Two days, five ceremonies, one arena

EWU’s June Ceremony page gives the dates in capitals: “FRIDAY, JUNE 11th & SATURDAY, JUNE 12th, 2027”, and then the rule that matters for families: “All Ceremonies will be at the Pavilion - Reese Court.” 11 June 2027 is a Friday, 12 June a Saturday.

The page already carries the college split, which most universities do not publish nine months out:

Friday 11 June. 9:00am, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 1:00pm, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics together with the College of Health Science and Public Health. 5:00pm, College of Professional Programs: School of Business and School of Professional Accounting.

Saturday 12 June. 9:00am, College of Professional Programs: School of Education, Interdisciplinary Studies and Organizational Leadership. 1:00pm, School of Psychology and School of Social Work.

Each listing says “MAIN DOORS OPEN” 75 minutes before the start: 7:45am, 11:45am and 3:45pm. Graduates arrive and line up in the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse.

The April ceremony that is easy to miss

Above the June block the same page lists a “May CHSPH Semester Programs Ceremony” on “Friday, April 30th, 2027” at 9:30 AM, Pavilion at Reese Court, 1375 Swoop Lane. It is a separate event for the College of Health Science and Public Health’s semester programs, six weeks before the June round. A family told “commencement is in April” and a family told “June” can both be right.

No tickets, eight guests, and a bag search

The FAQ: “For the June Commencement Ceremonies Tickets are not required but you will be limited to 8 guests per graduate. Seating and parking will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.” The May semester ceremony has no ticket requirement either.

Also from the FAQ, read on 20 September 2026: “All guests attending any of the Commencement Ceremonies at Reese Court will be subject to a BAG SEARCH.” Food, drink, hangers, purses and strollers stay in the vehicle. ADA seating is on the concourse level and cannot be reserved. Every ceremony is livestreamed, with links posted the morning of.

Parking is free, and the exit is choreographed

“Free Parking is available in Lots P-9 (except VIP area), P-12 & P-16.” Meters on Washington Street are free on Saturday. Other campus lots may charge.

Because five ceremonies share one arena, the FAQ is specific about leaving: you “will NOT be able to reunite with your guests/graduates inside the venue.” Exit as directed, meet outside Reese Court, use Roos Field for photos, then return to your vehicles so the next ceremony’s guests can park. Plan the reunion spot before the ceremony, not after.

No December ceremony

The June page states the ceremonies “will honor graduates from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027”, with Fall 2027 graduates welcome to attend though not in the program. That is EWU’s way of saying fall graduates walk in June; no December date appears on any page read.

One night, or none

A morning ceremony needs the night before in Cheney, which has one 121-room chain hotel and a motel, or in Spokane 26 minutes away. An afternoon ceremony can be driven from Spokane the same day. The where to stay page has the three properties and the ring toward the city.