Guest Information
Welcome!
LWTech is excited to once again welcome our graduates' friends and family to this celebratory afternoon. LWTech is immensely proud of our graduates' academic accomplishments. Being a guest at the ceremony is welcome and we would like our guests to know this information to have a celebratory and safe experience. As more information becomes available, this webpage will be updated.
Pre-Ceremony
Visa Request Letter
When students plan to attend their commencement ceremony, they may ask for a verification letter for their family and friends to apply for travel visas. Letters for visa applications are available from the Office of Student Life Director. Please email the Director with the following information:
- Your First name.
- Your Last name.
- Your pronunciation of your name.
- Full name of your study program.
- The country and city where the U.S. embassy or consulate is located.
- Full name of each guest as it's spelled on their international passport.
- Their relationship to you; mother, father, etc.
Please allow several weeks lead time for the preparation and sending of letters. For questions, please contact Vikki Korsunskaya in Office of Student Life. If you are unable to attend during business hours please contact us to make an after hours appointment.
Tickets
Tickets are not required for guests to attend the ceremony.
Getting To and Being At the Meydenbauer
Traveling
Public Transportation
Guests may travel to the ceremony via public transportation. Located across the street from Bellevue's transit hub, metro use is a great, cheaper option to getting to our building. Buses from all over the Greater Seattle Area stop at the Bellevue Transit Center throughout the day. Additionally, multiple Park & Rides are located nearby for local commuters.
Parking
Parking will be available to graduates, cost-free. The parking garage will fill early. Accessible parking is available the garage for students and their guests. Other parking lots are available in the downtown area, in close proximity to Meydenbauer Center.
Decorations
Balloons
Although very celebratory, please do not bring balloons to the ceremony. They are not allowed in the Meydenbauer Center.
Noise Makers
Please do not bring noise makers to the ceremony. Using noise makers is a safety issue for small children, hearing impaired, and those with medical conditions. Please leave them at home. We appreciate good, old-fashioned clapping and cheers.
Photography
Close-up photography will not be possible, by guests, due to safety issues. Family and friends are able to purchase official graduation photos from the photographer.
Things To Know
- We all want the best photo of our graduate. However, we are required to keep the auditorium safe for all guests. All guests blocking aisles when taking photos will be asked to move. Guests lingering in a spot for a long time will be asked to return to their seat.
- Photographs will be taken of each graduate, and will be available for purchase. Use the photography pre-order form to order prints. Graduates are encouraged to pre-order photos; they have the best prices and fastest delivery.
- All students will receive an email with a link where they may view and order photographs.
Service Animals
Service animals and police dogs are permitted in Meydenbauer Center. The animals must be leashed and under the supervision and control of their owners at all times while inside the facility. Non-service animals are not permitted in Meydenbauer Center.
Smoking
Meydenbauer Center is a non-smoking facility, including the parking garage. Smoking is only permitted outside of the building. Authorized exterior smoking areas are limited to 25 feet from the entrance doors on Level 1. This applies to both traditional and electronic cigarettes.
Drug Notice
LWTech is an alcohol- and other drug-free campus. The ceremony is therefore drug-free. Anyone observed to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be asked to leave the ceremony.
Seating
Guest Seating
All seating is open and not reservable. Only disability seating may be reserved by contacting the Office of Student Life. Seating will be open to all guests at 12 p.m.
Accommodation
Guests may request disability accommodation in order to attend the ceremony. Seats will be reserved for the guest needing disability seating and two attendants. The Office of Student Life will work with you to make the best seating arrangements to fit the needs of the party.
If attending the ceremony and need special seating for a wheelchair or other physical impairment please contact our office via email. Please include the following information:
- Family or guest name
- The kind of accommodation they need for their wheelchair, crutches, etc.
Please note, all reserved seating will be available until 1 p.m. If guests have not arrived by this time, all pre-arranged reserved seats will be open to all attendees.
Accommodation seating will begin at 12 p.m.
Strollers
Please do not bring strollers to the ceremony. The hall has limited space available and stroller space cannot be accommodated.