Prepare for Commencement

For Students (Graduate Hub)

Required Tasks

• Confirm intent to participate in commencement (as instructed by the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions)
• Ensure your mailing address is current with OSAA​​​​​​ (Address will be confirmed again during Graduate Checkout)

Regalia (Caps, Gowns, and Hoods)

• Official regalia is required for all graduates
• Ordering details and deadlines will be provided by the School of Medicine
• Regalia costs are the responsibility of the student

Dress Guidance

• Business or business-casual attire is recommended under regalia
• Comfortable footwear is strongly encouraged

Composite and Class Photos

• Information regarding composite and class photos, including dates and locations, will be shared with students separately

Day-of Preparation

• Arrival time: 1:30 p.m.
• Full regalia is expected
• Students will be seated in the arena for rehearsal at 2:00 p.m.
• Following rehearsal, students will proceed to McLin Gym for:
  • Class photo
  • Hydration stations
• Processional line-up begins at 3:15 p.m.

What to Bring / What Not to Bring

• Graduates should limit personal items
• Storage options may be limited
• Follow all venue bag and security policies

Honors and Awards

• Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and Gold Humanism Honor Society cords will be distributed to recipients on the day of the ceremony

Diplomas

• Graduates will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony
• Official diplomas are not distributed at commencement
• Diplomas will be mailed following final transcript verification in May
• Graduates must ensure OSAA has the correct mailing address to avoid delays

For Family and Friends

Tickets and Seating

• Tickets are not required
• Seating is open and first-come, first-served
• Guests may not hold seats for their party
• Guests may not access the arena floor at any time

Arrival and Entry

• General doors open at 2:30 p.m.
• Guests with floor-level accessible seating should arrive between 2:00–2:30 p.m.
• Guests arriving after 2:30 p.m. may be directed to upper-level accessible seating

Venue Policies

• Clear bag policy enforced
• Security screening required
• Outside food and beverages are not permitted
• Noise-making devices such as air horns are prohibited
• Only ADA-recognized service animals are permitted

Photography and Video

• Personal photography and short videos are welcome from guest seating
• Large or professional photography equipment is not permitted
• Guests may not enter aisles or the arena floor for photography
• Professional photography will be provided by GradImages®

For Guest Hooders

Being selected as a Guest Hooder is a significant honor, reflecting the graduate’s appreciation for your role in their medical education journey.

Eligibility and Confirmation

• Guest Hooders must hold an MD, DO, DPM, or MBBS
• Participation must be confirmed by Friday, March 6, 2026
• Full regalia is required

Arrival and Rehearsal

• Arrival no later than 2:00 p.m.
• Check-in at the Berry Room
• Hooder rehearsal begins at 2:15 p.m. (promptly)

Any Guest Hooder who arrives late or is not in full regalia will not be eligible to participate in commencement.

Regalia Rental

• Orders placed through Herff Jones
  • Customer Number: 34001378000
  • Order Number: 5313381
    • Select "New Faculty Member" (even though this is for guest hooders)
    • Enter your personal information in the portal. Guest Hooders should use their alma mater institution to receive the correct hood colors.
    • The deadline to order rental regalia is Saturday, April 4, 2026.

Important Deadlines

• Regalia rental deadline: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Pickup

• Regalia will be delivered to the Wright State University Bookstore
• Pickup available approximately two weeks prior to commencement
• Email notification will be sent when ready

Questions

For assistance, contact the university bookstore at 937-335-5600 or email raiderlanding@wright.edu. You can also watch the video below to learn more about being a guest hooder.

For Faculty and Staff

Arrival and Parking

• Park in Lot 1
• Enter through the Berry Room (follow large yellow sign)
• Arrival window: 2:00–2:30 p.m.

Regalia

• Faculty regalia orders placed through Herff Jones
  • You will need to enter the following information:
    • Customer #: 34001378000
    • Order #: 5454372
• Ordering details and deadlines will be shared separately
• For assistance, contact the University Bookstore:
  • 937-775-5600
  • raiderlanding@wright.edu

Rehearsal Schedule

• 1:30 p.m. – Students and Faculty Marshals arrive
• 1:45 p.m. – Faculty Marshal training
• 2:00 p.m. – Student rehearsal
• 2:15 p.m. – Hooder training
• 2:30 p.m. – Grand Marshal training
• 2:45 p.m. – Student Marshal training

Accessibility and Accommodations

Graduates

Graduates requiring assistance or accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services:

• 937-775-5680

Guests

• Accessible seating available on the concourse level for guests with disabilities and up to three companions
• Limited floor-level accessible seating is available with advance registration
• Requests must be received by April 17, 2026

To request accessible seating email bsom-events-collaboration@wright.edu.

Additional Accessibility Information

• Closed captioning will be displayed on the jumbotron and side screens
• Guests requiring ASL interpretation should contact graduation@wright.edu at least 14 days prior to the ceremony
• ADA-recognized service animals are permitted