9:00 a.m.
College of Health Sciences – Northwest
Door open for guests at 8:00 a.m.
Ceremony Schedules
May 15, 2026
12:30 p.m.
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest
Door open for guests at 11:30 a.m.
May 18, 2026
1:00 p.m.
College of Dental Medicine
Door open for guests at 12:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
College of Pharmacy
Door open for guests at 3:30 p.m.
May 19, 2026
9:00 a.m.
College of Graduate Nursing
Door open for guests at 8:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
College of Optometry
Door open for guests at 12:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
College of Health Sciences
Door open for guests at 3:30 p.m.
May 20, 2026
9:00 a.m.
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Door open for guests at 8:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
College of Podiatric Medicine
Door open for guests at 1:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Door open for guests at 4:00 p.m.
Commencement Assistants
Each spring our Commencement Exercises serve as the capstone of our students’ career at WesternU. Students, as well as their families and friends, will not soon forget the incredible ceremony that our faculty participants and commencement assistants help make possible.
Please see the appropriate categories on the left for more information regarding the Lebanon and Pomona ceremonies.
Before Commencement
Meetings
- For team meetings, please speak to your team lead.
Dress Code
- Please wear nice, but comfortable, clothes (dress, slacks, or solid color capris for women, white shirt with a collar and dark slacks for men). No jeans or capris.
- You are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, but no tennis shoes or flip-flops.
Before Commencement
Meetings
- Attend your individual team meeting – watch for an e-mail from your team lead for date and time. You will receive your robe at this meeting.
- Attend the General Commencement Assistants Meeting:
Date: April 30, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Hotel and Travel
- Since this is a local event, hotel accommodations will not be provided.
- Please note that your vehicle is not covered by the University’s auto policy. Auto insurance is a requirement for all drivers using their own vehicles for university business.
Dress Code
- Please wear nice, but comfortable, clothes (black or dark colored slacks/skirt) and your Commencement polo. No jeans.
- If you are only working one ceremony, please wear a black College or University polo.
- If you are worried about being cold, you may wear a long-sleeved black shirt under your polo; sweaters, sweatshirts or cardigans should not be worn over your polo.
- You are encouraged to wear comfortable dress shoes or clean, black sneakers.
- Faculty/Staff assistants are not responsible for your valuables, so please leave large personal items at home or in your car.
- You may bring a small, dark, and discreet bag that does not cover your Commencement polo logo when worn. A limited supply of small black bags is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
During Commencement
Parking
Carpooling is strongly encouraged and parking information will be provided closer to the event.
Bring your WesternU ID
- After the security checkpoint, sign-in to receive your wristband. Be sure to bring your ID with you.
When and Where to Report
- Report to the Faculty Robing/Assistants Room (California Ballroom 3) and sign the Assistant Sign-in Sheet.
- Please be on time. However, if you are running late, please call your team lead.
Meals
- Meals will be provided in California Ballroom 3.
- Meal tickets are not required but you will need to sign-in.
Please Note
- Doors will close to allow for the Academic Procession (graduates, faculty, and the platform party marching in) and will re-open after the National Anthem. Late arriving guests will be admitted after the National Anthem. They will not miss the ceremony.
- Late arriving graduates will be admitted immediately, please direct them California Ballroom 2.
- Only STAFF assigned to the Grad Room team should be in California Ballroom 2 – no family/guests/additional staff.
- If you have any questions or problems during the ceremonies, please see your team lead first. Your team lead, with your input, will handle situations that arise in your area.
After Commencement
Be sure to sign out at the end of your shift(s). After your last ceremony please return your badge (you may keep the yellow lanyard) California Ballroom 3.
Time Cards
- Non-Exempt employees are paid for their travel time to and from the Fairplex minus their regular commute. Include the travel time on your regular timecard.
Example: If it normally takes you 30 minutes to commute from home to WesternU, but it takes you 45 minutes to commute to the Fairplex, 15 minutes of your travel time will be paid as worked time.
Mileage
- WesternU will reimburse employees who use their automobile for business, a per mile reimbursement amount as determined annually by the IRS. The mileage that is eligible for reimbursement will be determined by reducing the miles of the employee’s regular commute to their place of work, if departing from a location other than their regular place of work. Because the University’s per mile rate considers the cost of gasoline and operating expenses, the University does not reimburse for use of private vehicles based on receipts. The University does not reimburse for roadside assistance memberships, such as AAA. Mileage is paid by your department/college.
How to Get Reimbursed
- As a reminder WesternU uses the travel program Concur Expense, and to request a travel advance/trip report for Commencement you must go through this program. Please work with your supervisor/director of operations to request reimbursement.
- Meals are provided and are not reimbursable.
Getting There
Sheraton Fairplex & Conference Center
601 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA
Boulder Falls Center
605 Mullins Dr.
Lebanon, OR 97355