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Graduation & Commencement

To honor and celebrate our graduating students, Eastern Kentucky University hosts two commencement ceremonies annually, one at the end of the fall semester in December, and one at the end of the spring semester in May. This site has information for students as they seek to apply to graduate, and as they prepare for the big day. This site also contains information for family and friends who wish to join their graduating student in celebration. Specific ceremony details are added as we get closer to the end of each semester.

University Honors Requirements & Details

All undergraduate students (Masters students are not awarded Latin Honors) earning Latin Honors must take at least 25% (30 GPA credit hours) of their degree applicable coursework at Eastern Kentucky University.

Baccalaureate Latin Honors Degrees:

(Honors GPA are calculated separately. See details below.)

  • Summa Cum Laude – 3.9 to 4.0
  • Magna Cum Laude – 3.7 to 3.89
  • Cum Laude – 3.5 to 3.69

Associate Degrees:

  • With High Distinction – 3.7 to 4.0
  • With Distinction – 3.5 to 3.69

Determining University Honors Eligibility:

Calculation of Adjusted GPA
A separate calculation is made to determine University Latin Honors. All semester hours attempted at EKU are included in the Honors GPA calculation. Grades for every course a student has repeated or bankrupted at EKU are entered back into the GPA for Honors calculation. The GPA reflected on a student’s transcript and/or Degree Works therefore cannot be seen as an indicator as to whether a student has earned University Honors.

Official University Honors Awards
Students earning Baccalaureate Latin Honors wear a maroon and white stole at commencement. Honors recognized during the graduation ceremony do not include the final semester’s course work, and are therefore un-official. Official University Honors on the diploma and final transcript will include the final semester’s grades.

GradFest

GradFest is an event hosted each semester where graduating students can:

  • Purchase and pick up their cap and gown
    NOTE: Doctoral students must pre-purchase or rent regalia. Learn more information here.
  • Verify the degree they are earning
  • Confirm their mailing address for the shipment of their diploma
  • Order graduation announcements and class rings with Jostens
  • Visit with the EKU Alumni Office

Caps, Gowns, and Other Regalia

Graduation caps and gowns are required for all commencement participants. This is a recognition ceremony that is optional and candidates should be appropriately attired. Undergraduate students earning University honors will be provided with an honor sash. Approved honor societies may provide optional regalia for their members to wear at commencement. It is the student’s responsibility to attend GradFest in order to acquire the required regalia. Students should contact their honors societies regarding stoles, cords or pins.

Doctoral Students Only

If you would like to purchase or rent doctoral regalia, you will need to contact the EKU Barnes and Noble Bookstore at 859-622-2696. Before you purchase or rent regalia, please confirm with the Graduate School that you are eligible to participate.

Student Pre-Commencement FAQs

If you are an online or off-campus student and will be attending the commencement ceremony but are unable to attend GradFest, an order link will be made available after the GradFest event is over. Please continue to monitor your EKU email for commencement updates.

The graduation fee covers expenses incurred in awarding, producing and mailing diplomas, as well as official graduation transcripts. Each student who graduates receives an EKU diploma and an official transcript listing their awarded credentials: degree, minor, concentration, certificate, etc. Each student individually decides whether they will attend a graduation ceremony—only those who attend must have regalia—and therefore, the cost of regalia is a separate and distinct charge.

Regalia refers to the caps, gowns, hoods and stoles worn by participants at the commencement ceremony.

Jostens is the contracted vendor that provides personalized announcements. Personalized announcements take two weeks to be produced. The Barnes & Noble Bookstore at EKU also has generic announcements for sale. Invitations, announcements and class rings can be ordered during GradFest or directly from Jostens.

Candidates will walk across the stage individually by department to receive a diploma cover, and individual professional photos will be taken by GradImages.

Caps, gowns, hoods for graduate students, and honors stoles can be picked up during GradFest.

Please contact the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at EKU at 859-622-2696.

Attend GradFest! GradFest is not just for undergraduates. This is also where you will pick-up your packaged master’s regalia, including your master’s hood.

Yes! GradFest is for all graduating students: Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Specialist. GradFest only takes a few minutes of your time, but provides you with everything necessary to make commencement a success and to make sure your diploma information is correct and is mailed to the proper address. GradFest is THE opportunity to acquire your cap and gown and offers a chance to buy invitations and class rings. GradFest is scheduled during the day and evenings for two days each semester to accommodate students that work and have other obligations.

If you are unable to attend GradFest, there will still be an opportunity to acquire your cap and gown. The Office of the Registrar will email a link, after GradFest, to order your cap and gown and have the items shipped to your residence. Regalia will be available for pick-up at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at EKU located on the EKU Richmond campus. This service will still be available once GradFest is over, and will continue through the day of your commencement ceremony.

You indicate how you want your name to be printed on your diploma when you apply for graduation. The last name on your diploma must be the legal name that is listed in EKU’s database but you may choose to have your preferred first name printed on the diploma. Middle names are optional on the diploma, and a middle initial may be used in place of a full middle name. Maiden names may be used as second middle names if requested. Suffixes may be used if they are part of the legal name on record at EKU. For more details about your diploma, go to the Diploma Guide.

Your name, degree, primary major and secondary major are on your diploma. Concentrations and minors are not shown on your diploma, but they will be on your transcript.

Diplomas will be mailed out approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks after degree conferral. Degree Conferral dates can be found on the Diploma page. Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application and a copy of your official EKU transcript will be emailed to your EKU student email account. For more details about your diploma, go to the Diploma Guide.

If you have a hold that prevents you from receiving your transcript and diploma, you will receive an email letting you know what your options are. Your diploma and transcript will be released after you have notified us that your hold has been released. EKU only holds diplomas and transcripts for certain financial obligations so if you are not notified your diploma is on hold, there will not be a delay.

Diplomas are mailed to the address provided on the graduation application. If the address changes before the diploma has been printed, students must use this form to update their diploma address. Please make sure that diploma address is selected.

Variations of a graduate’s official name may be printed on a diploma. Variations of a name must be requested when submitting a Graduation Application. If the name changes before the diploma has been printed, students must use this form to update their diploma name and include all appropriate documentation.

Students with work “In-Progress” or who have classes with grades of “Incomplete” will be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. However, all “In-Progress” work and “Incomplete” grades must be converted to official grades by the degree conferral date in order for a degree to be awarded during any given term.

Contact a College Graduation Expert in your College and request deferral to the following semester as soon as possible. This will enable your graduation application to be transferred to the following semester and will enable you to register for any classes you need to complete your degree. Be sure to email from your EKU email account and include your name and EKU ID in your email.

Student Commencement Day FAQs

Yes. Graduates will need to register for the ceremony of their respective college. They will be receiving an email with additional reservation information.

No. Tickets are not required for graduates participating in the ceremony; however, they will need to register for the ceremony of their respective college. Graduate registration information will be sent to students via email.

Tickets are required for all guests. Guest tickets are free and will be available for reservation. Guests will be required to submit the graduate’s name when reserving tickets. Please share this information with family and friends planning to attend.

A limit of six (6) guest tickets per graduating student.

Parking is available near and around the Center for the Arts. You will receive personalized information regarding graduate parking once you register for your ceremony. Shuttle services will be available to transport graduates and their guests from the lots designated for event parking to the Center for the Arts.

Everything you bring must fit in your pockets. You will not be able to have a purse or bag with you. You can either 1) bring your cap, gown, and any honors cords or sashes with you and dress onsite, or 2) wear your graduation items to graduation.

Many students dress in business casual outfits beneath their regalia. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes. All participating candidates must wear EKU graduation regalia for the ceremony. Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) applies to undergraduate students only.

Check in for graduates begins one (1) hour before their College’s ceremony in the Center for the Arts lobby. Please leave your personal items in your car for safekeeping. Personal items cannot be left anywhere in the check in area.

Accessible parking is available and will be clearly marked. ADA seating is also available. For deaf and hearing-impaired guests, interpreters are provided for each ceremony.

Family members and friends who are unable to attend EKU’s Commencement may view the ceremony online at go.eku.edu/watchgraduation.

Professional photography will be provided. Candidates will be photographed walking across the stage and with their diploma. Proofs and information from the photographer will be sent to the student’s EKU email address approximately one week following the ceremony.

Due to the need to prepare for the next commencement ceremony, we ask that you and your guests exit campus at the conclusion of your ceremony.

No. Graduates receiving dual degrees are encouraged to attend one ceremony. The ceremony you are most affiliated with will be the ceremony you receive the registration link for.

Guest Commencement Day FAQs

Yes. Due to the capacity of the Center for the Arts, each graduate is allocated six (6) free tickets for commencement. Guests shall submit their graduate’s name when reserving tickets. ADA seating is available for guests to indicate when reserving tickets. Each ADA ticket will receive a companion seat. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making this a memorable and orderly celebration for all.

Tickets will be available for reservation on October 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at go.eku.edu/tickets.

Yes. Accessible seating is available. When reserving your ticket, please specify ADA accommodations if needed. Each ADA ticket will receive a companion seat. For deaf and hearing-impaired guests, interpreters are provided for each ceremony.

Parking is available near and around the Center for the Arts. You will receive personalized information regarding guest parking once you reserve your ticket for your ceremony. Shuttle services will be available to transport graduates and their guests from the lots designated for event parking to the Center for the Arts.

Yes. Accessible parking is available and will be clearly marked.

All guests should plan to be parked no later than 45 minutes before the ceremony begins and to be inside the facility 30 minutes prior to the start. Graduates can begin checking in one hour before the start of the ceremony. Guests are welcome to arrive with their graduate but only graduates are allowed in the check in area. Please allow yourself plenty of time for arrival taking into consideration traffic and parking.

Family members and friends who are unable to attend the event may view the ceremony online at go.eku.edu/watchgraduation.

Yes. The EKU Bookstore and a flower vendor will have EKU graduation items and flowers for purchase.

Professional photography will be provided. Candidates will be photographed walking across the stage and with their diploma. Proofs and information from the photographer will be sent to the student’s EKU email address approximately one week following the ceremony.

There will not be food or drinks available at the Center for the Arts.

Yes. Once your graduate has walked across the stage, you’re welcome to discreetly exit the auditorium and join them in the lobby.

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