NOTICE: If you have already registered for Kente Spring 2025 and have received confirmation, please disregard the message below. You do not need to register for a second time.
Greetings and Congratulations!
The Dowdy Multicultural Center is excited to sponsor the 33rd Annual Spring 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration on Thursday, May 8th, 2025, at 6:00pm-7:30pm in Hollinger Field House. The Dowdy Multicultural Center is excited to coordinate the Kente Graduation Celebration, known affectionally by students and alumni as “Kente” which is an event that was created in the fall of 1992 to “honor and celebrate the achievements of multicultural students”. Kente has become a “true West Chester University tradition”.
Our office has received confirmation from the Registrar’s Office of your anticipated degree(s) completion scheduled for Spring 2025 or Summer 2025. We are pleased to extend an invitation to you to participate in this unique occasion. In the presence of family, friends, and the university community, you will be recognized for your accomplishment by being presented with a stole during the ceremony. This stole is a cultural symbol of achievement, wisdom, and community. You can also include a dedication or expression of appreciation to a person or group of people who supported you. This will be published in the program booklet.
Please read the following sections about information related to the ceremony. The registration link is provided at the end of this email and must be submitted by Friday, April 18th no later than 11:55 p.m. EST.
More related information is below:
-
Stole Options
-
Dedication/ Expression of Appreciation
-
Registration Link and Deadline
-
Student Speaker Application
-
FAQ’S and Stay Up to Date
STOLE OPTIONS
During registration (link found below), you will be given the option to select from the following stoles. We will place an order for these stoles based on your selection and timely registration.
|
Option 1 - Traditional Kente Stole 1 – Ashanti Stool |
Option 2 – Traditional Kente Stole 2 – Key The Key represents the Key of Success.
|
Option 3 - Multicultural Stole 1 The stole has a black background, with red, white and blue stripes.
|
Option 4 - Multicultural Stole 2 The stole has a black background, green and gold stripes, and symbols in gold. The Key symbol represents the Key of Success. |
Option 5 - Double Woven Stole |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDF Version of all stoles HERE. You will also have access to the PDF version via the registration form.
*The stoles pictured above are the exact stoles that will be received. No additional information will be added to these stoles. *
To reserve your graduation stole, you MUST submit the registration form found below.
DEDICATION/ EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION
In the registration process you will have the opportunity to provide a dedication or expression of appreciation that will be included in the program. There is a 38-word limit.
SEATING
Students:
Graduates will walk from Ehringer Gym down one flight of stairs before processing into Hollinger for the celebration. All graduating students have reserved seating which will be marked. Kente volunteers will be on-site to assist students in finding their seats. Accessibility accommodations can be made for students who require them. Please reach out to us at multicultural@wcupa.edu to request an accommodation.
Guests:
Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly suggest that students limit their number of guests to a total of six (6). Live streaming will be available in case the Hollinger Fieldhouse reaches seating capacity. Due to safety concerns, guests will not be permitted to stand during the Kente Graduation Celebration.
Live Stream: Live stream will be available at www.wcupa.edu/commencement
Tickets: There are NO TICKETS REQUIRED for the 2025 Spring Kente Graduation Celebration! Graduates will not need to secure or pick up tickets for this event.
REGISTRATION LINK AND DEADLINE
Registration link: https://cglink.me/2f3/s95749
Deadline: Friday, April 18th at 11:55 p.m. EST.
No exceptions will be made. This deadline will allow the office to finalize orders and make the necessary arrangements for this large-scale event. We appreciate your cooperation.
For Summer 2025 Master's & Doctoral Graduates:
Summer 2025 Master's & Doctoral graduates will have the option to participate in either the Spring 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration OR the Fall 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration. You will NOT be permitted to participate in BOTH ceremonies. If you would like to participate in the Fall 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration, please disregard this email. Fall 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration information will be sent to you during the Fall 2025 semester.
Submitting form: You must hit the “Submit” button on the bottom right-hand side of the form. If you have difficulty viewing the submit button, you may need to minimize your browser. It is recommended that you use a laptop or desktop to submit this form.
More information: You will receive a confirmation within 4 business days after your registration. Please be sure to check your email for this.
KENTE STUDENT SPEAKER APPLICATION
As a part of the Kente Graduation Celebration, one undergraduate, one graduate and/or doctoral speakers will be selected to speak.
The criteria for the speaker application are the following:
- Must participate in Kente Graduation Celebration.
- Students from all departments are invited to apply.
- You must submit a draft of your speech.
- The speech must remain under 5 minutes long.
- Remarks should reflect an uplifting and inspiring message for peers. Keep in mind the diverse cultural/racial experiences of the graduates. DMC staff may request changes to the speech.
- You must meet with a DMC staff member to provide you with guidance and instructions for day of the celebration.
- You must be at the ceremony no later than 45 minutes in advance and check-in with appropriate staff member.
Deadline: Friday, April 18th no later than 11:55 p.m. EST.
FAQ’S AND STAY UP TO DATE
Email Communication: You will continue to receive emails through your wcupa.edu account as the primary source of communication. “Kente Graduation Celebration” will continue to be in the subject line. You may receive communication directly from one of the DMC Staff members (Secretary, Assistant Director, or Associate Director) or from the multicultural@wcupa.edu email.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s): tinyurl.com/DMCprograms
DMC Kente Graduation Information Page: tinyurl.com/DMCprograms (Feel free to place a bookmark and check for updates.)
Reach us: For questions that are not answered in the FAQ’s, you can contact our office at (610) 436-3273, or email us at multicultural@wcupa.edu
Follow us: Instagram page: @dowdymc_wcu
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we prepare to celebrate you!
Again, congratulations, and the Dowdy Multicultural Center staff looks forward to honoring you at the 33rd Annual Spring 2025 Kente Graduation Celebration.