Undergraduate Commencement

Parking for graduating students... is located in the NORTH parking lot of the Coliseum. The Winthrop University Police Department will direct drivers to the nearest available parking spots.

Parking for visitors... is located in the SOUTH parking lot of the Coliseum. There will be a designated parking space for special guests; all remaining parking space is for family and friends.

Note: Parking off Winthrop property may result in your vehicle being towed.

Check-in for graduating students is from 9:30 - 10:40 a.m. Graduates will enter through the north tunnel of the Coliseum for check-in. Only participating graduates are allowed in the check-in area.

Graduates must come dressed in their academic regalia (cap and gown). There will be no storage for personal items, so graduates should leave their personal belongings with their family and friends before reporting to the check-in area.

Check-in Procedures:

• Upon arrival, report to the CHECK-IN TABLE of your College (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, or Visual and Performing Arts)
• Each degree candidate will be given two cards: a yellow NAME CARD and a white PHOTOGRAPHER CARD.  Each card will be printed with your name and line-up number.  The NAME CARD will also list any honors receieved.  Do not lose or alter these cards. The yellow card is used to read your name as you walk across the stage.
• SEATING AND NAME CARD QUESTIONS (Optional): If you believe the information printed on the cards is incorrect, please bring this to the attention of the staff at the check-in area. There will be a table designated for questions and problems related to NAME CARDS and HONORS.  "
• NAME PRONUNCIATION (Optional): The name readers will be available in the check in area if you have concerns regarding the pronunciation of your name.  You will be able to indicate the phonetic pronunciation of your name to assist the reader.
• PHOTOGRAPHER: after checking in and receiving your cards, you will be directed to have your photo taken in a designated area.  The white PHOTOGRAPHER CARD will be collected by the photographer; you will keep the yellow NAME CARD for the ceremony.
• LINE-UP:  After checking in and having your photo taken, you should proceed to the east hallway where additional personnel will be present to assist you in locating your assigned position in line.
  • The yellow NAME CARD contains a line-up number that indicates your place in line.  You must line up according to this number.  There will be signs on the wall.  Please find the number signs that your number falls between and find your place in line.  For example, if your number is 10R, find the signs that show 1R and 11R; next, place yourself between them in line behind 9R and in front of 11R.
  • Line-Up must be organized and orderly to facilitate the timely beginning of the ceremony.

• Upon arrival, report to the CHECK-IN TABLE of your College (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, or Visual and Performing Arts).
• Each degree candidate will be given two cards: a yellow NAME CARD and a white PHOTOGRAPHER CARD.  Each card will be printed with your name and line-up number.  The NAME CARD will also list any honors received.  Do not lose or alter these cards. The yellow card is used to read your name as you walk across the stage.
• SEATING AND NAME CARD QUESTIONS (Optional): If you believe the information printed on the cards is incorrect, please bring this to the attention of the staff at the check-in area. There will be a table designated for questions and problems related to NAME CARDS and HONORS.  "
• NAME PRONUNCIATION (Optional): The name readers will be available in the check in area if you have concerns regarding the pronunciation of your name.  You will be able to indicate the phonetic pronunciation of your name to assist the reader.
• PHOTOGRAPHER: after checking in and receiving your cards, you will be directed to have your photo taken in a designated area.  The white PHOTOGRAPHER CARD will be collected by the photographer; you will keep the yellow NAME CARD for the ceremony.
• LINE-UP:  After checking in and having your photo taken, you should proceed to the east hallway where additional personnel will be present to assist you in locating your assigned position in line.
  • The yellow NAME CARD contains a line-up number that indicates your place in line.  You must line up according to this number.  There will be signs on the wall.  Please find the number signs that your number falls between and find your place in line.  For example, if your number is 10R, find the signs that show 1R and 11R; next, place yourself between them in line behind 9R and in front of 11R.
  • Line-Up must be organized and orderly to facilitate the timely beginning of the ceremony.

The event is not ticketed. However, due to limited seating in the Coliseum, each graduate is asked to invite no more than EIGHT guests to the ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. In fairness to all guests, we ask that you not reserve seating.

Family and friends of the graduates should enter the Coliseum through the upper concourse level and can be seated beginning at 10 a.m. 

Balloons and balloon bouquets are not allowed in the arena as they may obstruct the view of other guests. Consider leaving these items in your car or having a member of your party wait outside until the ceremony concludes.

For information on the Rock Hill area, including a list of local accommodations, check out the Winthrop Visitors' Center.

Information regarding accessibility for guests - including accessible parking, seating, and restrooms - can be found on the Accessibility page.

Accessible seating will be designated for guests, including the elderly, who may require accommodations. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so these individuals should plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony. In order to ensure that accessible seating is available for those who need it, only one person may accompany the individual to the accessible seating area (this will be enforced).

Graduates who require auxiliary aid or service identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in the ceremony may contact the Director of the Office of Accessibility at 803/323-3290 (V/TTD) or visit the office website for more information. These services are available only for graduates.

Commencement programs will be distributed at the ceremony. Each graduate will receive a copy of the program. A limited number of copies will be available in the upper concourse prior to the ceremony for family and friends.

Programs will include the following information about the degree candidates:

• College
• Degree
• Name
• Latin Honors or Honors Recognition*

A digital version of the program will be made available following the ceremony. 

*Note: Commencement programs are printed the month prior to the ceremony before final grades are reported for the fall semester. Latin Honors and Honors Recognition designations in the program are based on the degree candidate's GPA from the previous semester (not including transfer work) and therefore may not reflect their actual honors award.

The Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on the Winthrop homepage for those who are unable to attend. (A video recording will be made available in the weeks following the ceremony.)

Start of Ceremony

The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m.

Please be prompt. We cannot place students in seats after the ceremony begins.

The Platform party will process in to the arena.

Members of the procession and all guests will stand until after the National Anthem has been sung.

Conferring of Degrees:

After the Master's Degree graduates receive their degrees, the academic deans will present the candidates for undergraduate degrees from their respective college to the Provost. Once all undergraduate degrees are conferred, the president will then instruct graduates to move their tassels from the right front side to the left front side of the cap.

Marshals will then direct the movement of bachelor's degree recipients to the stage. Graduates will give their name cards to the reader when they reach the top of the ramp leading onto the stage. When their name is announced, they will cross the stage, receive their diploma cover from their academic dean and shake hands with the chair of the board of trustees and the president.

Final Procession:

Upon conclusion of the singing of the Alma Mater, the platform party will leave first, followed by the faculty. The graduates will exit under the direction of the Student Marshals. Please meet family and friends in the upper concourse or outside after the ceremony. The ceremony should last approximately an hour and a half.

The Grad Team will be taking photos during the Commencement ceremony. Two photographs will be taken of each graduate: one with the President and the other – a more posed shot – in front of the Winthrop logo. The Grad Team will contact graduates following the ceremony with details regarding the purchase of photos.

Guests may take their own photos and videos during the ceremony but may not block aisles or obstruct the view of other guests.

The stage will be left intact for a short time following the ceremony for those guests who wish to take photographs.

In instances of extreme weather, unsafe road conditions, or natural disasters, the University will notify local media outlets regarding the feasibility of proceeding with the Commencement ceremony as scheduled.

Q. Will there be a Commencement Ceremony rehearsal?

A.  No.  There will not be a rehearsal.

Q. Can I petition to march across the stage if I have not completed all my requirements for graduation?

A.  No, under no circumstance may you participate in the commencement ceremony if you have not completed all your requirements for graduation.

Q. Do I have to have all of my cultural events completed to be cleared for graduation?

A. Absolutely. You will not be cleared for graduation nor will you be able to participate in the commencement ceremony if you have not completed ALL of your cultural events.

Q. What time do I need to be at the Coliseum to check in?

A. All graduates should check in from 9:30 - 10:40 a.m. in the NORTH entrance of the Coliseum.  See "Check-in and Seating for Degree Recipients" above for more details.

*Note:  Only graduates are allowed in this area.

Q.  Do my guests need tickets to attend the ceremony?

A.  No. There will not be any tickets for guests. We ask that each graduate invites no more than EIGHT guests to ensure that we have enough seating.

Q. Is there a certain color cap and gown we need to wear to walk at commencement?

A.  Yes. A black gown, cap and a Winthrop tassel. These can be ordered online through our vendor, Oak Hall. For more information, please contact the Winthrop Bookstore at 803/323-3800.

Q. Can we decorate our caps?

A. Yes. Only the flat top area of the cap may be decorated. Adornments must lay flat on the surface of the cap. Decorations cannot extend beyond the border of the cap or fall below the perimeter. Decorations may not include anything obscene, profane, vulgar or lewd. Any adornment or message on caps deemed inappropriate or determined to pose a safety risk or distraction will not be allowed.

Q. Will I receive my diploma when I cross the stage?

A. No, you will receive your diploma in the designated diploma pick-up area as you exit the arena immediately after the ceremony.

Q. Where do I put my keys, purse, etc.?

A.  Do not bring anything that you cannot put in your pocket. If you bring a purse, make sure that it has a strap so that you can wear it under your gown if necessary.

Q. When do the graduates have to move out of our residence halls?

A. The residence halls will close on Saturday, December 14 at 6 p.m.

Q. If I am unable to participate in the commencement ceremony, how can I obtain my diploma?

A.  All undergraduate diplomas not picked up after the ceremony can be obtained in the Office of Records and Registration, 126 Tillman, the following week starting on Monday, December 16 at NOON.  All diplomas not picked up by Wednesday, December 18 will be mailed to the permanent address on file in Wingspan. Make sure all mailing addresses are updated to avoid delay.

Please check your Wingspan account to make sure that your Permanent Address is up to date. (directions: Wingspan > Personal Information Tab > Personal Information Dashboard > Personal Information > scroll down to Address section > choose Permanent Address).

Caps and Gowns

Commencement ceremony participants must wear the appropriate academic regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) distributed through the Winthrop Bookstore. Caps and gowns can be ordered online at winthrop.shopoakhalli.com.  Graduates who arrive wearing the wrong regalia will need to purchase the proper attire to participate in the ceremony.

The deadline to order caps and gowns online is TBA.

 For more information, call the Winthrop Bookstore (Barnes & Noble) at 803/323-3800.

Cords and Stoles

Graduates may wear cords representing University-recognized academic honor societies and stoles representing Winthrop organizations.

Graduates who receive Latin Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude) or Honors Recognition will receive a gold honor cord to wear during the Commencement ceremony. This will be presented to them during check-in for the ceremony.

Men should remove caps during the singing of the national anthem and the Alma Mater.

• Graduation week and the awarding of degrees

• The Commencement ceremony

• Honors eligibility

• Diplomas

• and so much more!

August and December graduates participating in Commencement will be presented with a diploma cover on stage during the ceremony.

For information regarding the receiving of diplomas, visit the Graduation page.

August 2023 graduates who received Latin Honors or Honors Recognition will have received an e-mail from the Office of Records and Registration in August notifying them of their honors award.

December 2023 graduates who receive academic honors will receive an e-mail the Friday before Commencement notifying them of their honors award.

For information regarding honors eligibility, visit the Graduation page.

The official ring of Winthrop University is reserved exclusively for alumni, graduate students who have completed at least 18 credit hours, and undergraduate students of junior or senior standing who have completed at least 54 credit hours.

For information regarding ring purchases and graduation announcements, call Jostens at 800/854-7464.

For information regarding the ring ceremony, contact the Alumni Association.