- Do I need tickets for Commencement and how many guests can attend?
- What programs are held on Friday and Saturday? Are these graduation ceremonies?
- How long will the Commencement ceremony last?
- Where is Commencement parking?
- Are there seating and parking accommodations for those with special needs?
- Is wheelchair rental available through the University?
- How do I order a Commencement Ceremony video?
- Where can I buy flowers for my graduate on Commencement morning?
- Where do graduates report on Commencement morning?
- How do I order graduation announcements?
- Is there a separate graduation ceremony for students who graduate in September or December?
- If I graduate in September or December, can I participate in the May Commencement Ceremony?
- Where do I pick up my diploma?
- What size are the diplomas? Can I buy a frame from the University?
- If I don’t participate in Commencement, how do I get my diploma?
- What happens if I am graduating with a double major?
- What is the Senior Survey?
- How do undergraduate Seniors apply to be come the student Commencement speaker?
Do I need tickets for Commencement and how many guests can attend?
If the Commencement ceremony is held outdoors in the Stadium, as expected, tickets are not necessary and graduates may have as many guests attend as they wish. In the event of severe weather (thunder, lightening, very heavy rain) the Commencement ceremony will be moved indoors to the Pavilion. Graduates will be issued a total of 4 Severe Weather Tickets when they pick up their cap and gown (2 for the live ceremony in the Pavilion and 2 for the simulcast in the Jake Nevin Field House). Due to seating limitations, additional Severe Weather Tickets are not available, and requests for additional tickets cannot be honored.
What programs are held on Friday and Saturday? Are these graduation ceremonies?
On Friday and Saturday of Commencement weekend, all four Colleges hold recognition ceremonies for their graduates. These ceremonies are not graduation ceremonies and diplomas are not awarded at this time. However, students are asked to be in academic attire for the events. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has two ceremonies. The undergraduate Recognition Ceremony is held on Friday afternoon at 4:00pm in the Pavilion. The School of Business' recognition program is on Saturday and starts at 8:30 am in the Pavilion, and recognizes each undergraduate and graduate candidate by name. The College of Nursing has a Convocation held at 9:30 am in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. A reception for nursing graduates and their guests is held afterward. The number of guests for the Convocation is limited, and additional requests for tickets cannot be honored due to space limitations. The College of Engineering's Recognition Ceremony is held at 10:00am on Mendel Field for all undergraduate and graduate candidates. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Graduate Studies holds a ceremony and reception on Mendel Field at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center.
Please note: All potential graduates (and graduates from the previous September & December) will receive more information about each of these ceremonies in the Spring semester. The Commencement Information Booklet with detailed information about the entire Commencement weekend will be mailed during the Spring Semester. Students should be sure that their current address information on file with the University is correct, since information pertaining to graduation events will be sent to the permanent home address listed with the University.
How long will the Commencement ceremony last?
The University-wide Commencement ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
Where is Commencement parking?
Parking for all ceremonies will be available in the Main Parking Lots, directly across from the University on Lancaster Avenue, with overflow parking available in the South Campus lots on Ithan Avenue, and the Law School Garage on the west side of the campus. Parking conditions are extremely crowded for Commencement. We urge you and your guests to arrive early and to car pool, or consider taking the SEPTA R-5 Regional Rail.
Are there seating and parking accommodations for those with special needs?
If you have guests who may be unable to manage the bleachers, please alert an usher at any entrance. The usher will direct you to the Special Needs Seating Area on the field. Please allow only 1 or 2 guests to accompany those who require Special Needs Seating so as to secure enough seats for all of our guests with special needs. There is no need to register in advance for these seats. Guests may also view a simulcast of the Commencement Ceremony in the Jake Nevin Field House regardless of weather. Dropping off disabled and elderly guests for the Baccalaureate Mass or Commencement may be facilitated in the Galberry Hall driveway at the East end of the Stadium on Lancaster Avenue. Drivers will be directed to park at the nearest location after dropping off their passengers. A very limited number of parking spaces for those with special needs are available in Galberry Hall and behind the Stadium. Only cars displaying handicapped plates or hang tags are eligible to park behind the Stadium. These spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no need to register in advance for handicapped parking. Guests who require a Sign Language Interpreter should contact The Office of The President at (610) 519-8882 to secure special reserved seating.
Is wheelchair rental available through the University?
Villanova does not rent/loan wheelchairs for guests with special needs. Medical supply companies in the area can assist you:
Medical Home Care, Wayne - (610) 687-6585
How do I order a Commencement Ceremony video?
The Villanova University Media Technologies and Creative Design Department will produce a video of the University’s Main Commencement Ceremony which will be available the following August. A special post card with ordering information will be mailed to all graduate’s permanent home addresses approximately 2 weeks after graduation in May. For more information, or if you do not receive an order card, please call (610) 519-4289.
Where can I buy flowers for my graduate on Commencement morning?
Commencement Flowers will offer bouquets for sale in front of the Jake Nevin Field House on graduation morning. Flowers can also be ordered in advance (online orders must be placed at least 5 business days in advance - Visa & MasterCard only please) online for Sunday morning pick up.
Where do graduates report on Commencement morning?
All graduates must report no later than 9:15 am (arrival prior to 9:00 am is preferred) to their assigned reporting stations:
Liberal Arts and Sciences – The Pavilion
Villanova School of Business – Butler Annex
Engineering – Jake Nevin Field House
Nursing – Jake Nevin Field House
How do I order graduation announcements?
Graduation announcements, thank you notes, and other commemorative items are available to Villanova graduates by the Balfour Company. Information and order forms will be mailed in February to the permanent home address of all prospective graduates. Graduates should check their permanent home address in NOVASIS to make sure the University has the correct address on file. Please allow 3 - 4 weeks for delivery of all personalized graduation products. If you have any questions about graduation products, please call Balfour directly at 1-877-BALFOUR (1-877-225-3687)
Is there a separate graduation ceremony for students who graduate in September or December?
Villanova holds one Commencement Ceremony each year in May for all graduates. All September & December graduates (prior to the upcoming graduation year) will receive the Commencement Information Booklet and will be automatically included on the list that permits cap & gown pick up in May. September & December graduates do not need to notify the University about their plans to attend Commencement in advance.
If I graduate in September or December, can I participate in the May Commencement Ceremony?
September and December graduates may participate in the Commencement Ceremony in May following the completion of their degree. If September or December grads wish to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony preceding their actual graduation, they must receive permission from their Academic Dean in order to do so. Graduates who wish to participate in graduation before their degree is completed must visit the Dean's Office and complete a "Request to Participate" form (also known as "walker" form) which must be signed by the Department Chair as well as a representative from the Dean's Office. Please note: candidates who choose this option will not have their name listed in the Commencement Ceremony Program and will not be issued a diploma until their degree requirements are completed.
Where do I pick up my diploma?
Graduates will receive their diplomas at individual college locations, immediately following the Commencement Ceremony. Any diplomas that are not picked up after the Commencement Ceremony will be mailed to the graduate's permanent home address on file with the University. September and December graduates will receive their diplomas in the mail.
What size are the diplomas? Can I buy a frame from the University?
Diplomas measure 16" wide and 12" high. A variety of frames can be purchased from the University Shop - either in person and online.
If I don’t participate in Commencement, how do I get my diploma?
The Registrar’s Office will mail any diploma not picked up after Commencement to the permanent home address on file with the University. Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery.
What happens if I am graduating with a double major?
If a student has a double major within the same degree, she/he will receive only one diploma. For example, a graduate with majors in both English and History would receive a diploma for the BACHELOR OF ARTS degree; a student with majors in Finance and Management would receive a BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (majors are not listed on the diploma). If a student is in two different degree programs, she/he would receive a diploma for each. An example would be a student in Accounting and Finance, who would receive the degrees BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY and BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. For additional questions about diplomas, please contact the Office of the Registrar - (610) 519-4030.
What is the Senior Survey?
Each year, Villanova collects important data from its graduating full-time and part-time undergraduate Seniors through the Senior Survey (graduate students need not complete the survey). Prospective graduates will be contacted by OPIR and Career Services via email in the Spring semester to complete a two-part survey. Grads will also be able to access the Survey through the Commencement website. Graduating Seniors will be asked to complete both parts of the Senior Survey prior to receiving their academic attire.
How do undergraduate Seniors apply to be come the student Commencement speaker?
During the Spring semester prior to graduation, all qualifying Seniors will receive a letter from their Academic Dean's Office with instructions for the application process. Letters will be mailed to the local address (if one is registered with the University) or to the permanent home address (Seniors - please verify your current address in NOVASIS) of each graduating Senior. One student from each Academic College will be selected to participate in a final competition where the student speaker will be chosen. Students who have questions about the student Commencement speaker should contact the Dean's office of their College.
