FAQs

When is commencement?

University Commencement will be held on Friday, May 14, 2027. College ceremonies will take place between Saturday, May 8 and Saturday, May 15, 2027.

Where will ceremonies take place?

Commencement ceremonies will take place across four campus venues:

Lane Stadium
Cassell Coliseum
The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech
Burruss Hall
Check the Commencement Schedule for your ceremony's date, time, and location.
To help ensure a smooth arrival process, please note that designated entrances will be used at each venue. For Lane Stadium, guests should enter through Gates 2, 3, or 6.

Is this year's schedule different?

Due to the continued growth in graduating students, additional ceremonies and new venues have been added this year.
University leadership, colleges, and campus partners worked together to create a schedule that supports a positive commencement experience for graduates and their families while accommodating venue capacity and college traditions.
Every graduate will have the opportunity to walk across the stage with their college, and some ceremonies will be shorter in length.

When will the master degree student ceremony be?

Master's degree candidates and Graduate School certificate students will be recognized and walk across the stage at their respective college ceremony. They are also invited to attend the University Commencement ceremony on May 14, where degrees will be conferred.

The Graduate School ceremony on May 12 is reserved for Ph.D. candidates and students in interdisciplinary graduate education programs.

What can I expect during each ceremony?

Ceremony Information

Unless otherwise noted on the schedule, ceremonies are expected to last approximately two hours.

University Commencement Ceremony

The University Commencement ceremony includes remarks from President Tim Sands, student speakers, and a keynote speaker.

Degrees are formally conferred only during the University Commencement ceremony. Graduates will not walk across the stage or have their names announced during this ceremony.

Graduate School Ceremony

The Graduate School ceremony is held for Ph.D. candidates and students in Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Programs.

During this ceremony, graduates will participate in:

Hooding
Walking across the stage
Degree conferral

College Ceremonies

College ceremonies provide undergraduate and master's degree candidates the opportunity to:

Walk across the stage
Have their names announced

Graduates will complete a card with the phonetic spelling of their name for the announcer to read during the ceremony. College of Engineering students will submit this information in advance as part of the registration process.

Graduate Arrival Information

Graduates should plan to arrive early and report to the appropriate check-in location.

Ceremony	Arrival Time
University Commencement	7 a.m.
Graduate School Ceremony	2 p.m.
Individual College Ceremonies	1 hour before ceremony

Check-In Locations

Lane Stadium: Enter through the tunnel between Gates 2 and 3.
Cassell Coliseum: Enter through the Cassell Coliseum tunnel entrance.
Burruss Hall Auditorium: Enter through the tunnel on the Pamplin Hall side.

How will I know which ceremony my major will be recognized?

If your college hosts more than one commencement ceremony, the schedule will indicate which majors and departments are recognized during each ceremony. If you do not see your major or department listed, please contact your college for assistance. Because ceremony assignments may change, graduates are encouraged to review the schedule and verify their ceremony information with their college closer to the commencement date.

Do I have to attend the ceremony my major/department is listed under or can I pick any of the ceremonies for my college?

To provide the best experience, graduates should attend the ceremony their major/department is listed. If you are unable to attend the assigned ceremony, please work directly with the college to see if arrangements can be made to attend another one of the college’s ceremonies.

What will happen if there is inclement weather?

In the event of inclement weather, the university will communicate any changes or updates through email, the Commencement website, the Virginia Tech homepage, the Hokie Ready app, and official university social media channels.

University Commencement Ceremony

If severe weather impacts the University Commencement ceremony, the university will make a decision that prioritizes the safety of graduates and guests. Because no indoor venue on campus can accommodate the graduating class and more than 40,000 guests, every reasonable effort will be made to hold the ceremony as scheduled.

If severe weather occurs during the ceremony, graduates and guests should follow all announcements and instructions from event officials.

Preparing for Weather Conditions

If rain is forecast, graduates and guests should plan accordingly.

Guests may wish to bring:

Ponchos or raincoats
Umbrellas
A seat cushion or other item to cover wet bleachers

Umbrellas are permitted in the Lane Stadium stands; however, their use during the ceremony is discouraged as they may obstruct the view of others.

Graduates should bring:

A poncho or raincoat

Umbrellas are not permitted on the field. Ponchos will be available for graduates if needed.

Do friends and family need tickets to attend commencement?

Center for the Arts Ceremonies

Tickets are required for ceremonies held at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, including:

Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine DVM Ceremony
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Bachelor of Science in Public Health Ceremony
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Master's Ceremony

These ceremonies will be held in the Center for the Arts. Colleges will communicate directly with graduates regarding ticket distribution and ceremony-specific details.

College of Engineering Ceremonies

To accommodate all graduates and their guests, each College of Engineering ceremony requests that graduates limit their guests to 10 people or fewer.

University Commencement

Tickets are not required for University Commencement.
There is no limit on the number of guests who may attend.

International Guests Requiring a Visa

Graduates who have guests traveling from outside the United States may request a graduation invitation letter to support a U.S. visa application.

For information about the Graduation Invitation Letter (International Guests) process, visit the Academic Records Verification section of the Registrar's Office website.

Registrar's Office

Email: registrar@vt.edu
Phone: 540-231-6252

Will the clear bag policy be in effect for commencement?

The clear bag policy is in effect at all commencement venues and applies to all guests. Graduates are strongly encouraged not to bring bags to their ceremonies.

Permitted Bags

Guests may bring one of the following:

One clear plastic bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"
One-gallon clear, resealable plastic storage bag

All guests will pass through walk-through metal detectors before entering the venue.

Please note:

All items, including clear bags, are subject to search.
Security personnel may conduct additional screening as needed.
No items may be left or stored at venue entrances or gates.

Flowers are permitted inside commencement venues.

The following items are not permitted:

Wrapped gifts or presents
Gift bags
Non-clear bags and containers
Any other prohibited items identified during security screening

Attendees who bring prohibited items will be required to dispose of them or return them to their vehicle before entering the venue.

To help expedite entry, bring only essential items and review venue policies before arriving

Will there be metal detectors at the events?

As part of Virginia Tech's commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all commencement attendees, security screening will be in place at all graduation and commencement ceremonies. Guests and graduates should follow the guidance provided by event staff and security personnel upon arrival.

All attendees will pass through touchless, walk-through metal detectors before entering the venue.

When proceeding through the screening area:

Walk through the metal detector at a normal pace.
Belts, cell phones, coins, jackets, jewelry, watches, wallets, shoes, and other small personal items generally do not need to be removed.
Follow instructions from security personnel throughout the screening process.

Additional Screening

If the detector identifies an item that requires further review, security staff will direct you to a secondary screening area.

During secondary screening, attendees may be asked to:

Remove certain items for inspection.
Pass through the metal detector again.
Comply with additional screening procedures as directed by security personnel.

Prohibited Items

Attendees who arrive with prohibited items will be required to:

Dispose of the item, or
Return the item to their vehicle before entering the venue.

We encourage all attendees to arrive early to allow sufficient time for security screening before the ceremony begins.

Are there other security checks?

All persons entering the venue may be subject to search prior to entering, consistent with the law.

Where can I find information on parking for each ceremony location?

Details on parking for each commencement ceremony location can be found online.

Is there shuttle service or other transportation to commencement?

There is no shuttle service available for commencement at this time, but Blacksburg Transit will be operating. For more information visit the BT website.

Can I bring in food? Will concessions be available?

Guests may only bring in a factory sealed bottle of water. Concessions will be available only at Lane Stadium or Cassell Coliseum, but payment will be credit card only, no cash.

Graduates are highly encouraged to bring in a factory sealed bottle of water. There is no concession access for graduates.

Where can I meet my graduate or family after the ceremony?

To allow staff time to clean and prepare for the next ceremony, graduates and guests are asked to exit promptly following each ceremony.

Important Information for Graduates

Guests are not permitted in graduate staging or graduate-only areas at any ceremony location.
Graduates must exit through the same entrance they used to enter the venue.

Graduate entrances:

Lane Stadium: Tunnel between Gates 2 and 3
Cassell Coliseum: Coleisum Tunnel entrance

Meeting Family and Guests

Graduates are encouraged to arrange a meeting location with family and guests before the ceremony.

To help ensure a smooth departure and arrival process for all attendees:

Meet outside of Lane Stadium, Cassell Coliseum, or Burruss Hall.
Choose a location away from venue entrances and exits.
Do not block roadways, walkways, or venue access points.
Be mindful of other guests arriving for subsequent ceremonies.

Will the commencement ceremonies be live streamed?

Yes, all ceremonies will be livestreamed. Visit the Virginia Tech home page or commencement.vt.edu/watch to view the ceremonies.

I need an accommodation and/or someone in my family will require a special accommodation, who should I contact?

Student Accommodation Requests

Requests for disability accommodations for student participants must be made to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at ssd@vt.edu at least 10 business days in advance of the ceremony date.

Guest Accommodation Requests

Virginia Tech is committed to providing an accessible commencement experience for all guests. If you need accommodations for an individual college commencement ceremony, please contact the Office of Special Events at SpecialEventsOffice@vt.edu or 540-231-5027 at least 10 business days before the ceremony date. Our team will review your request and assist with any necessary arrangements.

Additional Information

For questions regarding accessibility and disability accommodations for Commencement ceremonies, please contact the Virginia Tech Office of Special Events.

Office of Special Events:

540-231-5027
SpecialEventsOffice@vt.edu

How do I prepare for commencement?

Apply for your degree via Hokie Spa.
Update your mailing address so your diploma is shipped to the right location.
Use #HokieGrad to share your photos and be included in the ceremony.
Order your cap and gown at Grad Fair or online.

What should graduates wear to commencement?

Graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in any ceremony. Regalia can be purchased online. Please place your order prior to Feb. 23 to received your cap and gown package in approximately three to four weeks.

For questions, contact the University Bookstore at 540-231-5991 or virginiatech@bkstr.com.

How do I get my cords?

Cords, sashes, and stoles are acquired through individual departments, colleges, and organizations. For questions about particular cords, please reach out to the sponsoring organization.

How do I purchase honor sashes?

Honor sashes for those who qualify will be available for purchase in person at the on-campus bookstore.

What is included on graduation announcements?

Students choose what they want to include in announcements. Announcements can be purchased online. A list of degrees are available online.

I want to frame my diploma, what size is it?

Effective spring 2024 all Virginia Tech (undergraduate and graduate) diplomas are 13.5” x 15.5”.

How can I get the photo of me walking across the stage?

GradImages will be at each college ceremony. GradImages take photos on the stage and a head shot off stage and will email graduates who provided an email address to purchase photos.

Only the photos taken by GradImages will be sent to students.

If you have any questions regarding these photos, contact GradImages at gradimages.com and or (800) 261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

How can I share my commencement photos?

Use #HokieGrad in your social posts. We'll be sharing photos before the university ceremony. You can also submit your photos directly to us here.

I’ve purchased my cap and gown, but I’d like to return them. How does that process work?

Caps and gowns can be returned minus the cost of shipping. Packages must be sealed, and they must be returned prior to graduation.

If you purchased a cap and gown online for pickup, please contact the bookstore to process your return. You can email 2130mgr@follett.com to request a refund for any online orders.

Customers with specific questions may contact the bookstore by phone, email, or send a message directly from the return policy page. The University Bookstore can be reached at (540) 231-5991 or email 2130mgr@follett.com. The address to ship returns is 115 Kent St., Blacksburg, VA 24061.

How will I get my diploma?

All undergraduate and Graduate School diplomas will be mailed to graduating students as soon as possible. Diplomas will no longer be available for pick-up in person. If your diploma mailing address is a Blacksburg residence, please email diploma@vt.edu to confirm this. Without confirmation your diploma will not be ordered. Diplomas will only be ordered if a diploma mailing address has been provided. Please update your diploma mailing address by following these instructions:

Log into HokieSpa: http://hokiespa.vt.edu
Go to the HokieSpa Tab
Click the Graduation Menu
Select Undergraduate (or Graduate) Student Degree Menu
Click Add/Update Diploma Address
Click Add/Update

Students living in the United States will receive their diploma within two weeks once the email with tracking information is issued. Students living outside the United States should allow up to eight weeks for international shipments.

Certified Electronic Diplomas (CeDiploma) may be available prior to receiving your printed diploma. You will be notified via email when your CeDiploma is available to order with instructions on how to order it.

If you need verification immediately following graduation, you may request a certified letter or order your official transcripts through HokieSpa.

For undergraduate students with questions about the diploma mailing process, please contact Rebecca Jones at beccaj@vt.edu.

For Graduate School students with questions about the diploma mailing process, please contact Graduate Admissions and Academic Progress at grads@vt.edu.

What local lodging options are available for commencement?

For spring commencement, residence halls reservations are currently full with a waitlist available through Residential Experience for families and guests of graduates.

Guests can also find a directory of lodging options in the area online. For more information please contact the Montgomery County Regional Tourism office at info@GotoMontVA.com.

Residence halls and lodgings fill up quickly and are not monitored by this site. Please contact individual lodgings for availability.

Don't see the answer to your question here? Please reach out to the Office of Special Events at SpecialEventsOffice@vt.edu or 540-231-5027.