What to expect: spring commencement

Here's a look at what to expect for graduates and their families at spring commencement ceremonies. A complete list of frequently asked questions can be found online. If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Special Events at 540-231-5027 or SpecialEventsOffice@vt.edu.

The basics

• When: Spring commencement for the university is Friday, May 15 in Lane Stadium. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. and gates open to the public at 7 a.m. The Graduate School ceremony is on Wednesday, May 13 at 3 p.m. and doors open at 2 p.m.
• College ceremonies: Each college will have their own ceremonies between Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, May 16.  A full schedule can be found online.
• Watch: All ceremonies are livestreamed. Tune in.  
• Share: Use #HokieGrad in your social posts.

What students need to do before commencement

• Log into HokieSpa.
  • Go to the HokieSpa Tab
  • Click the Graduation Menu
  • Select Undergraduate (or Graduate) Student Degree Menu
  • Click Add/Update Diploma Address
  • Click Add/Update
     
• Order cap and gown. 
  • For questions, contact the University Bookstore at 540-231-5991 or virginiatech@bkstr.com.
  • Honor sashes for those who qualify are available for purchase in person at the on-campus bookstore. The bookstore has a list of qualified students.
  • Cords, sashes, and stoles are acquired through individual departments, colleges, and organizations. For questions about particular cords, please reach out to the sponsoring organization.
  • Diploma frames can be ordered online with your cap and gown or at the bookstores. All diplomas are 13.5” x 15.5”.
  • Regalia is required for the ceremony and not available to rent. Students can borrow Virginia Tech regalia from elsewhere.

Day-of details

• When to arrive and where to go: For the university ceremony, graduates should arrive at 7 a.m. and enter through the South Endzone tunnel, between Gates 2 and 3. For the Graduate School ceremony, graduates should arrive at 2 p.m. and enter through the lower tunnel entrance from Beamer Way. Please plan ahead for heavier than normal traffic. Directional signs will be displayed for both ceremonies.  Graduates should arrive in their cap and gown and go through the security check. 
• What to bring: Graduates should bring a bottle of unopened water and cell phone. The clear bag policy is in effect for guests, but graduates are advised not to bring bags. A complete list of allowed and prohibited items can be found online. There will not be a secure location to leave any items outside of gates at any ceremony.
• The format: During the undergraduate ceremony, a keynote address will be given but graduates do not walk across the stage – this occurs at their individual college ceremonies. The university ceremony is where degree conferral by the university president takes place. The Graduate School ceremony recognizes interdisciplinary graduate education programs and Ph. D. candidates. All master’s degree graduates will be recognized at individual college ceremonies. 
• Photos: GradImages takes photos on and off stage and will email graduates who provided an email address to purchase photos.
• Jumbotron photo gallery: Submit your photos scroll across the Jumbotron by using #VT26 or #HokieGrad on social media. You can also upload photos directly using this link. 
• Concessions: There will be limited concessions open for ceremonies. 
• Animals: Pets are not allowed into any of the campus venues. Service animals are permitted. They must have a service animal vest and paperwork indicating they are a certified service animal. 
• ADA Accommodations: Requests for disability accommodations for student participants must be made to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at ssd@vt.edu or call 540-231-3788 or TTY 711 at least 10 business days in advance of the ceremony date. Complete ADA information can be found online.