Weather Update:

The University will be closed on Friday, February 21, due to weather conditions in our immediate area. All non-essential employees should work remotely from home.  Students should monitor their University email and check Blackboard for faculty instructions, as some classes will be conducted remotely. Essential personnel should report to campus as scheduled.

We anticipate returning to normal operations on Monday, February 24.

Additional Information

Commencement Ceremony: May 2025

FAQs and Important Information

Baccalaureate Service

Friday, May 16
5:30 p.m. Pre-Service Concert by Vox Vera
6:00 p.m. Program
Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center 
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455

Baccalaureate Speaker
Bishop Courtney McBath, President of Virginia Christian College and founding pastor of Calvary Revival Church

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 17
10:00 a.m.
TowneBank Arena, Jane P. Batten Student Center
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455

Commencement Speaker
Captain Janet Days, Commander of Naval Station Norfolk

Mandatory rehearsal will take place on  Friday, May 16th, 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, 2025.

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

  • a Graduate Giving Cord to wear at Commencement
  • a VWU alumni t-shirt
  • a VWU alumni car decal
  • your name on Marlin Graduation Celebration wall outside of Campus Life

Commencement Tickets

Due to occupancy restrictions associated with fire code, tickets are required for the Commencement Ceremony. Seven (7) tickets are available for each graduate and will be distributed as needed when caps and gowns are collected. If more tickets become available, graduates will be able to request additional tickets on a first come, first serve basis starting April 15. 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