Commencement

2024 Commencement Celebrations

Honors Convocation

Thursday, April 11, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center
3300 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301

Senior Dinner

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6 p.m.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
311 W. 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42301

Learn more & get your tickets here!

Baccalaureate

Friday, May 3, 2024, 7 p.m.
Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center
3300 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301
*Wear cap & gown

Commencement

Senior Gift Unveiling: Friday, May 3, 2024,1 p.m.
Administration Building Lobby (1st Floor)

Senior Picture*: Friday, May 3, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Front steps of Administration Building
*Wear cap & gown

Graduation Practice: Friday, May 3, 2024, 2 p.m.
Owensboro Christian Church
2818 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303

Commencement Ceremony: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Owensboro Christian Church
2818 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303
*Wear cap & gown

8 a.m.: Arrive for breakfast and photos
9 a.m.: Doors open for family and friends (Note: Doors will NOT be open prior to 9 a.m.)
9:30 a.m.: Graduates line up
10 a.m.: Ceremony

 

  • Ticketing and Overflow/Livestream Information

    • Each graduate will receive 6 tickets to be picked up with regalia at the Martin Alumni Center April 25-26.

      For those unable to join us in person, Commencement will be live streamed on this page, and overflow seating will be available at the Jack T. Wells Activity Center located at: 3300 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY 42301.

    • FAQ’s About Commencement Tickets

      Q: How many tickets do we get?
      A: Every graduate will receive 6 tickets. This number is calculated based on our number of graduates and the capacity at Owensboro Christian Church.

      Q: When do we get our Commencement tickets?
      A: You’ll pick up your tickets during Cap & Gown Pickup April 25-26.

      Q: I didn’t buy a cap & gown. When do I get my tickets?
      A: You’ll still get your tickets during Cap & Gown Pickup on April 25-26.

      Q: I can’t pick up my tickets up at that time. What do I do?
      A: Just shoot Summer Aldridge ’14 an email at summer.aldridge@kwc.edu and she’ll work it out with you. Please note: If you can’t get them during the scheduled pickup times, you will be getting them after pickups.

      Q: I don’t need all of my tickets. What should I do?
      A: You’re welcome to give them to other graduates who need additional tickets. If you don’t know of anyone needing extra tickets, I suggest announcing that you have extras on your personal social media and in the campus groups you are a part of.

      Q: I need more tickets. What should I do?
      A: I suggest posting that on your social media and also in your campus group meetings so that people know you’re on the lookout for more.
      *When posting on your social media, beware of scammers who love to comment on posts that use words like “tickets.” 

      Q: Can I buy more tickets?
      A: Additional tickets are not available for purchase from the school.

      Q: Do children need a ticket?
      A: Small children (2 years and under) do not need a ticket, but they will need to sit in someone’s lap during the ceremony.

      Q: Who decided we get 6 tickets?
      A: That number was calculated based on the number of graduates we have and the legal capacity of Owensboro Christian Church.

      Q: I heard people got in without a ticket last year. I’m just going to tell my family to come anyways and someone will let them in.
      A: First, that’s not a question. Second, that’s not true. We will have security onsite at Commencement all morning, so I strongly discourage you from telling your loved ones to “just show up” or “just walk in.” They will leave disappointed.

      Q: More than 6 people want to watch me graduate… What do I do?
      A: We’ll have overflow seating at the Wells Activity Center (3300 Frederica) and a ticket will not be required for entry. We’ll also have a livestream.

      Q: I have family coming in to see me graduate and need more tickets… What do I do?
      A: We’ve communicated the number of tickets each graduate will get since the fall and the number has always been 6. I suggest having them watch the livestream and then meeting them to celebrate after.

      Q: There are faculty/staff/coaches who love me and want to see me graduate… Why don’t they get a ticket?
      A: You can remind them that any faculty/staff/coach will get a ticket to Commencement if they work as a volunteer that morning. Becca McQueen Ruark is organizing that. Otherwise, they can watch the livestream.  

      Again, if you have specific questions (including those regarding ADA seating), please direct those to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@kwc.edu as they are the department that oversees Commencement.

      We appreciate your attention and respect to these rules. They were not made to diminish your accomplishments nor make Commencement weekend a burden for you and your family. With a graduating class of your size, 6 tickets was the maximum we could give each graduate while also adhering to safety guidelines at Owensboro Christian Church.

       

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  • Parking and Entrance Information

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    • Family and friends should park near and enter at the church’s main entrance, Entrance B (which faces New Hartford Road). Students, faculty, staff, and trustees should park near and enter at Entrance A, which is located around the left side of the building from the main entrance.

 

  • Regalia Information

    • Regalia orders are now open. The deadline to order regalia for 2024 Commencement is Feb. 15, 2024. Pickups will be 4/25-4/26/24.

    • For questions and more information on cap & gown orders, please contact the Office of Engagement located in the Martin Alumni Center – (270) 852-3140 or summer.aldridge@kwc.edu.

 

  • Hotel Information

    • TownePlace Suites has offered guests traveling in for KWC’s Commencement a discounted room rate of $124/night for those who book by 4/2/24. Click here to reserve your room or use the list below to find other options! 
    • Comfort Suites230 Salem Dr.(270) 926-7675
      Wingfield Inn & Suites3220 West Parrish Ave.(270) 685-2433
      Courtyard by Marriott3120 Highland Pointe Dr.(270) 685-4140
      Days Inn3720 New Hartford Rd.(270) 684-9621
      Fairfield Inn800 Salem Dr.(270) 688-8887
      Hampton Inn South615 Salem Dr.(270) 926-2006
      Holiday Inn Downtown701 West Second St.(270) 683-1111
      Sleep Inn51 Bon Harbor Hills Dr.(270) 691-6200
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