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Fall 2023 Commencement
Saturday, December 9
Scott Northern Wake Campus
Fall commencement ceremonies are for Fall semester graduates. They will have an opportunity to have their names called as they cross the stage and have their photos taken with Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls.
Each ceremony will be available to view via livestream on the Wake Tech website for families and friends unable to attend the event in person.
All graduation communications will be sent to the graduate's Wake Tech email account.
Regalia (cap and gown) orders
Regalia, consisting of a cap, gown and tassel, is required for any graduate who would like to participate in the commencement ceremony. Regalia must be ordered directly from Herff Jones, and orders that do not contain a full regalia set do not fulfill the requirements to attend the graduation ceremony. The price for full regalia is $53.98, plus tax and shipping.
The deadline to purchase regalia for the Fall 2023 graduation is October 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Students who miss the deadline may participate in the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony, provided they meet the posted deadlines.
Submitting your graduation application in Self-Service and ordering your graduation regalia directly from Herff Jones reserves your seat for the ceremony. Graduates who purchased regalia in a semester other than the current semester needed to email [email protected] by October 1 to confirm their attendance.
Regalia is not available for students who miss the deadline, and used or borrowed regalia is not permitted.
Regalia will be mailed to the address provided by the graduate at the time the order is placed.
NOTE: All questions related to regalia orders should be directed to Barry Waseleski with Herff Jones at [email protected]. The Registrar's Office is unable to provide updates or tracking information on regalia orders.
A confirmation email will be sent electronically after regalia orders are placed. Any graduate who does not receive a confirmation email should contact Barry Waseleski to ensure his or her order was successfully completed. Herff Jones is unable to accept requests for late orders.
Disability Support Services
Graduates with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations to attend commencement must call the Wake Tech Disability Support Services Office by November 1 at 919-866-5670 (voice) or 919-324-3833 (Sorenson Video Phone) to ensure accommodations are in place.
Accommodations for guests with disabilities are available on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Guests with mobility issues will be able to have their tickets scanned at the graduate entrance in the front of the gymnasium. All other guests must enter through the guest entrance in the back of the gymnasium.
Marching Order portal
Wake Tech has partnered with Marching Order to provide students and their guests with a seamless graduation experience. The Marching Order portal allows graduates to verify name and degree information, access guest tickets and GradPasses and record the pronunciation of their names to ensure they are pronounced correctly as the graduates cross the stage.
The Marching Order portal will open in late October. Graduates should check their Wake Tech email account for an email from Marching Order that provides information on registering their account. Marching Order portal opening dates will be provided to graduates who have ordered regalia and submitted a graduation application at a later date. The deadline for graduates to upload their name recording submissions will be announced in late October. Late name-recording submissions cannot be accepted for any reason.
Graduates attending commencement are strongly encouraged to submit a name recording through Marching Order, as names will be recorded by an outside vendor to be read aloud at the ceremony.
Graduates will be able to access their graduation tickets and GradPass in the Marching Order portal until the day of the ceremony. Each graduation ticket has a unique barcode, so graduates should not forward the same ticket to multiple guests – each guest must have his or her own individual ticket.
Guests who are unable to retrieve their tickets through email should be given printed copies of their tickets by the graduate. Graduates should not send any tickets to the graduation inbox, as the Registrar's Office does not handle ticket distribution.
Tickets
Tickets are required to gain entrance into the ceremony. Each graduate will receive a predetermined allotment of guest tickets; no additional tickets will be available. Ticket allotments will be announced no later than November 1. Graduates will be able to retrieve guest tickets in their Marching Order portal once it opens.
Tickets will be scanned as guests enter the graduation event. Tickets can be scanned only once and cannot be duplicated. The graduation event will be livestreamed for individuals who do not have a ticket. Guests who arrive after the ceremony starts may be denied entry.
- Graduates do not need a ticket.
- Guests will be able to be seated beginning one hour prior to the start of the graduation event.
- Every guest must have an admission ticket, including children over the age of 2.
- Children 2 and under may attend without a ticket, but the child must sit on an adult's lap. Any child 2 and under taking a seat will need a ticket. Baby carriers and strollers are not permitted.
- There are no options for graduates to request or purchase additional tickets.
- Graduates should not forward one ticket to multiple guests, as each ticket has a unique barcode.
- Graduates should refrain from sending tickets to the graduation inbox, as the Registrar's Office does not handle ticket distribution.
- Any guest without email access will need to be given a printed ticket by the graduate.
Ceremony
- Arrive early – at least 45 minutes before your ceremony start time – to allow for check-in and line-up. There is no rehearsal, and no one will be allowed to join the processional line once it starts.
- Dress appropriately in dressy or business casual clothing underneath your regalia. Graduates without proper attire will not be allowed to participate. Graduate line-up is on a different level than the ceremony, so appropriate footwear is advised, as you will be standing for periods of time as well as navigating stairs during the processional.
- Do not bring personal belongings other than your regalia, GradPass and photo ID. Storage is not available. Your GradPass must be taken to the stage with you; do not leave it in your chair.
- Act appropriately. Graduates whose behavior detracts from the dignity and importance of the occasion will not be allowed to participate.
- Parking details will be provided closer to the ceremony.
- Signs and Wake Tech staff will direct you to the graduate line-up area. Line-up will be inside Building K for graduates attending the ceremony.
- GradPasses – Each graduate who purchased regalia will receive a special QR code from Marching Order to scan in as he or she crosses the stage. Graduates are encouraged to print this QR code and bring it with them to the ceremony to avoid technical difficulties. Graduates can also choose to have the QR code on their phones rather than a printed version. Graduates with screen protectors or cracked phone screens will need to print out their QR codes to avoid technical difficulties.
- Professional photographs will be taken of each graduate on stage and made available for purchase after commencement. Graduates will receive a free color proof with a password for viewing photos online. They can arrange to receive an email notification when photos are posted by preregistering with Photo Specialties. Students who do not receive a proof within one week should email [email protected] or call 800-722-7033.
- The ceremony typically lasts one hour and starts on time. Families and friends of graduates will also be able to watch the celebration through a livestream link.
- Safety and security measures will include the monitoring of all items entering the facility. No one will be permitted to enter with the following items:
- Weapons (including pocket knives, Tasers, Mace and firearms)
- Balloons
- Noise makers
- Baby strollers and/or carriers
- Book bags, backpacks, briefcases, etc.
- Gifts or packages of any kind
- Flowers or floral arrangements
- Food or drink
- Other items deemed inadmissible by security personnel
Updates and reminders
- Download the Wake Tech App, turn on notifications to receive important updates before the ceremonies.
- Follow us on Twitter @WTCCRegistrar with #WTGrad23.
Frequently asked questions
Students who are completing their degree or diploma requirements at the end of the Fall 2023 semester are invited to attend the Fall commencement ceremony.
In order to reserve a seat at the ceremony, graduates are required to submit their graduation application in Self-Service and order regalia through Herff Jones by October 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Graduates are required to have regalia (cap and gown) if they wish to attend the ceremony, and the regalia ordering deadline is October 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Orders will be mailed directly from Herff Jones to the address the listed when the order was completed.
All graduation regalia is handled exclusively through Herff Jones. The Registrar's Office is unable to provide information on regalia orders. All questions related to regalia orders should be directed to the Barry Waseleski with Herff Jones at [email protected].
All regalia orders must be placed directly through the Herff Jones website. The deadline to order regalia for the Fall 2023 commencement is October 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Students who missed the deadline may participate in the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony, provided they meet the posted deadlines.
Herff Jones is unable to accept late order requests.
Orders placed with Herff Jones will be mailed to the address provided by the student at the time of the order. Orders will be mailed to students within two weeks of placing the order. Please refer to your order confirmation for more information.
All graduation regalia is handled exclusively through Herff Jones. The Registrar's Office is unable to provide information on regalia orders. All questions related to regalia orders should be directed to the Barry Waseleski with Herff Jones at [email protected].
No. A space will be reserved at the ceremony only for graduates who purchase their regalia directly from the graduation vendor, Herff Jones, by the October 1 deadline.
We may be able to help! Email [email protected] by September 25 at 5 p.m. to discuss your options. Requests received after September 25 will be denied.
If you purchased your regalia in a previous term – for example, a student who purchased regalia in Spring 2023 but didn't graduate or chose not to attend the ceremony and now wants to walk – you need to email [email protected] by October 1 to let us know about your situation.
Students who fall under this unique situation will not be on any communication lists, nor will they have a space reserved at the ceremony unless we were notified by October 1.
When completing the regalia order through Herff Jones, graduates are required to use their Wake Tech email address. All graduation notifications will be sent to the student's Wake Tech email address.
If you are a parent ordering on behalf of a graduate, be sure to use the student's name and Wake Tech email address when completing the order.
Failure to use a Wake Tech email address may result in the graduate not receiving important graduation communications and updates.
No. Students are required to use their Wake Tech email address on the regalia ordering form. We will send graduation updates only to the student's Wake Tech email address. Failure to use the student's Wake Tech email address may result in the student not receiving important graduation updates.
Parents purchasing regalia on behalf of a student should use that student's Wake Tech email address.
All successfully placed orders for full graduation regalia – cap, gown and tassel – will receive a confirmation email after the order is placed. Any graduate who does not receive a confirmation email should immediately email Barry Waseleski with Herff Jones at [email protected].
Graduates who do not meet the regalia ordering deadline may attend the next graduation event.
All graduation regalia is handled exclusively through Herff Jones. The Registrar's Office is unable to provide information on regalia orders.
Unfortunately, regalia is not available for graduates who miss the deadline. However, graduates who miss the deadline can request to attend the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony by emailing [email protected].
No. Space will be reserved at the ceremony only for graduates who purchase a full regalia set – cap, gown and tassel – directly from the graduation vendor, Herff Jones, by the October 1 deadline.
Regalia that is purchased from or borrowed from another student or former student is not allowed for any reason. Students in need of financial assistance in order to purchase their regalia can email [email protected] by September 25 at 5 p.m. to discuss their options.
The Registrar's Office does not distribute honor cords. Graduates who are members of honor societies must reach out to the appropriate office:
- American Institute of Architecture Students (light blue cords): Contact the program director/club advisor
- Honors program (navy/gold cords): Contact the program director
- National Society of Leadership and Success/Sigma Alpha Phi (black/silver cords): Contact the program director
- National Technical Honor Society (purple and silver cords/tassel): Complete the online request form to participate in the chapter's group order
- Phi Beta Lambda (yellow stoles): Contact the program director
- Phi Theta Kappa (gold stole/tassel): Contact the program director
- SALUTE: National Veterans Honor Society (white stole): Contact Patrick Tribble at [email protected]
- Service-learning program (green cords): Contact the program director
- Sigma Delta Mu/Spanish Honor Society (red/gold cords): Contact the program director
- Student Ambassadors (purple cords): Contact the program director
- Student government officers (red cords): Contact the program director
- Veteran students (red/white/blue cords): Contact Michael McLamb at 919-866-5301 or [email protected]
- Wake Tech orientation leaders (navy/white cords): Contact the New Student Orientation coordinator
All credentials are posted to the student's account within 10 business days from the last day of the semester. Students who complete their credential during a Fall semester may not see the information posted until the third week of January, due to winter break office closures.
Students can verify the posting of their credential by logging into Self-Service and viewing their "unofficial transcript." If it's been more than than 10 business days from the last day of the semester and a student's credential isn't posted, the student should contact his or her student records representative. Students can look up their representative on the Registration & Records contact page.
Degrees, diplomas, certificates and transcripts will not be released until all outstanding accounts have been cleared. If you have additional questions, call the Registrar's Office at 919-866-5700.
Certified credentials will be sent via FedEx to the mailing address listed on the graduate's account according to the following schedule:
- Fall semester – Late February
- Spring semester – Late June
- Summer term – Late September
Diploma cases are graduation photo props provided only to in-person commencement ceremony participants and are not available after live graduation events. Graduates who do not attend the in-person commencement ceremony are encouraged to visit the Wake Tech Bookstore to view the variety of frames available to protect and preserve their credential.
No. The only names that will be read at the graduation ceremony are of graduates who purchased their regalia by the October 1 deadline and attend the in-person event.
Yes. All graduates must use Marching Order for their name verification, name pronunciation recording and to retrieve their GradPass and guest tickets.
Tickets are required for the ceremony. Ticket allotments will be announced no later than November 1 at 5 p.m. Graduates will be able to retrieve tickets in the Marching Order portal.
The electronic tickets will be scanned as guests enter the event. Tickets can be scanned only once and cannot be duplicated. Guests will not be granted entry without a ticket. The event will livestreamed for guests who cannot attend in person.
- Graduates do not need a ticket.
- Every guest must have an admission ticket, including children over the age of 2.
- Children 2 and under may attend without a ticket, but the child must sit on an adult's lap. Any child 2 and under taking a seat will need a ticket. Baby carriers and strollers are not permitted.
- Graduates cannot request or purchase additional tickets.
- Guests who arrive after the ceremony begins may be denied entry.
Doors will open one hour prior to the start of each graduation event. In an effort to maintain the dignity of the ceremony for all participants, guests may be denied entry once the ceremony starts. Guests are encouraged to plan accordingly due to possible parking and traffic delays.
No. Each student will be limited to the number of tickets in their allotment.
Commencement programs are provided on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals who attend the in-person graduation event. Programs are typically not available after the event.
The only stoles that Wake Tech will recognize for commencement are those that have been approved for the various honor societies on campus. Wake Tech cannot approve requests for students wishing to wear stoles that are not a part of an approved honor society.
Yes. Graduates are permitted to decorate their caps as long as their decorations do not obstruct the view of other graduates standing or sitting behind them.
Final grades do not impact whether a student can attend the event since all grades are posted the week following commencement. Students completing their last remaining course requirements in December must attend the Fall event in December, and students completing their last remaining course requirements in May or during any of the Summer sessions must attend the Spring event in May.
The Registrar's Office does not remove any student from the participation list once they are uploaded into the Marching Order portal.
Credentials are not handed out at the ceremony. Certified credentials will be sent via FedEx to the mailing address listed on the graduate's account according to the following schedule:
- Fall semester – Late February
- Spring semester – Late June
- Summer term – Late September
Degrees, diplomas, certificates and transcripts will not be released until all outstanding accounts have been cleared. If you have additional questions, call the Registrar's Office at 919-866-5700.
