Commencement Information

Saturday December 20, 2025 at 11 a.m.

Winthrop Coliseum (1162 Eden Terrace)

**December 2025 Live Stream link will be available on the Winthrop homepage the day of the ceremony**

• The commencement ceremonies will be video streamed on the Winthrop Website for the convenience of family and friends that cannot be in attendance.

• Recordings of the livestream will be archived and available for viewing on the Winthrop Live YouTube channel within an hour of the ceremony.

Degree candidates should park in the north parking lot of the Coliseum (1162 Eden Terrace). Winthrop University Police Department officers will direct you to the nearest available space. Please enter the coliseum ONLY through the north tunnel.

Visitors will park in the south parking lot of the Coliseum. There will be a designated area for special guests, and all remaining parking is available for family and guests. If you need accessible parking, please reference the Accessibility page for those details. 

NOTE: Parking off of Winthrop property could lead to your vehicle being towed.

The Graduate Studies Records Coordinator will start clearing all graduate degree applicants as final grades are entered. Degree applicants may check Degree Works to view the completion of degree requirements. Below, you will find an example of how Degree Works should look once you have been cleared and your degree awarded.

To ensure the health and safety of the degree candidates, guests, and University personnel, the following measures will be in effect during each of the commencement ceremonies:

• Appropriate social distancing between groups of guests will be strictly enforced inside the arena.

• Degree Candidates and guests will be required to wear face masks/coverings at all times while inside the coliseum.

• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the coliseum for graduates, guests and staff.

• Each ceremony will be livestreamed for the convenience of those who cannot be in attendance.

• Before/after each ceremony the venue will be disinfected and sanitized.

• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the coliseum for graduates, guests and staff.

• Each ceremony will be livestreamed for the convenience of those who cannot be in attendance.

HOODS

Graduates should CARRY their hood to the ceremony, as they will be hooded during the ceremony. See Hooding Video

• Order your Graduation Regalia:   winthrop.shopoakhalli.com

*Regalia ordering deadline: November 23, 2025

Order Regalia Here

Questions about ordering regalia or announcements? Please call Winthrop Bookstore (Barnes & Nobles) —803/323-3800

Master Hood Color

The color of the hoods worn by graduate degree candidates is determined by discipline. The drop-down lists the master's degrees Winthrop University offers and the hood colors that correspond to each.

Unfortuately, you cannot use your undergraduate regalia for the upcoming graduate commencement. The graduate gown has a visibly odd sleeve. The rear of the sleeve is oblong in shape, square-cut and closed off with a cut-out arc. In addition, without the correct gown the hood cannot be attached.

1. Degree candidates should report to the check-in area, located just inside the north entrance of the coliseum, in academic cap and gown, between 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. NOTE: Only participating graduates are allowed in this area. Guests are not permitted in the line-up area.

2. Each degree candidate will be given a card with their name. Do not lose or alter this card. If you believe the information printed is incorrect, please bring this to the attention of the staff at the check-in area.

3. After receiving a card, candidates should proceed to the east hallway where personnel will be present to assist candidates in locating their spots in the line-up.

4. Do not bring anything with you that cannot be put in your pockets as there is no secure area in the coliseum.

5. All cell phones and pagers should be turned off.

Professional photographers will take TWO pictures during the Commencement Ceremony.  

• Each degree candidate will have one photograph taken with the President and one after crossing the stage.

Guests may take their own photos and videos of the ceremony but shall not block the aisles or the view of other guests. No group gatherings inside the coliseum for pictures, or pictures near the stage area will be permitted. 

Academic deans will present the candidates for graduate degrees from their respective college to the Provost. Once degrees are conferred, Marshals will then direct the movement of master's degree candidates to the stage. Graduates will approach the stage in a line. Graduates will give their name cards to the reader when they reach the top of the ramp leading onto the stage. When their name is announced, they will cross the stage.

Once the commencement ceremony has finished, guests will be directed to move outside. Degree candidates should make arrangements with guests to meet in a designated area OUTSIDE after the ceremony.  No group gatherings inside the coliseum and no pictures near the stage area will be permitted after the ceremony. 

Balloons and balloon bouquets are not allowed in the arena as they may obstruct the view of other guests. Consider leaving these items in your car or having a member of your party wait outside until the ceremony concludes.

Family and guests of the degree candidates should enter the Coliseum through the upper concourse level. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and guests should be seated by 10:45 a.m. 

*Tickets are not required for guests to attend the ceremony, and there is no limitation on how many guests may attend.

For information on the Rock Hill area, including a list of local accommodations, check out the Winthrop Visitors' Center. Please allow yourself plenty of extra travel time as traffic will be heavy in the area and near I-77. 

Information regarding accessibility for guests - including accessible parking, seating, and restrooms - can be found on the Accessibility page.

Accessible seating will be designated for guests, including the elderly, who may require accommodations. In order to ensure that accessible seating is available for those who need it, only one other person may accompany the individual to the accessible seating area (this will be enforced). These individuals should plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony.

If you or your guest(s) require an auxiliary aid or service identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act, these individuals should also plan to arrive prior to 10:30 a.m. for the ceremonies.  Please enter the Coliseum through the upper concourse level.

A sign language interpreter will be at the ceremony.

Diplomas for December 2025 graduates will be given out at the end of the Commencement ceremony. Those that are not picked up at the ceremony will be mailed to the graduate's permanent mailing address listed on Wingspan. If you will not be picking up your diploma, please check to make sure that your permanent mailing address is up to date (Wingspan > Personal Information > Update Address and Phones > Permanent Address).