Congratulations parents! Your senior will be walking across the stage on Saturday, May 12th.
The Commencement Ceremony is our premiere event recognizing our graduates’ achievements during their time at University of Mary Washington. We invite your family and friends to celebrate the students’ well deserved acknowledgments. Thank you for being a part of our community and it has been a pleasure to see our soon-to-be alumni grow with us. To ensure you enjoy the ceremony, please visit our website at www.umw.edu/commencement . We included information below to help you prepare for the big day!
7:00 a.m.: The field at Ball Circle opens for seating. Tickets are not required and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
8:15 a.m.: Candidates for Undergraduate Commencement line up around Jefferson Square.
9:00 a.m.: The procession begins promptly as the Bell Tower chimes and campus walk is temporarily closed until the graduates are in place and the ceremony begins. Please dress for the day. The ceremony is expected to conclude just before noon.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: The Commencement Luncheon immediately follows the ceremony in the Chandler ballroom of the University Center. Enjoy a delicious buffet and relax with family and friends! Tickets are available for advance purchase online. A limited number of tickets may be available to purchase on-site.
Where to Park?
- Guests and graduates may park anywhere on campus that is not designated as reserved, handicapped, or full.
- Additional parking may be found at the parking deck, on Alvey Drive, and along College Avenue. Please be careful not to park where it is noted as residential parking.
- George Washington Hall, Lee Hall, and Monroe Hall Parking Lots are designated for handicapped parking. There will be golf carts transporting guests needing special assistance to Ball Circle, the venue of the event.
Need Special Accommodations?
All venues are wheelchair accessible. The University will be providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. Please contact the Events Office as soon as possible to arrange for reserved seating.
- Call (540) 654-1087 or submit the Contact Us form
Remember the Moments
A professional photographer from GradImages® will be at the commencement ceremony to photograph each graduate upon exiting the stage. Graduates will receive a free passport-sized digital proof via email within 1 to 3 days and via postal mail within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. After Commencement, orders may be placed online or by calling 1-800-261-2576. Guests are welcome take photographs during the ceremony.
Applaud with Flowers
A flower vendor will be on campus walk for guests to purchase flowers for their graduate. Please pre-order flowers from our vendor.
What if there’s Severe Weather?
The University holds commencement exercises outdoors, even when it is raining, so dress accordingly. However, in the event of extreme or dangerous weather, such as a severe thunderstorm, the University will post updates on the Commencement website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at 540-654-1276 or email agauch@umw.edu and it will be my pleasure to assist you.
Ali Hieber, Coordinator of Community Events