Salt Lake City

August 16-17, 2024

Commencement Weekend in Salt Lake City

WGU 2024 Salt Lake City Commencement

School of Technology
& School of Business Convocation

Leavitt School of Health & School of Education Convocation

Commencement
Saturday, August 17*

Delta Center
300 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Commencement (All Graduates) Graduate Check-in Time: 8:00 am at Salt Palace Hall 5
Processional Led by Sage (All Graduates) from Salt Palace Hall 5 to Delta Center
Commencement (All Graduates) Ceremony Time: 9:30 am at Delta Center

Guest Seating: Doors Open at the Delta Center at 8:00 am

*Details subject to change.

School of Technology & School of Business Convocation
Saturday, August 17*

Delta Center
300 South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Graduate Check-In: 12:00 pm
Ceremony Time: 1:00 pm

*Details subject to change.

Leavitt School of Health & School of Education Convocation
Saturday, August 17*

Salt Palace Hall 5
90 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Check-In Time: 12:00 pm
Ceremony Time: 1:00 pm

*Details subject to change.

Alumni Celebration
Friday, August 16*

Salt Palace Convention Center Hall 4
90 S W Temple St
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

6:00-9:00 pm MDT

Celebration Entrance Located Next to Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown
215 W S Temple St
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Click here for more Alumni Celebration details

*Details subject to change

Questions regarding Alumni Celebration?
Contact us at alumnievents@wgu.edu

RSVP Information

To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in and only have your final course left, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or student teaching. If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met.

Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with “Final Course” in subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.

For more information, review the Commencement Ceremony Participation Guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu or by phone 385.428.2085.

Attention iOS users (iPhone/iPad): please use Chrome or Firefox browser to submit your ceremony RSVP form. If you use Safari (default iOS browser) to complete your RSVP form, you will receive a false application rejection message. If uncertain, please complete the ceremony RSVP form on a computer rather than your iOS device.

Salt Lake City Commencement Deadlines:

RSVP
Deadline: Closed
Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: Closed
Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
Cap & Gown Ordering
Deadline: Closed
Philanthropy Cord
Spirit Necklace

Salt Lake City Commencement Details:

Parking & Bag Policies

Information Coming Soon!

Hotel Discounts

Information Coming Soon!

Alumni Celebration in Chicago

Friday, September 22

Information Coming Soon!

Keynote Speaker

Information Coming Soon!

Bachelor's Ceremony Graduate Speakers

Information Coming Soon!

Master's Ceremony Graduate Speakers

Information Coming Soon!

National Anthem Singers

Information Coming Soon!

Learn More About Commencement Day

Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.

Stay Up-to-Date with Salt Lake City Commencement!

Download the commencement app to stay up to date with all things on commencement weekend!

Alumni Celebration in Salt Lake City

Friday, August 16, 6:00-9:00pm MT

Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!

All graduates attending the 2024 WGU Commencement in Salt Lake City are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 4.

This family-friendly, come-and-go event is free to attend, and we encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire.

At the celebration, you can:

Free professional portraits: Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a free professional portraits - courtesy of WGU!
Meet with local employers for career opportunities
Reconnect with Alumni in your area
Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad
Meet Sage the Night Owl
Enjoy lite bites, dessert, refreshments and a cash bar.
Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist

Come for the networking, stay for the fun.

*Please note: 2024 Salt Lake City graduates are allowed to bring up to five (5) total guests, and invited special alumni guests are allowed to bring up to three (3) total guests.

Contact Information:
WGU Alumni Celebration contact: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Alumni Celebration ADA and accessibility: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Commencement questions: commencement@wgu.edu

Parking Details

Park Place is located at 50 N 300 W Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Parking for Graduates and their guests is $5.00 per vehicle. The entrance to the Alumni Celebration is across the street of Park Place, right next to the Radisson Hotel. It is highly recommended that you enter through these doors by using the following address 215 W S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

Lyft/Uber Details

For all rideshares, request to be dropped off at the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, 215 W S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Doors for Hall 4 are located right next to the hotel.

Date: August 16, 2024

Time: 6-9 pm, MT

Location:
Salt Palace Convention Center Hall 4
90 S W Temple St
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Keynote Speaker

Claudia Romo Edelman
Founder & CEO of We Are All Humna and "A La Latina" Podcast

Claudia Romo Edelman is a marketing expert, social entrepreneur, activist, philanthropist, and investor.

A former diplomat and journalist, Claudia is an expert on environmental, social, and governance, particularly in mobilizing corporations to advance the Social Agenda with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her career includes 3 decades working for the United Nations, UNICEF, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She has participated in the creation and launch of global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Product (RED).

Since 2017, Ms. Romo Edelman has served as the Founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation, a New York-based non-profit organization devoted to advancing the agenda of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focused on unifying the U.S. Hispanic community. Under her leadership, We Are All Human has launched a number of initiatives and frameworks to advance the progress of Latinos by mobilizing Corporate America and increasing Latino perception and representation. We Are All Human partners with more than 300 companies and 100 of the most important Hispanic organizations representing more than 10 million Latinos.

She is the Co-host of the podcast “A la Latina: the playbook to succeed being your authentic self,” which unveils success secrets from accomplished Latinas in Corporate America’s C-Suite. She is also currently starting a family business in a Mexican spirit called sotol.

Ms. Romo holds a Master’s degree in Political Communication from the London School of Economics. Claudia is a speaker, a frequent columnist and has published 9 books to date on Hispanic-related topics and is recipient of numerous awards, including People Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Latinas, ALPFA’s 50 Most Powerful Latinas 2019 and 2020, Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2019, Mexicanos Distinguidos in 2023.

Claudia serves on the boards of Canoo and is in the Advisory Team of Touch Capital. She is a board nominee of Chobani, along with several non-for-profit organizations such as the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, Friends of the Latino Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, KIND (Kids in Need of Defense).

Claudia has two children, enjoys sports with her husband, and speaks six languages.

Honorary Degree

Dr. Charles W. Sorenson
Founding Director of the Intermountain Healthcare Leadership Institute & President and CEO Emeritus of Intermountain Healthcare

Dr. Sorenson is the Founding Director of the Intermountain Healthcare Leadership Institute where he provides executive coaching to senior healthcare leaders around the United States. He is also President and CEO Emeritus of Intermountain Healthcare having served as CEO from 2009 to 2016. Prior to this, Dr. Sorenson acted as chief operating officer for 11 years and worked for decades as a urologic surgeon at the Utah-based, nonprofit hospital system—continuing to perform urologic cancer surgery even after moving into the C-suite.

In addition to his passion for healthcare, Dr. Sorenson has been committed to high quality, affordable education as a pathway to opportunity. He served on WGU’s Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023, spending his final four years as Chair of the Board. Dr. Sorenson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Utah and a Doctor of Medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University. He is a board-certified urologic surgeon, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah.

Commencement Graduate Speaker

Crystal Pickering
Herriman, UT
M.S. IT Management

Growing up in Spokane, WA, Crystal Pickering experienced significant change and instability, moving from foster care to her grandparents’ care and then back to foster care. Her post-high school years brought new responsibilities. She became a mother of two while supporting her then-husband's military service in Louisiana. Another life changing event happened when she moved back to her home state after her divorce to focus on raising her two children.

Crystal eventually found love again with Todd. With her new relationship, she moved to Utah where Crystal and Todd married and have been building a life together since 2007. Crystal’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through when she opened a business with her best friend, but craving more knowledge, she decided to return to academia. She earned her B.S. Information Technology degree from Utah Valley University and decided to further her education by pursuing a M.S. Informational Technology degree at WGU.

Crystal is a mother of five, ages ranging from 9 to22, and has a golden retriever pup named Belle. Crystal balances family life with her professional endeavors, celebrating her children's achievements, including one who is serving active duty in the Army.

Leavitt School of Health and School of Education Convocation Graduate Speakers

Lisa Hallam
Springfield, MO
M.S. Healthcare Administration

Since 2023, Lisa Hallam has been the CEO of Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield, MO. She oversees hospital operations while ensuring exceptional patient and employee experiences.

Lisa first joined Select Specialty Hospital as the CNO in 2020, during the peak of COVID-19. She brought 35 years of hospital leadership and operational experience to her role. Lisa earned her B.S. Nursing degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and is earning her Master of Healthcare Administration degree from WGU, further enhancing her expertise.

Jenifer Oldright
Kent, WA
M.A. English Language Learning

Jenifer Oldright is a dedicated second-grade teacher at the Seattle Christian School in SeaTac, Washington. She earned her B.A. Elementary Education degree in 1996 and is celebrating her M.A. English Language Learning from WGU. Jenifer’s teaching background includes public, private, and homeschool.

Jenifer is a proud mother of five whom she affectionately refers to as her “Fab Five.” During her free time, Jennifer can be found spending time with her family and friends, hiking, exploring local farmers markets and festivals, going on roads trips, or smelling candles in small-town gift shops.

Jenifer is inspired by the words of C.S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

School of Technology and School of Business Convocation Graduate Speakers

Carly Donner
Salt Lake City, UT
M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Captain Carly Donner was adopted from an orphanage in China by her U.S. parents who raised her in Louisville, Colorado.

In 2018, she earned her B.S. in Honors Systems Engineering. After earning her degree, she held various roles within the U.S. Marine Corps, including serving as Company Executive Officer in Japan. She currently serves as the Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Salt Lake City, UT. In 2024, she obtained her M.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from WGU. She currently resides in Salt Lake City with her husband Captain Matthew Price.

Byron Tate
Kurtistown, HI
M.S. Management and Leadership

Proud husband and father of seven children and seven grandchildren, Byron Tate is earning his master’s degree after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1994. Byron worked in the high-tech industry for 22 years; for 18 of those years, he has been an entrepreneur. He resides on the Big Island of Hawaii where he and his wife operate a business running E-bike tours through Volcanoes National Park.

Byron is sharing his graduation day with his youngest daughter, Julia. They are both celebrating their M.S. Management and Leadership degrees.

National Anthem Singer

Doug Ingram
Centerville, UT
B.A. Educational Studies - Elementary Education

Douglas T. Ingram is a seasoned professional with over 17 years of combined experience in education and transportation. He currently serves as a Routing Coordinator for the Davis School District Transportation Department in Davis County, Utah. Doug is celebrating earning his B.S. Elementary Education degree. He is looking forward to putting the principles he’s learned into practice to ensure a positive learning environment for students from the moment they step on the bus.

Doug, his wife, and their two daughters reside in Centerville, Utah, where they enjoy aviation, auto racing, music, and theater. A certified rotorcraft pilot and veteran of many bands and performing groups, Doug is used to adrenaline-fueled thrills like performing our national anthem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Salt Lake City FAQs

As the university continues to see steady growth, new commencement models will be introduced to deliver the best graduate experience possible. In Salt Lake City, one large gathering with all graduates will take place on Saturday morning (Commencement) with smaller college-focused convocations taking place on Saturday afternoon. The Alumni Celebration will remain on Friday evening for graduates and their guests.

The commencement ceremony features remarks by university leaders, a graduate speaker, and our keynote. All graduates will be recognized in a conferral for all. This is the ceremony where bachelor's graduates turn their tassel from one side of their cap to the other.

The convocation ceremony is where each graduate will have their moment in the spotlight and walk across the stage to be recognized individually. Graduates will gather by their college or school for more personalized ceremonies.

For the full commencement experience, we encourage graduates to attend both commencement and convocation ceremonies as they complement each other. In addition, we recommend attending the Alumni Celebration which provides fun, food, and entertainment for graduates and their guests.

A commencement guidebook will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate with check-in details, parking, maps, and more.

Yes, please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for each ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.

No, graduates will have their names read during their college or school specific convocation ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Graduate names will be read during the convocation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. Please see the commencement page for the schedule and further details.

The Saturday morning commencement ceremony is typically one and a half hours.

The college and school convocation ceremonies will typically last one and a half hours.

Graduates are welcome to participate together in the same convocation ceremony, even if it isn’t the college or school they graduated from. Please attend the ceremony that works best for you and your family member.

A commencement guidebook with check in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.

Graduates are recommended to bring up to 8 guests, but tickets are not required to enter the commencement ceremony. Please feel free to bring additional guests. Graduates do not need to update their initial guest count with the Commencement Office.

Tickets are not required for WGU commencement weekend events.

Policies vary by location and venue. Please consult the commencement app or commencement guidebook for further details two weeks prior to the ceremony date.

Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.

You can watch the commencement ceremony at the WGU YouTube channel at any point after the start of the ceremony.

The commencement photos are usually available 2-3 weeks after commencement. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/

Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to BenefitHub to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Ceremony FAQs

A commencement guidebook with check in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.

Tickets are not required for WGU commencement weekend events.

The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement paricipants' names wil be read.

Policies vary by location and venue. Please consult the commencement app or commencement guidebook for further details two weeks prior to the ceremony date.

Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.

You can watch the commencement ceremony at the WGU YouTube channel at any point after the start of the ceremony.

The commencement photos are usually available 2-3 weeks after commencement. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/

Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to BenefitHub to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Ceremony Participation & RSVP FAQs

There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. Graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.

Tickets are not required for commencement weekend events.

Generally, the commencement ceremony lasts 2 hours.

Yes, it is possible for a commencement ceremony to reach capacity. We suggest that you submit an RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.

Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines the eligibility for commencements. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu

Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must complete two steps.

Submit either your Graduation Application or be enrolled in and only have your final course remaining, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or student teaching.

a. Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in the subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
Once the Graduation Application is submitted or final course exception is approved, submit an RSVP via the commencement web site (available at wgu.edu/commencement).

If you don't currently meet either of these requirements, wait to RSVP until one of the requirements is met.

No, the graduation application process is separate from submitting a RSVP to a commencement weekend. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption, you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at commencement.

Yes, the ceremony RSVP form is a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates your name card for the announcer. 

After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk inbox. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP. Please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.

No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day of (walk-up) will be permitted.

Graduates may walk in one commencement ceremony per degree. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.

A Grad Pass is a digital QR code issued to each graduate registered for an in-person ceremony the week of commencement. It contains the information that will be displayed on the screen as your name is read and you cross the stage. Graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.

Regalia FAQs

Oak Hall Cap and Gown is the official regalia vendor (caps, gowns, and hoods) for WGU. You can place your order via the website or call 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department. The official regalia color for graduates is navy.  For visual reference, please see our bachelor’s regalia video and our master’s regalia video. 

For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order a cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel. For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order a cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.

The following master’s hoods are available for purchase at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website:

Education - blue
Business (all MBAs) - drab
Information Technology - gold
Nursing – apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management - salmon
Master of Health Leadership - sage green

You can order a tassel at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website, or by calling 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department.

Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes on their gowns. Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the international honor society of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at http://www.kdp.org.

Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear the tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.

A graduate should wear academic attire appropriate to the awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a master's gown as an individual item on the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.

WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided with a military honor cord. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up at the Alumni Celebration or at Commencement during graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or on active duty.

Graduates are permitted to decorate their caps and wear sashes with their regalia. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap or wearing a sash for commencement:

WGU does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.

Philanthropy Cords FAQs

The Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord that WGU graduates often wear with their cap and gown at commencement. The Philanthropy Cord is not only a physical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU, but also more importantly supports a philanthropic legacy that will last for future generations of WGU students.

Graduates can receive a Philanthropy Cord by making a gift of $25 or more to WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. To donate, graduates can text “WGUCord” to 41-444 or visit this link.

All WGU Philanthropy Cord donations support WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation

For in-person commencements, you may choose to have your Philanthropy Cord mailed to you or picked up at Commencement by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in before Commencement.

For virtual commencements, Philanthropy Cords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.

WGU Advancement is the official fundraising arm at WGU dedicated to attracting, allocating, and putting dollars to work so more students have access to an affordable, quality education. WGU Advancement’s operation is the next step in WGU’s ever-growing obsession with students’ success, and a way for the increasing number of WGU graduates, donors, and partners to pay it forward.

Thank you for your generous support! You can donate to the Fellow Night Owl Scholarship by texting “WGUGrad” to 41-444 or by visiting this link.

Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs

Yes, students may send an email to records@wgu.edu with the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documents containing information about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student to forward them to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.