Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Class of 2024 undergraduate students will receive information via email with all action items and deadlines related to Commencement. Additionally, all action items and information can be found in the Graduation Task Center in MyNova. Graduates should be sure to complete all requirements by the deadline in order to participate in graduation. Please contact commencement@villanova.edu with any questions.

The Class of 2024 will have the opportunity to celebrate with one another through a variety of events. Please see the full Schedule of Events for additional information.

Friday, May 10 is the start of the Class of 2024 Senior Week activities with The Final Feast. Graduates will have the opportunity to eat at the Court at Donahue for the final time, enjoying many Villanova dining hall staples.

Saturday, May 11 is "Ales Well That Ends Well" at Workhorse Brewing in King of Prussia. The brewery is hosting members of the senior class for a brewery tour, fun, and entertainment.

Sunday, May 12 is the Senior Mass at the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Following mass, graduates are welcome to join each other for "Twilight Shadows Gather," a brief candlelit program and singing of the Alma Mater at the Rowen Campus Green.

Monday, May 13 is "Last Call!" at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia. Members of the Class of 2024 will enjoy a night at the infamous sports bar with drinks, music, and fun!

Tuesday, May 14 is the Class of 2024 Senior Picnic, an annual event that brings the Class of 2024 together for a relaxing afternoon on campus.  

Wednesday, May 15 is the Class of 2024 Blue & White Bash. This unique annual event features music, dancing, entertainment, food, and drink! Dress in blue and white; both formal and casual attire is welcome!

Thursday, May 16 is the beginning of the Commencement Weekend activities with the Wildcat Crossing, a special ceremony honoring graduating seniors whose stories or identities are underrepresented on our campus, or who have required extra strength or resilience to graduate from Villanova University.

Friday, May 17 is the Baccalaureate Mass on the Campus Green. All faiths are welcome at this beautiful event that brings the community together. A special Augustinian blessing offered at the end of the Mass is one of Villanova's most treasured traditions. No RSVP required.

Immediately following Baccalaureate Mass will be Lunch on the Green, a picnic-style lunch provided by Wawa to be enjoyed outside on campus. Graduates and their guests may purchase lunch in advance online. Ordering will be in late Spring 2024.

The Bachelor's Degree Commencement and Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2024 will be held on Friday afternoon in the Villanova Stadium. University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA and the deans from each of the Colleges and Schools will confer degrees. At this ceremony, the names of all graduates will be called, and graduates will walk across the stage. The ceremony is approximately three hours, and each graduate is permitted up to four guests. Tickets will be distributed digitally in early May. Gates to the stadium will open at 1:00 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m.

Immediately following Commencement is the President's and Deans' Reception where graduates and their guests can enjoy light refreshments while celebrating with fellow graduates and faculty in college-designated locations throughout campus.

• School of Business: Bartley Hall
• College of Engineering: Finneran Pavilion
• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Connelly Center
• Fitzpatrick College of Nursing: Driscoll Hall
• College of Professional Studies: Connelly Center

All graduates and guests will need a Commencement parking pass to park on campus during graduation weekend in designated parking lots. Graduates will be provided with two (2) digital Commencement parking passes to use for themselves and or their guests. Regular campus parking permits will not be valid. 

Arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested. Graduates and guests are encouraged to carpool or utilize public transportation or Uber/Lyft. As parking lots fill, vehicles will be directed to the next available lot.

View the Commencement Parking Map

Shuttles and Ride Sharing

Shuttles will pick-up and drop-off at designated locations on campus and at the Radnor Financial Center parking lot from 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.

Use of ride share services such as Uber or Lyft is encouraged, and drivers should be directed to drop-off at the M-1 or M-2 lots (access via the main entrance on Ithan Ave.), or the A-2 lot (access via the Galberry Hall entrance on Lancaster Ave.).

Graduates will be provided four digital guest tickets for the Commencement Ceremony. Tickets will be available in early May, and graduates are responsible for distributing digital tickets to their guests prior to the ceremony. Children under 3 years of age do not need a ticket to attend.

Graduates will sit together on the stadium field in college-designated areas, and ticketed guests may sit throughout the stadium on the field and bleachers. Gates to the stadium will open at 1:00pm. The faculty procession begins at 2:15pm and the ceremony is approximately 3 hours long. 

View the Commencement Seating Map

In the event of severe weather, the Commencement Ceremony will be moved indoors and will be limited to graduates and two guests only. 

The Baccalaureate Mass will be moved into the Finneran Pavilion in the event of rain, and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of Mass.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held outdoors rain or shine.  If necessary, the ceremony start time may be adjusted in the case of a passing weather system.  In the event of severe weather where we are unable to safely hold the ceremony outdoors, Commencement will be moved into the Finneran Pavilion and will be limited to graduates and two guests only. Due to fire code and building capacity, no exceptions for additional guests will be made. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. These details, and any changes, will be communicated via email and text alerts as needed. 

Register for Commencement Text Alerts for schedule changes and weather updates. Text NOVAGRAD to 888777.

Please see the following information regarding available accommodations during Graduation Weekend. Events will be held throughout campus, and graduates and guests who may have difficulty walking should bring any needed equipment (i.e. wheelchair, walker, etc), as the University will not have equipment available for loan. 

VEHICLE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR GUESTS WITH MOBILITY NEEDS

Guests with mobility needs may be dropped off near each venue at the designated special needs drop-off locations. No special pass is needed to utilize the drop-off locations. Once the guest is dropped-off, the driver will be directed to park in an available campus lot. Guests planning to utilize the drop-off locations should plan to arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested. 

DESIGNATED ACCESSIBLE PARKING LOTS

Vehicles with state-issued handicapped placards may park in the designated accessible parking lots.

Please note that accessible parking lots are limited. Guests should plan to arrive early and may utilize the drop-off locations near each venue.

ACCESSIBLE VENUES AND SEATING

All graduation venues are accessible. Additionally, accessible seating will be available for guests who may not be able to manage bleacher seating. No reservation or special tickets are required for accessible seating. Ushers will be available to direct guests to accessible seating as needed.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Graduates and guests may request a sign language interpreter by emailing commencement@villanova.edu. 

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Graduates and guests with questions or requests regarding accommodations may email commencement@villanova.edu.

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page as well as the Graduation Task Center in MyNova for more important information.

ACADEMIC ATTIRE / CAP & GOWN

Once graduates submit their Commencement registration through MarchingOrder, the confirmation page will contain a link to order their cap and gown through our partner Herff Jones. There is no charge for the cap and gown, and it will be shipped to the address provided on the order form. Ordering will open in Spring 2024.

DIPLOMAS

The Registrar's Office will mail all diplomas to the address provided on the Prospective Graduate Form/Application to Graduate.  In the absence of a completed form, diplomas will be mailed to the graduates' permanent home address of record.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after Commencement.  Diplomas display the official degree titles only. All majors, minors and concentrations are listed on transcripts. If you need to make special arrangements for pickup, please contact the Registrar's Office directly.  

PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the Commencement Ceremony to take portraits of graduates as they walk across the stage. After crossing the stage, graduates will proceed to the graduate portrait station to have a quick portrait taken in cap & gown. Portraits will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremonies. Questions? Contact Pro Pics.

YEARBOOK

Visit the Yearbook website to purchase a 2024 Belle Air Yearbook. All yearbooks ordered will be shipped at the end of the academic year. Questions? Contact the Belle Aire Yearbook.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS, GIFTS, AND FLOWERS

Graduation announcements, thank you notes, and other commemorative items are available via the Villanova University Print Center. You can choose customizable printed announcements which include personalized pictures and text. Announcements can be shipped or picked-up. For ordering information and further details, please visit the iPRINT website. Questions? Contact the Print Center at 610-519-5914 or via email.

Villanova also partners with an off-campus vendor, The Commencement Group, that offers flower and gift options for graduates.  These can be picked up on campus during graduation weekend or direct shipped. Orders can be placed online.