Graduate Information
- Graduates are expected to be in professional attire for all required events.
- Review the Schedule of Events page for graduates’ arrival times, guest arrival times, and locations.
- Please have your steamed, wrinkle free graduation regalia with you.
- COM graduates should have: gown, hood, tam (cap), and tassel
- MAMS graduates should have: gown, hood, mortarboard (cap), and tassel
- After commencement ceremonies graduates, family members, and friends are invited to gather outside for photos and celebration.
- Graduates with guests who require accommodations will identify their needs on the Graduation Application. Also, please review the Venue Information website for accessibility information.
Guest Hooders
COM graduates should have their guest hooder arrive one hour prior to the start time of the ceremony. If they rented their regalia, after the ceremony and pictures with their graduate, guest hooders are required to return their regalia to the return station located in front of the Capitol Theatre.
Ceremony Venue & Ticketing
Ceremonies will be held at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima, WA. The historic performing arts theatre has served the community for nearly a century, and hosts an average of 175 events every year.
COM and MAMS graduates are allotted up to six tickets for family and friends, and are requested through the Graduation Application (guest hooders are included for COM graduate ticket allotment). We encourage students to request the total number of tickets they think they may need. Requests will be assessed after the March 1 Graduation Application deadline. We will do our best to accommodate requests but there is no guarantee.
Tickets will be emailed to graduates’ PNWU account the first or second week of April. Weeks prior to receiving tickets, graduates will be notified via email and Weekly Bulletin posts when to expect tickets and who to contact if there are any issues or questions.
- Those who request guest accessible seating, and the companion seat if needed, does count towards six allotted ticket number
- Guest Hooders do count towards six allotted ticket number (COM only)
- Children under 2 or can fit comfortably in an adult’s lap do not count towards six allotted ticket number
There will be Capitol Theatre ushers available for those who need assistance finding or getting to their seats. Questions about tickets or ticket assignments can be directed to registrar@pnwu.edu.
Seat Assignments
- The COM ceremony requires tickets for admission to the Capitol Theatre and seats are assigned. Seat assignments will be noted on the ticket.
- The MAMS ceremony requires tickets for admission to the Capitol Theatre but is open seating. Seats are not assigned.
- The Military Promotions ceremony does not require tickets and is open seating. Seats are not assigned.
Venue Guest Etiquette
- No balloons
- No sound devices such as mega phones, air horns
- No signs
- Do not climb over seats
Children’s Area
The Robertson Room, located on the lower level of the theatre, is provided as a children’s area for those who want to wiggle. An adult must remain with the child at all times. This is not a drop off child care area. For your convenience the ceremony will be streaming live to be viewed in the Robertson Room.
Live Streaming
For those family members and friends who cannot attend the commencement ceremony, there will be a live streaming option available. It can be accessed through the PNWU website.