Celebrating the Class of 2022

Commencement is an exciting time for our graduates and the University community. Graduates, their families and friends, our faculty, and other community members gather to celebrate the culmination of a considerable academic accomplishment.

At the School of Law, Commencement is comprised of two major events: the law school Hooding Ceremony and the University Graduation Exercises. Graduates and their guests are encouraged to participate in both of these special events.

Tickets, which are complimentary, are required for both the Hooding Ceremony and Graduation Exercises. Out-of-town guests should make travel arrangements and hotel accommodations early.

Livestreams of the Hooding Ceremony and Graduation Exercises will be available on this website for anyone who is unable to attend.

Law School Hooding Ceremony

Commencement starts with the law school Hooding Ceremony, a special recognition for graduates receiving law degrees. During the ceremony, each graduate is individually recognized and all degrees are conferred.

The JD doctoral hood that graduates receive signifies his or her success in completing their law 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 8 complimentary tickets to the Hooding Ceremony. Children two and under do not need a ticket to enter if sitting on a lap (if their own seat is needed a ticket would be required).

Please do not bring extra family members to the venue without a ticket. No extra tickets will be available. Eight tickets are the limit for each graduate.

Seating is on a first-come first-served basis, and seats may not be held for late arriving guests. 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 1:30 pm. Guests should arrive in time to park, go 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 not to bring bags, but there will be a bag check when entering the venue. The law school Hooding Ceremony occurs after another event in Wait Chapel. Doors will open as soon as the previous ceremony has concluded, and the guests have exited the building.

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 at the right-front entrance of the chapel and there are rows designated for wheelchairs.

Photography

During the ceremony, each graduate will cross the stage and receive their hood. A professional photographer will take pictures which will be sent to graduates' Wake Forest email address. Only Wake Forest photographers are allowed at the front of the chapel during the ceremony.

Graduation Exercises

Commencement culminates with the University Graduation Exercises on Hearn Plaza.

The Graduation Exercises include graduates of all Wake Forest schools. There are remarks from the University President, the keynote speaker address, and the awarding of honorary degrees. During this ceremony, law students will be recognized in groups based on the degree being awarded.

Please note that the graduate and professional schools only participate in the first half of Graduation Exercises. At approximately 10:30 am, law school graduates will leave Hearn Plaza in a recessional led by faculty marshals.

Tickets

Tickets, which are complimentary, are required for this event and must be ordered online before May 1. There is a limit of 8 tickets per graduates and all guests require a ticket including children and toddlers. Graduates do not need a ticket to attend graduation. Additional tickets may be requested online.

Staff and non-graduating students do not need tickets to attend Graduation Exercises, but they must show a valid Wake Forest ID.

Guest Seating

The Graduation Exercises last approximately one and a half hours and are held outdoors on Hearn Plaza. Seating is on a first-come basis, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Additional Guest Information »

Parking

On-campus parking will be limited and every vehicle must have a Commencement parking pass to enter campus for Graduation Exercises. Two parking passes will be included with each graduate’s ticket order. University Police will direct guests to available parking.

Additional Parking Information »

Inclement Weather

If there is a strong likelihood of inclement weather during Graduation Exercises, Commencement 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.

Inclement Weather Plan »

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.