Family and Friends

The Office of Parent and Family Relations and the Office of the President will be hosted a Commencement Webinar for families of graduating students on Tuesday, April 16. Topics included the commencement schedule, tickets, parking, special needs and accomodations, inclement weather plans, and more.

View the recorded webinar

The Class of 2024 Commencement celebration will take place the weekend of May 17 and 18.

Visit the schedule of events for more details as well as information for Bachelors Degree Candidates and Master & Doctoral Degree Candidates.

Action items for graduates, links, resources, and information can also be found in the Graduation Task Center in MyNova.

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, including overflow lots at the Radnor Financial Center.

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 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 on Friday, and 2.5 hours long on Saturday. 

View the Bachelors Degree 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.

There are plenty of hotels and restaurant options close to Villanova that cater to all price points and atmospheres. 

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more important information.

Action items for graduates, links, resources, and information can also be found in the Graduation Task Center in MyNova.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the Commecement 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.