Ceremony FAQ

All important updates, deadlines, and details about your graduation ceremony will be sent directly to your @mytwu inbox. Be sure to check it regularly, including your junk folder, so you don’t miss any key dates or next steps.

If, a month before your ceremony, you haven’t received any graduation-related emails, you must reach out to us through the Service Hub to confirm your participation in your graduation ceremony.

Yes. To participate in the ceremony, all graduands must complete their own ceremony registration, and guest tickets must be reserved in advance. Please note that the graduation eligibility email you receive is not your ceremony registration. You will receive a separate email with a link to register for your ceremony. Please ensure you complete your registration before the deadline to confirm your participation in your graduation ceremony. 

We would love for all your guests to celebrate this special milestone with you in person! To ensure fairness and maximize seating for all graduands, guest ticket distribution will follow these phases: 

Phase 1

Each graduand can register for a maximum of two complementary guest tickets until ceremony registration has closed.   

Phase 2

If tickets remain after Phase 1 closes, additional guest tickets will be released for purchase at $10 each. These will be available on a first‑come, first‑served basis at a maximum of two tickets per graduands until remaining capacity is filled. We aim to activate Phase 2 the week after ceremony registration closes. Registered graduands will receive an email once these tickets become available, so keep an eye on your @mytwu inbox for the best chance at securing additional tickets if they are available for your ceremony. 

Please remind your guests that a valid ticket is required for entry and must be presented at the door for scanning. Children under the age of two do not require a ticket to attend the ceremony. 

Guest seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seating at the front of the venue is reserved for graduands and faculty. 

Guest tickets are sent immediately to the email address you entered for each guest during registration. If you'd prefer to keep a copy for yourself, we recommend using your own email and then forwarding the tickets to your guests. 

To update a guest’s name, click the “Manage Order” button in your ticket confirmation email. From there, you can edit guest details, and the updated information will appear the next time you open the ticket. Please do not cancel your ticket, as doing so will result in the forfeiture of your guest ticket. 

Graduands may provide their preferred first and last name for use during the ceremony. This is the name that will be read aloud as you cross the stage. If you would like to update your preferred name, please submit a ticket through our Service Hub, and we’ll be happy to assist you. 

Graduands are required to register in advance to participate in the graduation ceremony. This allows us to plan effectively and ensure a smooth experience for everyone.

If you missed the registration deadline, you may request to be added to a waitlist. While the Graduation Planning Committee will do their best to accommodate as many waitlisted students as possible, attendance is not guaranteed.

If you prefer to defer your participation to the next graduation ceremony, that option is also available.

In either case, please submit a ticket through our Service Hub , and we’ll be happy to assist you.

No, if you are not attending your in-person ceremony, you do not need to register or notify us. However, we still encourage you and your loved ones to celebrate your achievement by watching the graduation ceremony video, which will be posted online a few days after the event. 
 

A graduand is an individual that is eligible to graduate but has not yet graduated. Once your degree has been presented, you become a graduate.

The baccalaureate service is a worship gathering held to honour and bless our undergraduate graduating class. It includes music, prayer, and a short message of encouragement as graduands prepare for their ceremony. 

Graduands who have not yet picked up their regalia must check in at Student Holding 90 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Graduands who have already picked up their regalia may check in 75 minutes before the ceremony. Late arrivals will not be permitted to participate, so please plan accordingly. 

We warmly encourage you to invite your friends and family to celebrate your achievements by watching the livestream of the graduation ceremony. A recorded video of the ceremony will also be emailed to all graduates a few days after the event. 

Yes, all parking on campus requires payment and is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

There will be no coat check available at the graduation ceremony. We recommend leaving bags, purses, and coats with family members before entering Student Holding. Please note that students will not be permitted to re-enter Student Holding once they have left, so plan accordingly and consider leaving valuables at home or with your guests.

Graduands will walk outside as part of the graduation process, so you should plan to bring an umbrella in case of rain. An umbrella drop-off area will be available right before you enter the gym, and you can pick up your umbrella again as you leave.

Please avoid leaving any valuables at the umbrella drop-off area, as we are not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

The length of the ceremony depends on the number of graduands participating. Typically, we aim for each ceremony to run approximately 75 to 90 minutes.

Undergraduate students are eligible to graduate with honours if their grade point average (GPA) places them within the top 20% (Distinction – blue cord) or top 10% (Great Distinction – gold cord) of their graduating class within their school or faculty. Honours cords are awarded based on GPAs calculated after the spring semester. 

If you are a graduand or guest with physical accessibility needs or mobility concerns, please open a ticket through the Service Hub at least one month prior to the ceremony. This will allow us time to make the necessary arrangements to support you.

Artona offers one official photo opportunity with the president during the graduation ceremony. A few weeks after the event, you will receive information on how to view and purchase your photo. Please note that these photos are not free and must be purchased directly through Artona.

You can view recordings of past TWU graduation ceremonies in our video gallery, linked below:

Watch previous ceremonies here

Graduands are not required to rent regalia in advance, but we strongly encourage you to do so. Renting early through Gaspard provides a discounted rate, ensures you receive the correct gown and hood for your program, and helps you avoid delays on the day of the ceremony. 

When renting through Gaspard, a valid credit card is required to reserve your regalia. Please make sure your order is fully completed and that you have received a confirmation receipt from Gaspard.

If you forget to rent regalia ahead of time, a limited number of gowns will be available to rent at the ceremony for a higher fee.
Please note that gowns purchased or obtained outside of Gaspard will not be permitted. 

There will be an opportunity for graduands to pick up their regalia in advance of the ceremony. More details will be shared closer to graduation. Undergraduate students planning to attend the spring baccalaureate service must pick up their regalia beforehand, as it is required for that event. 

Regalia cannot be collected by friends or family on your behalf, and you must be present to pick it up. 

If you are unable to pick up your regalia in advance, you will have another opportunity to collect it when you arrive at Student Holding, 90 minutes before your graduation ceremony start time (not arrival time). 

Please contact Gaspard directly for any cancellations, refunds, or changes to your regalia order. 

Please dress business casual. Sturdy footwear is recommended as graduands will be required to be standing for a long period of time. For our master’s students only; please note that your regalia does not have sleeves; plain dress shirts/blouses with full sleeves is preferred. 

The regalia return station will be open for one hour outside of Student Holding  after your ceremony. If you’re unable to return your regalia during that time, it will be your responsibility to contact Gaspard directly and arrange the return of your rental.

Please submit your questions through our Service Hub, and someone will respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.