MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The time has come to bid them farewell and good luck.
West Virginia University has a May 2017 graduating class of 4,500 students.
According to Lisa Martin with university events, approximately 3,500 will participate in commencement ceremonies that are scheduled Friday through Sunday.
There are 17 ceremonies for 15 colleges and schools.
“Two will be at the Health Sciences (campus) on Friday. We’ll have six at the Creative Arts Center Friday and Saturday. And, we’ll have a total of nine at the coliseum Friday through Sunday.”
Planning for commencement ceremonies in May 2016 came with a challenge Martin is glad organizers did not face this year.
“This year the coliseum renovations are mostly done. There’s a few things left inside. I think that the guests and graduates will be very much pleased with what they have on the inside,” hoped Martin. “It’s business as usual this year.”
All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. That doesn’t necessarily mean the earlier the arrival the better the chance at parking.
“While we do our best to accommodate parking and stuff it’s just good to remember to be patient and get an early start. The students are asked to check in one hour prior to the ceremony start time. I don’t recommend coming any earlier than that because it could impact the parking of a ceremony going on prior to,” Martin suggested.
WVU’s PRT will not operate during commencement weekend. The Coliseum and the Creative Arts Center will have shuttle service surrounding short-term parking on the Evansdale Campus, Lots 1 and 9, Areas 51 and 56. The Mountain Line bus service will also be available.
(*Below is a list of the upcoming graduations.)
As soon as they are complete, university events staff begins plans for December graduations.
“All the work that goes into it from all the colleges and our roads and grounds and facilities and everyone who has a hand in it, when we see the graduates with the smiles on their faces, and all the photos being taken, that’s what it’s all about. We’re very happy for this weekend,” shared Martin.
*The complete list of commencement ceremonies:
Friday, May 12:
Reed College of Media, 9 a.m., WVU Coliseum
Schools of Medicine/Pharmacy, Ph.D., 9 a.m., Okey Patteson Auditorium
College of Law, 10 a.m., Creative Arts Center
College of Physical Activity and Sport Science, 1 p.m., WVU Coliseum
College of Creative Arts, 2 p.m., Creative Arts Center
School of Public Health, 3 p.m., Okey Patteson Auditorium
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, 4:30 p.m., WVU Coliseum
School of Medicine, M.D., 6 p.m., Creative Arts Center
Saturday, May 13:
School of Dentistry, 8 a.m., Creative Arts Center
College of Education and Human Services, 9 a.m., WVU Coliseum
School of Nursing, noon, Creative Arts Center
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, 1 p.m., WVU Coliseum
School of Pharmacy, 4 p.m., Creative Arts Center
College of Business and Economics, 5 p.m., WVU Coliseum
Sunday, May 14:
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Masters, Ph.D., 9 a.m., WVU Coliseum
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, 12:30 p.m., WVU Coliseum
School of Medicine, professionals, 4 p.m., WVU Coliseum