MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University will welcome families and graduates for the May commencement ceremonies planned in Morgantown May 15-17.
WVU Director of University Events Kelly Flanagan said the number of graduates reflects recent record numbers reported in retention and graduation rates. The four-year graduation rate has risen more than 10 percent in the last eight years.
“We have just over 4,500 graduates earning their degrees this May,” Flanagan said. “So, it’s a very robust class, and we’re excited to celebrate with them this weekend.”
A total of nine ceremonies will be held in Hope Coliseum from Friday through Sunday. Normal rules will apply for the ceremonies, including the clear bag and inspection policy.
“We have three ceremonies on Friday, three ceremonies on Saturday, and three ceremonies on Sunday,” Flanagan said. “They are 9 a.m., midday noon or 12:30 p.m., and 4 or 4:30 p.m., and that’s the way we’ve scheduled them.”
Traffic all over the city of Morgantown is expected to be heavy through the weekend. Families are asked to follow the prompts of police and parking attendants in order to get in and out of the venue as quickly as possible.
“University Police and our parking attendants will be doing our best to get everyone in and out,” Flanagan said. “They do a great job; they’re very efficient, but there will still be some traffic, so if you’re headed over to the ceremonies, just give yourself plenty of time.”
Flanagan said they have allowed time for photo opportunities inside and around Hope Coliseum so families have time to enjoy the accomplishment of their graduate.
“We do allow some buffer time in there because we know it’s so important after the ceremony to take the photos,” Flanagan said. “A lot of them like to take some there in the venue, the concourse, and outside.”
Flanagan said compared to the December commencement, this one will be a marathon for President Michael T. Benson, his first May commencement as WVU president. Benson will offer remarks at the end of each before conferring the degrees.
“This will be his first May commencement, and May commencement is very different from December,” Flanagan said. “In December we have two ceremonies on one day, and in May we have nine over three days.”