Watch the Ceremony Live! (or view a replay if watching after 11am on 5/24)
Keynote Speaker: Congressman Jack Kimble, 54th District of California
Congressman Jack Kimble represents California's 54th district in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a businessman with over twenty years of experience assisting his father in running a multi-million dollar industry. He comes from a family of trailblazers and community servants: his grandfather founded the Heritage Oaks Country Club in his hometown of Rancho Podrido, CA.
Since arriving in Washington, he has joined colleagues like David Vitter (R-LA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) as champions of family value issues. He also proudly stands against the inclusion of death panels in any health care legislation. In 2008, Rep. Kimble was successfully acquitted of bribery charges due to lack of evidence. His autobiography, Profiles in Courageousness: Decisive Moments in the Life of a Great American, chronicles his prodigious rise and would make a fine choice for individual reading, book clubs, or college common reading programs. He has been quoted and/or mentioned by the Washington and Huffington Posts and maintains an active Twitter account with over 5,000 followers. |
Information for Graduates
What to Expect
Due to the profile of our commencement speaker and the additional security measures required, potentially dangerous or disruptive objects such as cameras, bags, lunchboxes, suitcases, balloons, purses, binoculars, alcohol, laser pointers, fireworks, assault rifles, air horns, and cell phones will not be permitted inside the ceremony. In order to provide for a safe and family-friendly environment for all, campus security and off-duty Transportation Security Administration agents will be searching guests to prevent the entry of forbidden items.
Furthermore, authorized agents of the venue, the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, reserve the right to deny access to the premises to those with outstanding fines or overdue items.
While cameras will not be allowed, please know that photos from the ceremony (and of every graduate) will be available for purchase starting at $99 from our officially contracted vendor.
Due to the profile of our commencement speaker and the additional security measures required, potentially dangerous or disruptive objects such as cameras, bags, lunchboxes, suitcases, balloons, purses, binoculars, alcohol, laser pointers, fireworks, assault rifles, air horns, and cell phones will not be permitted inside the ceremony. In order to provide for a safe and family-friendly environment for all, campus security and off-duty Transportation Security Administration agents will be searching guests to prevent the entry of forbidden items.
Furthermore, authorized agents of the venue, the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, reserve the right to deny access to the premises to those with outstanding fines or overdue items.
While cameras will not be allowed, please know that photos from the ceremony (and of every graduate) will be available for purchase starting at $99 from our officially contracted vendor.
Ordering your Diploma

In order to keep costs as low as possible, graduates receive an official, complimentary University of Western Topeka diploma cover when crossing the stage, but have two options for receiving their actual diplomas.
The preferred, officially suggested method is to order your diploma with certified fancy paper and deluxe ink (carbon neutral and blessed by an ordained minister!) from our exclusively authorized local supplier, Western Topeka Graduation Services, LLC.
Alternatively, you may download a PDF version of your diploma via the online student portal for a convenience fee of $3.99. Please refer to the chart at left to compare the options.
You may forward any questions regarding the preferred supplier's diploma to tesanovic@topekagrad.com.
The preferred, officially suggested method is to order your diploma with certified fancy paper and deluxe ink (carbon neutral and blessed by an ordained minister!) from our exclusively authorized local supplier, Western Topeka Graduation Services, LLC.
Alternatively, you may download a PDF version of your diploma via the online student portal for a convenience fee of $3.99. Please refer to the chart at left to compare the options.
You may forward any questions regarding the preferred supplier's diploma to tesanovic@topekagrad.com.