May 2023 commencement: What to expect 

Commencement ceremonies are planned for May. 12 and May 13 in the Robert W. Plaster Center and the Garfield Weede Building at Pittsburg State University. A total of 754 undergraduate students are on the list to have degrees conferred, and 349 graduate students are on the list. 

Here's what to expect: 

Ceremonies 

Friday, May 12th, 2023 

2 p.m. - College of Technology (School of Automotive & Engineering Technology; School of Construction) 

3:30 p.m. - College of Technology (School of Technology & Workforce Learning) 

5 p.m. - Kelce College of Business 

6:30 p.m. - College of Education (Departments of Health, Human Performance & Recreation; Psychology & Counseling), College of Arts and Sciences (Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing) 

8 p.m. - College of Education (Department of Teaching & Leadership) 

Saturday, May 13th, 2023 

9 a.m. - College of Arts and Sciences (Departments of Art; Communication; English & Modern Languages; General Studies; History, Philosophy & Social Sciences; Integrated Studies and Music) 

10:30 a.m. - College of Arts and Sciences (Departments of Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics & Physics) 

ROTC Commissioning 

10 a.m. on May 12 at the PSU Veterans Memorial, 1909 S. Rouse, 13 cadets will be commissioned in a pinning ceremony. 

Nursing Pinning Ceremony  

11:30 a.m. on May 12 at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer, 140 nursing graduates will be eligible for pinning, including 85 Pre-Licensure, 28 RN to BSN, seven MSN Education, 11 BSN to DNP, three MSN to DNP, and six NP Residents.

Arrival 

Graduates and ticketed guests should check in together 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time at the Plaster Center and proceed around the track to the designated area. Before reaching check-in, graduates should have their name cards in hand and tickets should be distributed to guests. 

Guests, tickets, and seating 

All students planning to attend commencement must RSVP and register for guest tickets by Wednesday, May 10. Graduates may register for up to six tickets for guests who will accompany them in the processional to the stage. Additional guests can attend and will be seated in John Lance Arena to view the processional. Tickets may be picked up at the Registrar’s Office in Russ Hall until noon on May 12. 

Parking 

On-campus parking is available north of the Bicknell Center. No parking permit is needed. Parking is also available at the Kansas Technology Center and the Plaster Center accessed via the paved hike/bike trail. 

Parking spots on the far north lot of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts are reserved for handicap parking. 

Livestreaming 

PSU will webcast the commencement ceremonies via live stream at Pittstate.tv to accommodate additional family and friends not able to attend in person. The webcast will start shortly before each ceremony.  

An archived copy of the ceremonies will be available online at Pittstate.tv for viewing on demand.  

Photo opportunities 

A professional photographer will photograph each graduate three times, including on stage.  

Full color proofs will be provided directly to each graduate by email. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone, or by mail. 

The Centennial Bell 

Graduates are invited to ring the Centennial Bell Tower between Axe Library and Carnie Smith Stadium before or after their ceremony. The Centennial Bell Tower will be open on May 12 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and May 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.