Family & Friends

The Class of 2025 Commencement exercises will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. 

• The Graduate Commencement Ceremony occurs on Thursday, May 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm . Doors open for guest entrance at 3:00 pm.
   
• The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony occurs on Friday, May 16 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Doors open for guest entrance at 12:00 noon.

Please plan to arrive early to give you enough time to park and find seating. All guests must have a ticket to enter the Arena, which will be scanned at the main entrance area (doors 10, 11 & 12) at the DCU Center.

• We are planning to hold the Earle Bridge crossing and Convocation a few days before Commencement. Date and times are tbd. 
• On Commencement day at the DCU Center, the student Processional will proceed into the DCU Center, past the 3D-printed Gompei Goat statue, and onto the carpet runner, complete with the WPI Seal. 
• While the Processional is occurring, a video from the Class of 2025 Earle Bridge Crossing will be played on the arena monitors. 

Ticketing information: 

• Tickets are required for all guests entering the DCU Center; each entrant must have an individual ticket. Graduates do not need a ticket to enter.  All seating at the venue is first-come, first-served.
• Children under 3 years of age who will be seated on the lap of a guest do not require a ticket to enter.
• Beginning February 10, 2025, students may access their HUB account to list their ticket recipients. We anticipate that each candidate may request up to 8 tickets.
• The ticketing site closes on April 25. After this date, if additional tickets are available, a ticket lottery may be possible. 
• If a graduating student anticipates requiring more than the automatically assigned 8 tickets, they will have the ability to request additional tickets through a form on the Commencement HUB.  A lottery selection will be conducted in late- April.

• A request for Parents -- Please remind your student that they MUST sign-up for tickets (via their student HUB account) if they wish to have guests present at the DCU Center and in the Arena. 

   

For guests, there are several conveniently located parking garages and lots in the downtown area and surrounding the DCU Center. For more information please visit the DCU Parking site.

For alternative travel options to the DCU Center from airports or using the MBTA, please visit the DCU Transportation site. 

A MAXIMUM SIZE of 8 x 10 inches will be permitted. Medical bags & diaper bags will be allowed and will be checked prior to entry. All other bags such as messenger bags, larger totes, back packs, duffle bags, etc. will NOT be permitted.

Guests are not allowed to bring in outside food or beverage.  Concessions will be available for purchase.  Posters, banners, flags, or signs of any size are strictly prohibited.  Noise makers and balloons are also not allowed into the venue. 

Cameras are allowed but must be out of a camera bag.  No detachable lens cameras are allowed.

Umbrellas, if there is inclement weather, are allowed but must be folded prior to entering the DCU.

https://www.dcucenter.com/venue-info/faq/

Please note: 

Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service dogs that are trained to provide services and tasks for guests are permitted. Support or companion animals, and other pets are not permitted. Guests with service dogs may not take up additional seats unless a ticket has been secured for the adjacent seat for the service dog.

Please note: these basic guidelines are continuously being monitored and adjusted. They may change as our planning changes. 

• WPI strongly encourages everyone attending our Commencement Ceremonies to be vaccinated/boosted or have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of the event. Masks are welcome and encouraged yet not required. WPI encourages everyone to respect the choices that individuals make about their own masking. 
• WPI also expects that guests will not come to the DCU Center with symptoms or having recently tested positive for COVID-19. 

We thank you for supporting the safety and welfare of our campus community.

As each student crosses the stage to receive their diploma from the President, a professional photograph will be taken. These photos will be sent to each student following the ceremony via e-mail; students may then elect to purchase their respective photo proof. 

After the student receives their diploma and proceeds across the stage, a photo will be taken using green screen technology featuring signature WPI backgrounds; these photos will also be sent to each student for purchasing consideration. 

Guests are not permitted in the Exhibit Hall, nor on the Arena floor. All guests are expected to remain in the designated seating area. 

View the ADA-designated seating map here.

Guests with ADA needs should enter through Door 13, located directly adjacent to the main entrance. Please note: the stage will be located at the 102/103/104 section end of the arena (opposite from the arena diagram).

Wheelchair/Mobility Aid and Limited Mobility Seating Information

Wheelchair/Mobility Aid and Limited Mobility tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for reserved seating. Your student must select the tickets they need through their HUB account. It’s important to have the correct ticket with you when you arrive at the DCU Center.

Please plan ahead, as these reserved seats are located throughout the concourse, and some walking may be required.

A satellite viewing area will be available on the concourse between sections 113 and 118, where the ceremony will be streamed via livestream.

View the ADA designated seating areas here. 

Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Accessible Seating
This section is located on a level platform and is designed for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. Companion seating is provided with folding chairs. Standard stadium seating is not available in this area. Each guest in this section is allowed one companion seat.

Limited Mobility Seating
For individuals with limited mobility, this seating is located in the first row of standard stadium seating and is accessible by walking down 1-2 standard-height steps from the concourse. This option is for those who can navigate minimal steps. Each guest in this section is allowed one companion seat.

All ceremonies offer closed captioned text. 

We make it easier for you to find information about getting around the city and where to stay while you're in Worcester.

Here are some options for dining out in Worcester.

DCU Center Address: 

50 Foster Street, 

Worcester, MA. 01608

We encourage guests to visit the DCU Center site for venue specific information. 

The DCU Concession stands will be open and available for food and drink items. The WPI Bookstore will have a station in the main entrance area for WPI gear and swag, and flower bouquets will also be available for purchase. 

• A map of the DCU Center seating area is available. For our ceremony, the stage will be on the opposite end (at the 102/103/104 section end).
• We ask that parents/guests remain seated during the ceremony, and not block any views of the ceremony. Parents/guests are not permitted to access the arena floor. 
• Parents/guests are expected to remain in their seats until the Recessional exits the arena.

Many parents, students and family members choose to go out for a nice dinner following the conclusion of the commencement ceremony. We encourage our guests to visit the Central Massachusetts Visitors website when considering overnight accommodations, as well as varied dining options, such as these below:
Local Restaurant List

We are constantly reviewing our Safety and Security Plans, and will share more information here in the days leading up to our May 15 and May 16 Ceremonies.