Annual Commencement Ceremony

The University of Montana Western
129th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Commencement Ceremony

The University of Montana Western’s 129th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be Saturday, May 9, 2026. Time and location TBA.

This ceremony is to recognize all students who have completed a certificate, Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree during the Summer or Fall 2025 terms, or have applied for an are on track to complete a certificate or degree in Spring 2026. Students must formally submit an Application for Graduation within the posted deadlines and receive a degree audit confirming they have completed or will complete their certificate or degree in the 2025-26 academic year. Students completing their degree in Summer 2026 must apply and receive approval by the Registrar’s Office for Early Graduation if they wish to walk in Commencement in Spring 2026. Any questions regarding eligibility to participate in Commencement should be directed to the UMW Registrar’s Office.

Ceremony Details

Pre-ceremony Check-in:

Graduates and degree candidates will need to arrive fully dressed and ready to walk in Commencement by 9:00am. They will check-in and get their name card, then line up at the designated area according to their degree level and/or department. Ushers at the check-in table will provide specific instructions. Please limit personal items to what you can comfortably carry during the processional, ceremony, and recessional. Personal items left at the check-in and line-up will not be monitored during the ceremony. Location TBA.

Post-ceremony Reception:

Upon the closing of the ceremony, all graduates and degree candidates can meet their guests, friends, and members of faculty after the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. Location TBA.

Regalia (Cap & Gown)

Academic Regalia is required for all degree candidates and faculty participating in Commencement. A solid black cap and gown is required for all students participating in Commencement*.

UMW will have preferred provider for which graduates and degree candidates can purchase their cap and gown. Orders places through our preferred provider will be delivered directly to the UMW Bookstore and must be picked up in person by the student the week prior to Commencement. Students can purchases from online suppliers. Regalia will be available to order online beginning January 5, 2026 through UMW’s preferred provider, Oak Hall. The order link will be posted at a later date. All orders through Oak Hall must be placed online no later than March 15, 2026.

Make sure you have your black cap & gown!

*Students and faculty may wear tribal regalia instead of traditional academic regalia. Please read below for more information.

Stoles & Cords
The University of Montana Western strives to recognize and celebrate our candidates’ unique academic and co-curricular accomplishments. These include but are not limited to induction into university-recognized honor societies, involvement in academic organizations and/or association with university-recognized groups or programs.

In addition to the traditional cap and gown regalia worn at this event, we invite our degree candidates to wear stoles and cords at commencement to symbolize these associations in accordance with accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below. The university-recognized student/organization/group or the student is responsible for the cost of any additional regalia. The student is responsible for obtaining the regalia if he or she wishes to wear it during the commencement ceremony. Associate or Bachelor degree candidates and graduates with qualifying institutional cumulative GPAs have the option to purchase honor cords from the UMW Bookstore. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for Institutional GPA Honors requirements. For students completing their degrees in Spring 2025, their GPA honors are based off their Fall 2024 GPA.

Tribal Regalia
Students and faculty are welcome to wear tribal regalia instead of traditional academic regalia at The University of Montana Western’s commencement ceremony. Keep in mind that everyone participating in commencement must adhere to accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below.

For more information about Montana State Law 2-1-315 please visit the Montana Code Annotated 2023 web page.

Decorated Mortarboards
Commencement is a celebration! We invite our degree candidates to decorate the top of their mortarboard (graduation cap), but ask that they respect the dignity of this occasion and be considerate of accepted university standards regarding appropriate content, as outlined below.

University staff reserve the right to confiscate any and all inappropriate materials. Examples of inappropriate content include intimidating or profane language and/or visual materials that insinuate drugs, alcohol, or discrimination or harassment of a protected class. Students unwilling to comply with these guidelines may not participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Important Information

  • Graduates, candidates and guests must follow all staff instructions during the event
  • Guests must remain in the audience for the duration of the ceremony
  • Pets are not allowed but registered service animals are welcomed
  • UMW is a tobacco free campus
  • Confetti canons, glitter, airhorns, and similar devices are prohibited

Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

If guests have concerns about accessibility, please contact Becky Stuart, Director of Campus Events & Conference Services at 406-683-7566 or [email protected] by May 1, 2026.

Event Parking & Campus Map

Parking will be available throughout campus as well as on the public streets surrounding campus. View a printable campus map.

Livestream

The livestream for the University of Montana Western’s 129th Annual Commencement Ceremony. This link will be active for viewing the day of the ceremony starting at 9:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlqAS4DnwBY

Digital Program

The digital program for the University of Montana Western’s 129th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be available for viewing the day of the ceremony at 9:30am: https://www.umwestern.edu/commencement-program/

Photography

More information TBA.

Guests are asked to remain seated during the entire ceremony, and are not permitted to approach the stage or walkway for photos.

Diplomas

Students who complete their degree at the end of the Spring term will have their diploma(s) mailed to the diploma mailing address listed on their Application for Graduation. Generally, diplomas are mailed approximately twelve (12) weeks after Commencement. Students can email updated diploma mailing addresses to [email protected]. 

Leaving your Legacy at UMW

Follow these links to order your Alumni License Plate and Legacy Brick now!

Holds

If you have a hold on your account, you will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.  However, you will not receive your diploma or transcript until all holds have been lifted.  Please check your DAWGS account to see if you have any holds.

Please contact [email protected] with questions.

Updated November 17, 2025