Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony

Each graduate will receive complimentary tickets to the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony. Children two and under do not need a ticket to enter if sitting on a lap (a ticket is required if the child needs their own seat).

Please do not bring extra family members to the venue without a ticket. No extra tickets will be available. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and seats may not be held for late arrivals. Guests may enter the ceremony at any point during the event, but late arrivals will be directed to balcony seating to avoid disruption.

The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. Doors for guests will open to Wait Chapel at approximately 1:30 p.m. Guests should arrive in time to park, proceed through security/bag check, and be seated in advance of the ceremony. Guests will be directed to a specific waiting area for entrance to the venue. The University encourages guests to consider not bringing bags, as there will be a bag check requirement when entering the venue.

NOTE:  Tickets can be printed or presented digitally on a mobile device.

All guests will be required to proceed through security and a bag check prior to entering Wait Chapel. The following items are prohibited: mace, pepper spray, aerosols, pocket knives, firearms, weapons of any kind, coolers, alcohol, signs on sticks or poles, suitcases, tripods, animals (excluding service animals*), and strollers (collapsible allowed).

*Emotional support animals are not included

On-campus parking will be open and available for the Hooding & Commencement Ceremony.

As part of Wake Forest’s security measures, a clear bag policy and bag checks have been adopted for all graduation activities. Guests are encouraged to consider the additional time needed for bag checks by security when planning their arrival and entry into the Law School Hooding & Commencement Ceremony. Bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance before ticket scanning. Guests are encouraged to assess the necessity of bringing a bag, as we aim to enhance efficiency and convenience for all patrons.

Guests with special needs may be dropped off behind Wait Chapel on Wake Forest Road. Cars transporting special needs guests may park in Parking Lot Q or other nearby spaces. A ramp is available both at the side entrance of Wait Chapel nearest to Parking Lot P and at the right-front entrance of the Chapel. The Chapel has designated rows for wheelchairs.

During the ceremony, each graduate will cross the stage to receive their academic hood and shake hands with the Dean of the School of Law. A professional photographer will take two photographs on stage: one as the graduate is hooded and the other with the dean. Both photographs will be sent to graduates’ Wake Forest email addresses. Given the professional photography, we ask that all guests remain in their seats to take photographs or videos.

Guests of graduates have a number of lodging options in and around the Winston-Salem area. We recommend that guests secure lodging as early as possible. Please check back soon for a list of lodging recommendations.