Commencement
Winston-Salem State University Commencement Ceremony
All Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Friday, May 9, 2025
8:45 a.m.
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2825 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Graduates, congratulations on your achievements. We are looking forward to celebrating you at Commencement.
This web page has all the information you need in one place including links to:
- How to prepare: degree requirements, logistics, cap and gown, picking up your commencement packet, and more.
- Participants: information about parking, honor cords, military honor cords, degree distribution, and more.
- Guests: parking, venue access, disabled guest services, hotels and accommodations, and more.
- Commencement Day: commuter parking, shuttles, disabled guest services, official photographer, security, allowed and prohibited items.
Be sure to include your Banner ID on all commencement related correspondence.
IMPORTANT: TRAFFIC ALERT – MAJOR CHANGES AND EXPECTED DELAYS
Due to ongoing road closures and construction in the coliseum and Allegacy Stadium area, please be advised:
- Over 12,000 guests are expected — plan to arrive early!
- Major road closures will significantly impact traffic patterns.
- A large section of Deacon Boulevard is permanently closed.
- Traffic personnel and clear signage will be available to guide you.
- While ample parking is available, please allow extra time to reach the parking lots due to expected congestion.
- Please refer to the traffic/parking lot map for details.
STUDENTS — ARRIVE BY 7 A.M.
- Students will enter the coliseum off Shorefair Drive onto Deacon Blvd.
- There will be a checkpoint at this location.
- Bring your cap, gown, or academic regalia in the car with you.
- Show your regalia to traffic personnel — they will direct you to the correct parking lot.
- Enter the coliseum through at the NW corner of the Coliseum Section #116.
GUESTS — ARRIVE BY 7:45 A.M.
- Plan to arrive early. Doors open to the public at 7:45 a.m.
- Review the parking map in advance to understand the new traffic pattern and route.
- Expect delays and allow extra time for arrival and parking.
FREE SHUTTLES PICKING UP FROM THE ALLEGACY PARKING LOT
- Free shuttle buses are available for you.
- Please plan to park in the Allegacy Parking Lot.
- The shuttle will pick you up and drop you off in front of the coliseum.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING (ADA)
- Accessible Parking is available immediately adjacent to the coliseum.
- Traffic personnel will direct patrons to accessible parking areas once entering the coliseum parking lots.
- Please display accessible parking hang tags to assist in the process.
- Additional accessible parking is available at the Allegacy Parking Lot with shuttle service to the coliseum.
- Please refer to the traffic/parking lot map that designate accessible parking.
We look forward to seeing you there!
- Currently, there are no specific Covid-19 restrictions or requirements for commencement; however, we strongly encourage all participants to wear masks while seated throughout the entirety of the program. Please check back with us as we get closer to event day for updates.
- Honors and Military cords will be available to graduates that RSVP'd their attendance when applying for graduation. Graduates who do not intend to attend the ceremonies will have their cords mailed with their diplomas.
- We encourage all non-participants to view in-person ceremonies via live stream.
- Be sure to include your Banner ID on all commencement related correspondence.
Stay In the Know
- Stay up-to-date with commencement news and events on Facebook and Twitter (#WSSUGrad, #WSSU25)
- Direct any questions you may have to commencement@wssu.edu.
- Update your contact information as necessary via WSSU Graduation Services.