FAQs and Important Information
Baccalaureate Service
Friday, May 15
5:30 p.m. Preludial 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
Reverend Brian Boettcher '12, Pastor of Granbury Memorial United Methodist Church
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 16
10:00 a.m.
TowneBank Arena,
Jane P. Batten Student Center
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Dr., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455
Commencement Speaker
Clifford B. "Cliff" Fleet III, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Williamsburg Foundation
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 13, 2026.
Graduates are also able to contribute to the Graduate Giving Package to receive:
- A coastal blue philanthropy cord to wear at Commencement
- A VWU alumni t-shirt
- Your name on the Graduation Celebration wall outside of the Office of Campus Life
All graduate giving packages need to be picked up during the week of commencement outside of Campus Life, and at rehearsal.
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 20. 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.