if you received one). Honors stoles will be available at check-in the day of commencement. If you forget your regalia, you may still walk without it.
- Graduates may not wear spiked heeled shoes on the field. Only wedges or flat shoes will be allowed.
- There will be no place to leave your personal belongings. Whatever you carry to the check-in tables will have to be carried with you during the ceremony.
Cap and Gown Pickup and Grad Fest ’21
New in 2021, Missouri Western is bringing you Grad Fest! Caps and gowns will be ready for pick-up beginning at Grad Fest on Wednesday and Thursday, April 14 and 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kelley Commons.
Come and enjoy music and giveaways.
If there is rain, the Grad Fest will be moved indoors to the Blum Union.
Following Grad Fest, caps and gowns will be available for pick-up at the Alumni Welcome Center in Spratt 105, or the Missouri Western State University Bookstore in Hearnes Center.
Photographs
A professional photographer will take photos before and during the ceremony. You MUST present a photo card at the time of commencement. Photo cards will be distributed during the GradFest ‘21 cap and gown pickup on April 14-15. Following Grad Fest, photo cards can be picked up at the Alumni Welcome Center in Spratt 105, or the Missouri Western State University Bookstore in Hearnes Center.
Announcements
Graduates wishing to order graduation announcements may do so through Herff Jones.
How to Purchase a Yearbook
Help make the year unforgettable by purchasing a 2022 edition of The Griffon yearbook. This year we celebrate the 96th volume of when The Griffon which was first published at Missouri Western in 1921.
For only $35, you will have a book that will be enjoyed now and 20, 30 or even 50 years from now. You also can make the yearbook extra special by purchasing name-stamping and a protective plastic cover.
Purchase your copy of the yearbook from our online portal today with credit, debit card or PayPal at yearbookforever.com. Order now, so you won’t miss out when the yearbook is distributed. Yearbooks will not be available for purchase after they are printed.
How to place a personal dedication for a graduate in the yearbook?
Attending a university is a unique time in a person’s life. College students experience strong loyalties about their friends, teammates, classmates and school. Show your support for their life at Missouri Western State University a personal ad in the 2022 edition of The Griffon yearbook.
The yearbook helps students remember all the special people and happenings from this school year. The addition of a special photo and message written by you will make the book much more personal.
You can purchase a personal dedication to commemorate this moment in your son/daughter’s life online by March 1 with credit card, debit card or PayPal at yearbookforever.com.
Who to contact?
For questions about purchasing a yearbook or personal ad in this year’s edition of the yearbook please contact Dr. James Carviou
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are participating in one of the ceremonies, please check your email for detailed instructions.
Location of Undergraduate Ceremonies
St. Joseph Civic Arena
100 North 4th Street
St Joseph, MO 64501
FAQ’s
Need more information?
Contact Lisa May, College of Liberal Arts
(816) 271-4510
mwsugraduationinfo@missouriwestern.edu
