Graduation

GRADUATION READINESS CHECKLIST

GRADUATION CHECKLIST

  • Apply for graduation.​

  • Meet with your advisor to confirm that all academic requirements have been met. ​

  • Make sure your student account balance is cleared (payment plans in place) by April 17, 2026.​

  • Check your account balance periodically on MyVUU.​

  • Contact the Office of Student Accounts at (804) 257-5711 or studentaccounts@vuu.edu if you have questions about your account.​

  • If you received any federal student loans, complete the Financial Aid Exit Counseling (https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/ ) by April 3, 2026.  ​

  • Complete the Graduating Senior Survey.​

  • Return any library resources still in your possession by May 1, 2026.​

  • Pick up regalia from the Office of the Registrar.​

If you are no longer graduating during the 2025- 26Academic Year, please send a notice to withdraw your application to Registrar@vuu.edu.​

 

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

GRADUATION CANDIDATES

Graduation candidates must arrive at Ellison Hall at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, to assemble for the baccalaureate service, which will begin at 4:00 p.m. in Allix B. James Chapel. Appropriate attire and full regalia are required.

May 2026 Commencement

 

 

GRADUATION REHEARSAL

TRAFFIC, PARKING AND CAMPUS MAP

TRAFFIC AND PARKING

 

As we approach our commencement ceremony, please be aware of the following arrangements to ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration for all involved.

 

Traffic Advisory

Expect heavy traffic throughout the city, as neighboring universities will be hosting their commencement exercises the same day. We advise everyone to plan accordingly and allow extra time for travel to and from the ceremony.

 

Street Closure

Lombardy Street will close at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, between the circle and Brook Road. (See image below.) Signage and alternate route information will be provided, but please plan your travel with this closure in mind.

 

Gate Opening

The gates for visitors will open at 7:30 a.m. on commencement day. We recommend arriving early to navigate through the increased traffic to secure parking.

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HANDICAP SEATING AND SHUTTLE SERVICE

Handicap seating will be designated for guests. Please see an usher for assistance. Golf carts will provide shuttle service for guests who may need it.

COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE AND DECORUM

COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE

 

Baccalaureate and commencement at Virginia Union University are sacred ceremonies. As such, they are conducted with decorum, dignity, and pride. Appropriate academic regalia and accessories should complement the robe. The mortarboard is to be worn horizontally – not tilted. Appropriate attire is reflective of the importance of these occasions and is listed here:

 

  • NO Jeans
  • Black dresses of appropriate length with skin-toned or dark stockings or
  • Black dress pants with a white, collared shirt or blouse and neck/bow tie
  • Black shoes.  NOTE: Shoes should be low-heeled and comfortable. Students will be walking a considerable distance and onto the grass on Hovey Field.

Accessories

Regalia should be worn with limited jewelry. Oversized earrings, bangles, necklaces, pins, and other pieces are inappropriate. Do not bring/wear purses, flowers, sorority/fraternity Kente cloth stoles, corsages, ribbons, scarves, and the like. Cellphone use is prohibited during the processional and recessional at Hovey Field and school locations. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may lead to your removal from the processional.

 

 

 

COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

COMMENCEMENT LINEUP

                    

 

THE PROCESSIONAL

All schools will assemble at Pickford Hall for the processional, which will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026.   

 

 

 

SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

School of Arts and Sciences

1:00 p.m.

Hovey Stadium

Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education

1:00 p.m.

Coburn Hall

Sydney Lewis School of Business

3:00 p.m.

Hovey Stadium

Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology

3:00 p.m.

Coburn Hall

TICKETS

Commencement does not require tickets; seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

VENDORS

 

Food and beverage vendors will be available behind Barco Stevens Gymnasium throughout the day of Commencement.

DOCTORAL CANDIDATE - REGALIA INFORMATION

Doctoral candidates are responsible for the purchase of their regalia.  Regalia can be purchased through Herff-Jones at https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/  .

 

Graduation Application

This application must be filed by March 30th for July graduates, May 30th for December graduates, and September 30th for May graduates. A graduation fee of $154 will be charged to your account in the term that you expect to graduate. If you fail to graduate during the semester of application, the fee will be applied when requirements are satisfied. Commencement is held in May of each academic year.

The requirements for graduation are outlined in the University Catalog. It is the sole responsibility of each graduation candidate to meet with the academic advisor to determine if all institutional and departmental requirements for graduation have been met.  If you do not complete your requirements by the indicated date above, it is your responsibility to file a new application for a subsequent completion date.

If you will complete your degree requirements in December 2025, May 2026 or Summer 2026, please complete the graduation application by using the link below.

 

May 2026 Graduation Application_Late

Summer 2026 Graduation Application