Commencement Ceremonies, May 2024

FAQs and Important Information

Batten Honors College Capstone Ceremony
For parents of students in the Batten Honors College

Friday, May 17
4:00 p.m.
Brock Theatre, Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455

Baccalaureate Service

Friday, May 17
5:30 p.m. Pre-Service Concert by Vox Vera
6:00 p.m. Program
Brock Theatre, Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center 
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455

Baccalaureate Speaker
R. Perez Gatling, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 18
10:00 a.m.
TowneBank Arena, Jane P. Batten Student Center
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455

Commencement Speaker
U.S. Senator Mark Warner

Mandatory rehearsal will take place on  Friday, May 17th, 11:00 a.m. in CMAC

Commencement Announcements

Graduate announcements may be purchased through the University Store website. The University Store in Batten Plaza will be open on Commencement Day. VWU diploma frames, apparel, and other University memorabilia will be available for purchase.

Graduation Cap and Gown and Commencement Fee

Students participating in the Commencement Ceremony must submit their Graduation Cap and Gown and Commencement Fee (which includes the cost of ceremony regalia) by March 15, 2024.

Graduates are also able to contribute to the Graduate Giving Package to receive:

  • VWU alumni t-shirt
  • Extra drink ticket for Wesleyan Wednesday at APEX (each graduate who attends gets one already)
  • Name on Marlin Graduation Celebration wall outside of Campus Life
  • Giving cord
  • VWU alumni car decal

Commencement Tickets

Due to occupancy restrictions associated with fire code, tickets are required for the Commencement Ceremony. Eight (8) tickets are available for each graduate and will be distributed as needed when caps and gowns are collected. Students may request additional tickets. Tickets will be collected prior to the ceremony upon entrance to TowneBank Arena. 
Read more in Commencement FAQs and Important Information

Photography and Video

GradImages provides photographs of each graduate who crosses the dais during Commencement. Photos may be purchased at gradimages.com (graduates will receive a coupon for 20% off photo orders when they pre-register before Commencement Day). Questions can be addressed to 800.261.2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. There is no obligation to purchase photos. Candid photography will also be available for download on the University Flickr page. An archived video of the ceremony will be available through the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.

FAQs and Important Information