Celebrating the Class of 2024
Graduation is an exciting time for our graduates and the University community. Graduates, their families and friends, our faculty and staff, and other community members gather to celebrate the culmination of a considerable academic accomplishment.
Graduates of the School of Law are invited to participate in two major events: the Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony and the University Commencement Ceremony.
Tickets, which are complimentary, are required for both the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony and the University Commencement Ceremony. Out-of-town guests should make travel arrangements and hotel accommodations early.
Livestreams of the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony and the University Commencement Ceremony will be available on this website for anyone who is unable to attend.
Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony
The pinnacle celebration for graduates of the School of Law is the Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony. During the ceremony, each graduate is individually recognized and receives their academic hood, and all degrees are conferred.
The academic hood that graduates receive signifies their success in completing their degree. For many participants, this is the culmination of graduate studies and represents the degree recipient's transition from student to colleague.
We welcome families and guests of graduates. Tickets are required for this event, but parking passes are not required. Parking is on a first-come first-served basis.
Guest Tickets and Seating
Each graduate will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony. Children two and under do not need a ticket to enter if sitting on a lap (a ticket is required if the child needs their own seat).
Please do not bring extra family members to the venue without a ticket. No extra tickets will be available. Ten tickets is the limit for each graduate.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and seats may not be held for late arrivals. Guests may enter the ceremony at any point during the event, but late arrivals will be directed to balcony seating to avoid disruption.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:00 pm Doors for guests will open to Wait Chapel at approximately 1:30 pm Guests should arrive in time to park, proceed through security/bag check, and be seated in advance of the ceremony. Guests will be directed to a specific waiting area for entrance to the venue. The University encourages guests to consider not bringing bags, as there will be a bag check requirement when entering the venue.
Security
All guests will be required to proceed through security and a bag check prior to entering Wait Chapel. The following items are prohibited: mace, pepper spray, aerosols, pocket knives, firearms, weapons of any kind, coolers, alcohol, signs on sticks or poles, suitcases, tripods, animals (excluding service animals), and strollers (collapsible allowed).
*Emotional support animals are not included
Parking
On-campus parking will be open and available for the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony.
Clear Bag Policy and Bag Checks
As part of Wake Forest’s security measures, a clear bag policy and bag checks have been adopted for all Commencement activities. Guests are encouraged to consider the additional time needed for bag checks by security when planning their arrival and entry into the Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony. Bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance before ticket scanning. Guests are encouraged to assess the necessity of bringing a bag, as we aim to enhance efficiency and convenience for all patrons.
Special Needs
Guests with special needs may be dropped off behind Wait Chapel on Wake Forest Road. Cars transporting special needs guests may park in Parking Lot Q or other nearby spaces. A ramp is available both at the side entrance of Wait Chapel nearest to Parking Lot P and at the right-front entrance of the Chapel. The Chapel has designated rows for wheelchairs.
Photography
During the ceremony, each graduate will cross the stage to receive their academic hood and shake hands with the Dean of the School of Law. A professional photographer will take two photographs on stage: one as the graduate is hooded and the other with the Dean. Both photographs will be sent to graduates' Wake Forest email addresses. Given the professional photography, we ask that all guests remain in their seats to take photographs or videos.
Friday, May 17
Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony
2:00 pm
Wait Chapel
Hooding Reception
Following Ceremony
Worrell Professional Center
Courtyard
Livestream
A livestream of the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony will be available.
University Commencement Ceremony
Graduation activities conclude with the University Commencement Ceremony on Hearn Plaza.
The University Commencement Ceremony serves primarily as the graduation celebration for undergraduate students. There are remarks from the University President, the keynote speaker address, and the awarding of honorary degrees.
Graduate and professional students are invited to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony, are recognized as a group, and only participate in the first half of the ceremony. Graduate and professional students will be dismissed during a brief intermission before undergraduate names are called.
Tickets
Tickets, which are complimentary, are required for this event and must be ordered online by graduates from University Events. All guests require a ticket, including children and toddlers. Graduates do not need a ticket to attend graduation.
Staff and non-graduating students do not need tickets to attend the University Commencement Ceremony, but a valid Wake Forest ID must be presented.
Guest Seating
The University Commencement Ceremony lasts approximately one-and-a-half hours before the graduate and professional students are dismissed during a brief intermission. The event is held outdoors on Hearn Plaza. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and guests are encouraged to arrive early.
Parking
On-campus parking will be limited and every vehicle must have a Commencement parking pass to enter campus for graduation exercises. Parking passes will be included with each graduate’s ticket order. University Police will direct guests to available parking.
Clear Bag Policy and Bag Checks
As part of Wake Forest’s security measures, a clear bag policy and bag checks have been adopted for all Commencement activities. Guests are encouraged to consider the additional time needed for bag checks by security when planning their arrival. For the University Commencement Ceremony, bags will be checked at all entrances to Hearn Plaza. Guests are encouraged to assess the necessity of bringing a bag, as we aim to enhance efficiency and convenience for all patrons.
Inclement Weather
If there is a strong likelihood of inclement weather during the University Commencement Ceremony, it will take place in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum. A decision will be made on Sunday at noon and will be announced through the Wake Alert system. This includes the Law School website, the University website, email, a recorded message at 336.758.7059, social media, and local news media. Parking will be available at the Coliseum.
Special Needs
Graduates may exchange one parking pass for a special needs parking pass at ticket pickup. Vehicles with a special needs parking pass will be directed to the Special Needs Parking Lot on Long Drive where shuttles will transport guests to Hearn Plaza. There will be a designated special needs seating section near Zick's for guests in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty walking. Only one other guest can sit with special needs guests due to limited seating in this section.
Monday, May 20
University Commencement
9:00 am
Hearn Plaza
Livestream
A livestream of University Commencement will be available.
