The University of Montana Western’s 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be Saturday, May 10, 2025. The time and location are to be announced.
This ceremony is to recognize all students who have completed a certificate, Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree during the Summer or Fall 2024 terms, or have applied for an are on track to complete a certificate or degree in Spring 2025. Students must formally submit an Application for Graduation within the posted deadlines and receive a degree audit confirming they have completed or will complete their certificate or degree in the 2024-25 academic year. Students completing their degree in Summer 2025 must apply and receive approval by the Registrar’s Office for Early Graduation if they wish to walk in Commencement in Spring 2025. Any questions regarding eligibility to participate in Commencement should be directed to the UMW Registrar’s Office.
Graduates and degree candidates need to let us know if they plan to “walk” in Commencement by submitting an online RSVP. Graduates and degree candidates can RSVP to the 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony by clicking the link below.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR COMMENCEMENT
Academic Regalia is required for all degree candidates and faculty participating in Commencement. A solid black cap and gown is required for all students participating in Commencement* and can be purchased through our preferred provider, Oak Hall beginning January 1, 2025 through March 21, 2025. Any purchases made through Oak Hall will be delivered directly to the UMW Bookstore for in-person pick-up the week prior to Commencement. Students also have the option to purchase or wear their own solid black cap and gown, however a chance of their cap and gown not being uniform to the ones purchased though Oak Hall is high.
*Students and faculty may wear tribal regalia instead of traditional academic regalia. Please read below for more information.
Stoles & Cords
The University of Montana Western strives to recognize and celebrate our candidates’ unique academic and co-curricular accomplishments. These include but are not limited to induction into university-recognized honor societies, involvement in academic organizations and/or association with university-recognized groups or programs.
In addition to the traditional cap and gown regalia worn at this event, we invite our degree candidates to wear stoles and cords at commencement to symbolize these associations in accordance with accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below. The university-recognized student/organization/group or the student is responsible for the cost of any additional regalia. The student is responsible for obtaining the regalia if he or she wishes to wear it during the commencement ceremony. Associate or Bachelor degree candidates and graduates with qualifying institutional cumulative GPAs have the option to purchase honor cords from the UMW Bookstore. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for Institutional GPA Honors requirements.
Tribal Regalia
Students and faculty are welcome to wear tribal regalia instead of traditional academic regalia at The University of Montana Western’s commencement ceremony. Keep in mind that everyone participating in commencement must adhere to accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below.
For more information about Montana State Law 2-1-315 please visit the Montana Code Annotated 2023 web page.
Decorated Mortarboards
Commencement is a celebration! We invite our degree candidates to decorate the top of their mortarboard (graduation cap), but ask that they respect the dignity of this occasion and be considerate of accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below.
University staff reserve the right to confiscate any and all inappropriate materials. Examples of inappropriate content include intimidating or profane language and/or visual materials that insinuate drugs, alcohol, or discrimination or harassment of a protected class. Students unwilling to comply with these guidelines may not participate in the Commencement ceremony.
If guests have concerns about accessibility, please contact Becky Stuart, Director of Campus Events & Conference Services at 406-683-7566 or [email protected] by May 1, 2025.
Parking will be available throughout campus as well as on the public streets surrounding campus. Please view this campus map to become familiar with campus before arriving.
The livestream for the University of Montana Western’s 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be available for viewing the day of the ceremony starting at 10:00am. A link will be posted here the week prior to the ceremony.
The digital program for the University of Montana Western’s 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be available for viewing the day of the ceremony. A link will be posted here the week prior to the ceremony.
Professional photography is provided by GradImages. Students participating in Commencement will receive proof of their photos to the email address they list on their name/degree card prior to the ceremony. Purchase of professional photos are optional.
Guests are asked to remain seated during the entire ceremony, and are not permitted to approach the stage or walkway for photos.
Students who complete their degree at the end of the Spring term will have their diploma(s) mailed to the diploma mailing address listed on their Application for Graduation. Generally, diplomas are mailed approximately twelve (12) weeks after Commencement. Students can email updated diploma mailing addresses to [email protected].
Follow these links to order your Alumni License Plate and Legacy Brick now!
If you have a hold on your account, you will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony. However, you will not receive your diploma or transcript until all holds have been lifted. Please check your DAWGS account to see if you have any holds.
Please contact [email protected] with questions.
Updated October 25, 2024
