Congratulations to our Missouri Western State University
Spring & Summer 2022 graduates!
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Spratt Stadium
Commencement Information
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, please visit our COVID-19 website for the most updated information.
We appreciate your assistance in keeping your loved ones and other individuals safe as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. And, 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.
In the event of inclement weather, please see our Inclement Weather Plan here for more details.
Spring Commencement & Hooding Ceremony
To accommodate guests who are unable to attend, Missouri Western State University will offer a live online stream of the commencement ceremony. Archived videos of the ceremony will be uploaded to Missouri Western’s YouTube Channel.
Additional Spring Commencement Activities
Law Enforcement Academy Graduation Ceremony
Friday, June 10
6 p.m.
Honors Medal Ceremony
Monday, May 2
4 p.m.
Spratt 214
International and Multicultural Graduation
Friday, May 6
3 p.m.
Spratt 214-216
School of Nursing & Health Professions Pinning Ceremony
Saturday, May 7
8:30 a.m.
Fulkerson Center
Attendance
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.
- Wedges or flat shoes only. Spiked heels are NOT allowed on the field.
- 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 ’22
Grad Fest — April 12-13
Please join us in celebrating you during Grad Fest which will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 12-13 in the Leah Spratt Hall Atrium.
This two-day event is a wonderful opportunity for graduating Griffons to not only pick up your caps and gowns, but also the perfect time for you to celebrate with our various campus departments, ask questions about commencement, and have your photo taken!
Beginning on April 15, regalia may be picked up at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the first floor of Hearnes, during regular business hours.
Monday-Thurs 9 am – 4:30 pm
Friday – 10 am – 3 pm
• Master’s students will pick up their hoods at check in on May 7
Order your Legacy Cord
The Missouri Western Alumni Association and Foundation gifts legacy students with a specific cord to wear at graduation to recognize the connection they share with their family members who have graduated before them. Students with MWSU graduates in their family history (parents, step-parents, or grandparents) are considered legacies. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.
Photographs
Graduates will have two photos taken by professional photographers from GRADIMAGES; one as the graduate crosses the stage, and a second off the stage while holding their diploma cover. GRADIMAGES will then send proofs via a graduate’s university email. You can preregister early and save by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code.
For further information, please contact GRADIMAGES at (850) 907-2740 or email.
Announcements
Graduates wishing to order graduation announcements may do so through Herff Jones.
Student Commencement Speakers
Missouri Western State University has a tradition of alternating Commencement Ceremony speakers, with a faculty member speaking each Fall, and a graduating senior each Spring. The student commencement speakers are listed below from 2013 to the most current in 2021.
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
Commencement FAQ
All graduates may pick up their cap, gown and tassel:
Regalia may be picked up at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the first floor of Hearnes, during regular business hours.
Monday-Thurs 9 am – 4:30 pm
Friday – 10 am – 3 pm
• Master’s students will pick up their hoods at check-in on May 7
• Please bring cap, gown, and tassel. Tassels are to be placed on the right side prior to the ceremony. If you forgot your regalia, you may still walk without it.
• If you have qualified to receive an honor stole, you will pick it up during the check-in process.
• Master’s hoods will be picked up during check-in.
• Wedges or flat shoes only. Spiked heels are NOT allowed on the field or in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.
Lot I (near the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex and the Spratt Stadium):
• Students driving themselves to the ceremony may park in Lot I. If Lot I becomes full, students may park in Lot H.
Lot H (near Baker Fitness Center)
• Guests/family members/students may park in Lot H.
• Handicapped parking will be in Lot I nearest the Spratt Stadium. Hang tags must be used.
9:30 am – Check-in begins in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.
• 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. MWSU is not liable for lost or stolen items.
• To check-in, look for the table that is alphabetically designated with the first letter of your last name to pick up your reader’s card.
• If necessary, take your reader’s card to the reader’s table, to ensure the reader knows how to properly pronounce your name.
• There will be a general information table available to answer any additional questions you may have.
• Proceed to the photographer for your photo with the MWSU backdrop. There are volunteers to help guide your way.
• Graduates will need to be lined up and ready to participate in the processional to the field by 10:45 am.
• Cell phones should be silenced when you reach your seat.
• You will find a bottle of water under your chair on the field.
Undergraduates:
• Your row will be released by a marshal (in the yellow gowns) and you will be led to the stage.
• When you reach the ramp, hand your reader’s card to the reader and wait until your name is read.
• Proceed to the President, where you will receive your diploma cover, pause for the photographer, cross the stage and pause again for the photographer as you exit the stage.
• After all candidates have returned to their seats and after closing remarks, the Alumni Association representative will direct the moving of the tassels. At this point, graduates move their tassel from the right to the left side.
• All graduates will be released by rows following the ceremony.
Master’s:
• Your row will be released by a marshal (in the yellow gowns) and you will be led to the stage.
• As you leave your seat to walk to the stage, carry your hood with you; drape it over your left forearm.
• As you near the bottom of the ramp, the faculty member who will hood you will step into line behind you.
• When the faculty member who will hood you steps behind you in line.
• If you will be hooded by a faculty member who will perform multiple hoodings, that faculty member will remain on the stage after the first student in the “group” has been hooded. After your name is read (whether you be the second, third, fourth, etc., student to be hooded by the same faculty member), proceed to the stage and join the faculty member. Hand your hood to the faculty member once you reach the stage.
• When you reach the bottom of the ramp, hand your reader’s card to the reader and wait until your name is read, then proceed to the stage.
• After you have been formally hooded, proceed to the President, from whom you will receive your diploma cover. Pause for the photographer to take a picture.
• Continue across the stage, then pause again for the photographer as you exit the stage.
• After all candidates have returned to their seats and after closing remarks, the Alumni Association representative will direct the moving of the tassels. Tassels should not be moved during the course of the formal hooding OR while you are on the stage.
• All graduates will be released by rows following the ceremony.
Missouri Western will provide a live webcast of the commencement ceremony for guests who are unable to attend. The link is posted on the commencement webpage.
• The Commencement program will also be available on the webpage on May 7.
Graduates will have three photos taken by professional photographers from Grad Images:
• Before the ceremony in front of the Missouri Western backdrop,
• As you cross the stage
• As you exit the stage
Proofs will be emailed directly to you by Grad Images, and you may order photos if you choose.
• We are making available a free, personalized video clip of your magic moment on stage which you can share with your friends, family and loved ones. Your clip will be ready to view a few hours after the ceremony. You will receive an email to your university account from StageClip Graduations with an individualized link to a video clip of you receiving your diploma.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Looney Complex. We will hold 2 ceremonies to ensure the space for all guests to attend.
Please check your MWSU email and the Commencement Information webpage for updates.
11:00 a.m. Ceremony
BGS (Bachelor of General Studies) Degrees
BST (Bachelor of Science in Technology) Degrees
College of Science & Health
All Master’s Degrees and/or Graduate Certificates
Check-in process:
• Doors to the Looney Complex will open at 9:30 am.
• To check-in, look for the table that is alphabetically designated with the first letter of your last name.
• Graduates will line up in the small gym to participate in the processional to the arena at approximately 10:45 am.
3:00 p.m. Ceremony
College of Business & Professional Studies
College of Liberal Arts
Check-in process:
• Doors to the Looney Complex will open at 1:30 pm.
• To check-in, look for the table that is alphabetically designated with the first letter of your last name.
• Graduates will line up in the small gym to participate in the processional to the arena at approximately 2:45 pm.
Tickets are not required for this event. There are no limitations or restrictions on the number of guests who may attend.
There will be no concessions. Guests will be allowed to enter with one bottle of water.
