Spring 2026 recognition ceremonies will take place throughout Thursday and Friday.

Students are to arrive at the Charles Hardcastle Kentucky Building at 6 p.m. on Thursday for the annual “Topper Walk”. Students are to gather with their respective academic colleges, whose representatives will be stationed in front of the building with banners. 

Guests can line the sidewalks on Avenue of Champions to watch graduates. The Houchens-Smith Stadium gates will also be open during this time for any individuals wanting to sit before the commencement ceremony.

The Topper Walk will begin at 6:30 p.m., where students will walk down the Hill to the Houchens-Smith Stadium. After each student is seated, the commencement ceremony will begin. The event will be held outdoors “rain or shine,” according to WKU’s website.

During the ceremony, each college will present speeches and acknowledge its graduates before WKU President Timothy Caboni presents the graduates to the Board of Regents.

After the Commencement Ceremony concludes, the Big Red Bash will be held on South Lawn for graduates and their guests. The event will include music, food vendors, and fireworks. Complimentary champagne will be offered to graduates.

College recognition ceremonies will take place the following morning at E.A. Diddle Arena. Each graduate will attend their academic college’s ceremony. Students are advised to arrive at Diddle’s Auxiliary Gym one hour in advance of their given ceremony time to form a line. During the individual recognition, students will walk on the stage, greet the president, and take their graduation photo.

Students are advised to bring their reader identification cards that were included in the March cap and gown pickup during the Spring Grad Fair to the recognition ceremony. 

If a student has lost or forgotten their card, they can pick up a new card from a designated table in the Auxiliary Gym and fill it out prior to walking the stage. Graduates will hand the card to the announcer immediately before heading on stage. 

Students may write the pronunciation of their name on their card or tell the announcer immediately before walking, according to WKU’s Instagram page.

The ceremonies will take place at the following times:

• Gordon Ford College of Business: 8 a.m.
• Potter College of Arts and Letters: 10:30 a.m.
• Ogden College of Science and Engineering: 1 p.m.
• College of Education and Behavioral Science: 3:30 p.m.
• College of Health and Human Services: 6:30 p.m.