Commencement Information

Caps and Gowns

All students participating in commencement are required to wear a black cap and gown. The WC black & gold tassel and diploma cover (which they are handed during the ceremony) must also be purchased. All gowns must be worn zipped up throughout the ceremony. Graduates failing to follow robe guidelines will not be eligible to participate. Regalia can be ordered in person at the Weatherford College Bookstore or online using the link below. 

Purchase Regalia

You are permitted (and highly encouraged) to decorate your cap. Decorations must adhere to the top (square portion) of the mortarboard and not extend beneath, on the sides, nor dangling from any part of the mortarboard.

Caps should be worn parallel to the floor, tassel on the right.

Stoles & Cords

Baccalaureate program candidates are also eligible to purchase the official Weatherford College white pennant stole with gold seal from the Weatherford College Bookstore. Candidates who already have a solid black cap & gown, are able to just purchase the tassel and diploma cover and pennant stole.

Please note that Weatherford College does not offer cords, stoles, or other recognition for Latin Honors recipients. Students may wear cords or stoles offered by national organizations recognized by Weatherford College of which they are member. Students must contact their associations for purchase of these items.

• PTK
• NSLS

Scholastic recognition for outstanding candidates will be announced as diplomas are presented. Honor designations are: Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors), Magna Cum Laude (High Honors), and Cum Laude (Honors). These honors are not recognized by cords or a designation in the printed program. Additionally, all honors announced at commencement are tentative. Official degree honors for diplomas and transcripts will be determined after final grades are reported.

National Honors Societies & Programs

Membership in honor societies and organizations is designated by the color cords or stoles draped around the graduates’ necks. Eligible students can wear optional cords and/or stoles for Weatherford College honors and organizations. Students should contact their individual organization regarding the cords/stoles. The current list, recognized by Weatherford College, is below:

WC Allied Health program candidates may also wear approved program pins and cords.

Parking

• Parking is $18 per vehicle (payable upon entry). Both garages will accept cash or credit cards. 
• Parking is available on a “first-come first-serve” basis in the FWCC parking garages, located at 1301 Commerce Street and 1100 Houston Street. 
• Parking map

Entrances

• Guest Tickets will NOT be required for entrance into arena.
• ALL commencement activities will be in the Arena, located on the North end of the FWCC
• Doors open to arena at 5:00 p.m.
• Graduates and Faculty entrance ONLY - Commerce Street Arena Lobby
• Guest entrance - 9^th Street Arena Lobby - primary entrance for guests.
• After the ceremony, all graduates should direct their guests to meet them at the Houston Street Arena Lobby, located on the West side of the facility.

Seating

Section 203 is reserved for deaf/hard of hearing guests who will need to view interpreters.

Rehearsal and Check In

There are no rehearsals for commencement. Graduates are expected to arrive at the Fort Worth Convention Center no less than 1 hour prior to their ceremony for processional assembly. Please allow extra time for parking and navigating to the Graduate Entrance located via the Commerce Street Arena Lobby, and extra time to utilize the video and selfie stations.

No guests will be allowed into the arena from the Graduate/Faculty entrance.

Guest entrance to the arena located via the 9^th Street Arena Lobby.

After the ceremony, all graduates should direct their guests to meet them at the Houston Street Arena Lobby, located on the West side of the facility.

Graduates should arrive at check-in dressed in regalia (cap, gown, stoles, and cords) no later than 5:00 pm.

Clothing and shoes should be comfortable. Graduates will be going up and down steps to receive their diploma. Square heels, low wedges or heels, flats, and tennis shoes are recommended.

Do not bring purses, bags, etc. Leave those items in a locked vehicle or with a family member for safe keeping. Please remember that there will be no secure place to leave valuables during the ceremony. 

Following the ceremony, all graduates should direct their guests to meet them at the Houston Street Arena Lobby, located on the West side of the facility.

Arena Regulations

Prohibited Items

The following are prohibited inside Fort Worth Convention Center during Commencement Ceremonies: laser pointers/laser pens, prohibited weapons, glass containers or cans of any kind.

• Helium filled balloons are NOT permitted in any part of the FWCC.
• Silly string/confetti is NOT permitted at the FWCC.
• Noisemakers are NOT permitted during the ceremony.
• Guests may NOT tape any signs on the arena doors/walls/windows.
• Seating is on a first-come, first served basis.  There will be NO EARLY admission to the Arena until concourse doors are unlocked and opened.

Diplomas

When you walk across the stage, you will be handed a diploma cover. If all your degree requirements are completed and all academic and financial obligations are met, diplomas will be mailed to graduates 2-4 weeks following the end of completion term, to the address graduate provided on the graduation application.

Commencement Media

Recording

Weatherford College will be recording the commencement ceremony. The video will be uploaded to the Weatherford College YouTube channel approximately 2 weeks following the event.

Photography

Flash Photography will be taking pictures during the commencement ceremony, Graduates will be contacted by Flash Photography to place orders. Graduates may contact Flash Photography at 817-924-2626.