Congratulations, parents and families! Your senior will be walking across the stage on Saturday, May 13.
The Commencement ceremony is an event recognizing the graduates’ achievements during their time at the University of Mary Washington. We invite your family and friends to celebrate the students’ well deserved accomplishments.
Your Timeline
7:00 a.m.: The field at Ball Circle opens for seating. Guest seating is not reserved and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the ceremony. Both Lee Hall (University Bookstore) and the University Center will be open at this time with coffee and food items available for sale.
8:15 a.m.: Candidates for undergraduate Commencement line up around Jefferson Square.
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.: Processional and Commencement Ceremony – The procession will begin promptly at 9 a.m. when graduates move from the Bell Tower to Ball Circle on Campus Walk. Once the procession begins, guests will not have access to Campus Walk until everyone is seated. The ceremony is typically three hours, concluding by noon.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Commencement Picnic, Palmieri Plaza. Tickets are available for purchase online. A limited number of tickets may be available to purchase on site the day of the event.
Parking for Commencement
- Guests and graduates may park anywhere on campus including any faculty/staff parking lot not designated as reserved, handicapped, or full.
- Additional parking may be found at the parking deck off Route 1 on Alvey Drive and along College Avenue. Please be careful not to park on city streets marked residential parking permit only.
- The George Washington Hall parking lot is designated for handicapped parking for Commencement. 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 to take photographs during the ceremony.
Applaud with Flowers
A flower vendor will be on campus walk for guests to purchase flowers for their graduate. You’re encouraged to pre-order flowers from our vendor for the best selection.
Celebration Picnic – 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Following the ceremony, you are invited to celebrate at the Commencement Picnic on Palmieri Plaza at the Monroe Fountain. Tickets are required and can be purchased online. A limited number of tickets MAY be available for sale the day of the event. For more information on tickets delivery/pick-up and picnic menu, please visit the Undergraduate Picnic page.
What if there’s severe weather?
The University holds Commencement exercises outdoors, even when it is raining, so please dress accordingly. However, in the event of extreme or dangerous weather, such as a severe thunderstorm, Commencement will be moved inside. If necessary, more information on the severe weather plan will be posted closer to Commencement.
Can’t attend in person?
The University will record the celebration and stream it live from our website on Saturday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Thank you for being a part of our community. It has been a pleasure to see our soon-to-be alumni grow with us. Detailed information about all parts or Undergraduate Commencement is on our site: https://www.umw.edu/commencement/
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.