When most people picture WVU graduation photos, they imagine the historic brick buildings of Woodburn Circle on the Downtown campus. And while Woodburn is iconic, it’s only half the story. However, WVU’s Morgantown campus is split between Downtown and Evansdale. Furthermore, Evansdale is where thousands of students spent their college years. If you’re an engineering, agriculture, forestry, creative arts, or law student, Evansdale is where you studied. Moreover, you pulled all-nighters there and forged lasting friendships.
Why Take WVU Evansdale Graduation Photos?
The Downtown and Evansdale campuses feel completely different, and that’s exactly why Evansdale deserves a spot in your graduation gallery. Downtown is defined by historic brick and classic collegiate architecture. Evansdale runs from the Monongahela River toward the Health Sciences campus. It features bold architecture, glass, open plazas, and abundant green space. Your photos gain a clean, contemporary feel. This look stands out among the thousands of Woodburn Circle photos taken each season.
There’s a personal reason, too. Graduation photos celebrate what you accomplished, and nothing tells that story better than the places where it happened. For an engineering grad, standing by the building where you spent four years in labs and design projects means more. It highlights your achievement, not simply the pose in front of a building you rarely visited. Evansdale tends to feel quieter than Woodburn Circle during peak graduation season. This can mean fewer crowds in your background.
Engineering Sciences Building | WVU Evansdale Graduation Photos
The Engineering Sciences Building is the heart of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and one of the most recognizable buildings on Evansdale. Built in 1961 and rising more than ten stories on a ridgeline, it’s visible from all over Morgantown. For engineering grads, it’s the ultimate backdrop for a portrait that says “I did it.”
The building’s strong vertical lines and scale make for dramatic photos, especially when shot from a low angle to emphasize its height. It’s a perfect spot for a confident standing portrait with your diploma, or a cap toss, with the tower rising behind you.
Advanced Engineering Research Building
For a sleek, modern look, the Advanced Engineering Research Building is one of the newest and most striking spots on Evansdale. Opened in 2015, it houses labs and learning spaces for the Statler College, and its contemporary design creates clean, editorial backgrounds that feel fresh and polished.
This is a great location for engineering grads who want photos that feel forward-looking, like the careers they’re heading into. Glass and modern architecture pair beautifully with a bold outfit, and the building’s clean lines work well for close-up portraits that let your cap, tassel, and cords stand out.
Mineral Resources Building
Along with the Engineering Sciences Building and the Advanced Engineering Research Building, the Mineral Resources Building is one of the Statler College’s three main homes on Evansdale Drive. Including it in your session means your gallery covers the full engineering experience, and it’s an especially meaningful spot for students in mining, petroleum, and related programs.
Canady Creative Arts Center
The Canady Creative Arts Center is one of the most architecturally unique buildings on campus. While most of Evansdale’s buildings are angular, the Creative Arts Center stands out for its rounded forms, which create interesting curves and textures in photos. Home to the College of Creative Arts and Media, it’s a natural choice for music, theatre, dance, and art grads. Still, its distinctive architecture also makes it a great backdrop for any graduate looking for something different.
Agricultural Sciences Building and Greenhouse
For Davis College students in agriculture, forestry, and natural resources, the Agricultural Sciences Building and the Evansdale Greenhouse are perfect places to celebrate. Greenery, plants, and natural textures create soft, fresh backgrounds that feel completely different from the engineering side of campus. It’s a wonderful way to connect your photos to your field of study, and props like a plant, a seedling, or a piece of forestry gear can add a meaningful personal touch.
WVU College of Law
Furthermore, the WVU College of Law on Evansdale offers a modern Law Center that pairs nicely with a classic portrait. I’ve photographed several WVU Law grads, and I put together a whole post just for them. Take a look at my WVU Law graduation photos for ideas, props, and inspiration from real sessions.
The PRT
Additionally, no WVU graduation gallery is complete without a nod to the Personal Rapid Transit system. The PRT connects Evansdale to Downtown. There are stations on Evansdale, including near the engineering buildings and the Towers residence halls. Whether you loved it or complained for four years, a photo at a PRT station is quirky. It’s also a clever way to connect the two campuses in your gallery.
Core Arboretum, the Coliseum, and the Stadium
At the edge of Evansdale, a few more favorites round out your options. The Core Arboretum offers wooded trails and natural light for a softer, outdoorsy look, especially in spring. The Hope Coliseum, where commencement ceremonies take place, is a meaningful spot for a photo where you’ll soon walk across the stage. And nearby Milan Puskar Stadium is a must for any grad who never missed a home game.
If you’re a nursing or health sciences student, the Health Sciences campus is right next to Evansdale, so it’s easy to include the buildings where you spent your clinical years in the same session. Check out my post for Nursing Graduation Pictures: Ideas From WVU Nursing & Healthcare Grads
Exploring All of Campus With the Graduate 4.0
Because I photograph so many graduation sessions each season, my standard sessions are centered at Woodburn Circle, the most iconic spot on campus. For grads who want to celebrate their entire WVU story, from the buildings on Evansdale where they studied to the classic brick of Woodburn, I offer the Graduate 4.0. This package takes you all over campus, and I dedicate an entire evening to just you.
A multi-location session gets its own evening for a practical reason. Morgantown traffic can be a real challenge, especially around 5 p.m. when golden hour and rush hour overlap, and parking near campus buildings can be hard to find. Moving between Evansdale and Downtown takes time, and a rushed session never makes for relaxed photos. By setting aside a full evening, we can take our time at each location, work around traffic and parking, and still catch the best light. For Downtown inspiration, check out my guide to the top portrait locations at Woodburn Circle.
Tips for WVU Evansdale Graduation Photos
A little planning makes an Evansdale session go smoothly. Choose the buildings that matter most to you ahead of time, since the campus is spread out and traffic and parking can eat into your session. Check the campus calendar before booking, as major events at the Coliseum or the stadium can bring extra crowds and traffic to the area. Golden hour, the hour before sunset, is especially beautiful against the backdrop of Evansdale’s glass and modern architecture. Bring something that represents your major, like a hard hat, engineering tools, a textbook, a sketchbook, or a plant, to make your photos feel personal.
If you’re graduating in December, keep in mind that fall comes with earlier sunsets and changing weather. My guide to WVU December graduation photos walks through the best time to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About WVU Evansdale Graduation Photos
What is on WVU’s Evansdale campus? Evansdale is home to the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Creative Arts and Media, the College of Law, the Hope Coliseum, and more.
Where should engineering grads take graduation photos at WVU? The Engineering Sciences Building, the Advanced Engineering Research Building, and the Mineral Resources Building on Evansdale Drive are all great choices.
Can I take graduation photos on both campuses in one session? Yes, with the GRADuate 4.0 package, which takes you all over campus and includes an entire evening dedicated to your session. Standard sessions are centered at Woodburn Circle.
Is Evansdale less crowded than Woodburn Circle? It often is, especially during peak graduation season, when Woodburn Circle is one of the busiest photo spots on campus.
Celebrate Where Your WVU Story Happened
Your graduation photos should reflect the places that shaped your college experience. At Carrie White Photography, I love helping WVU grads celebrate across campus, from the historic brick of Woodburn Circle to the modern architecture of Evansdale.
Ready to book your WVU graduation pictures? Reach out today to plan a session that tells your WVU story. Let’s go, Mountaineers!
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