COMMENCEMENT

Due to inclement weather, the Commencement Ceremony for the Charles Widger School of Law Class of 2024 will take place in the Finneran Pavilion.  A reception at the law school (John F. Scarpa Hall), will immediately follow the ceremony. Please see the Commencement map for location and parking information.

Parking for graduates and guests will be in the law school garage; no parking passes are needed. Shuttle buses will be running continuously throughout the day for guest who wish to take the shuttle, otherwise it is a short walk to the various locations on campus.

Guests with special needs who have a disability placard/plate may park closer on campus. These guests should use the Main Entrance off Ithan Avenue (please see the Commencement map) where public safety staff will direct you to the designated area for parking/drop-off.   

The Finneran Pavilion has accessible seating. Tickets are not required for guests. Guest seating opens at 9:00 a.m.

Student Assembly/Name Cards

• Beginning at 9:30 a.m., graduates’ name cards will be available with staff volunteers at tables near the fountain in front of Alumni Hall (#3 on map). Graduates must pick up their name card prior to line-up for the procession. 
• At 9:45 a.m., graduates should report to the Graduate Assembly area along the walkway between St. Rita’s and Alumni Hall (#4 on the map) wearing your cap and gown (tassels to the right). Law School staff will be on hand to assist you in lining up. 
• There is no place in the Assembly Area or the Campus Green to leave personal items. Please leave these items with your guests or in a secured location. 
• Please wear shoes suitable for potentially uneven terrain (grass and cobblestones). 
• There will be a program placed at each graduate’s seat, so you do not need to carry a program when you process.

Graduate Procession and Seating

• Graduates will line up at 9:50 a.m. in two side-by-side lines in any order you wish. Please follow the instructions of the staff on hand to help line up the graduates. (Note: the person you wish to sit next to should line up in front or behind you, the two lines will split once you hit the Rowen Campus Green–the right line will sit to the right side and the left line will sit on the left side.)
• The processional will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Dean Lund will lead the procession down the path into the Rowen Campus Green and continue to the graduate seating area. 
• Staff floor marshals will direct you to your seats. Please do not skip seats and follow the guidance of the staff marshals. 

Calling of the Names

• Graduates will be called forward one row at a time. As your row is called forward, follow the directions of the Marshal to approach the stage.
• PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR NAME CARD. The names of all graduates will be called, and graduates will walk across the stage when their name is called. 
• When you approach the stage, graduates will scan your name card and then continue across the stage as your name is called. Staff will be on hand to assist. 
• After you cross the stage, you will pick up your scroll and shake hands (if you wish) with Deans Alexander and Lund. (Note: Your actual diploma will be mailed home to you). You will then return to your seat as the rest of the graduates are called forward. 
• A professional photographer will take your photo when you exit the stage. 

Reception

• Immediately following the ceremony, all graduates, guests, faculty, and staff are invited to a light reception on the Riley Ellipse (#5 on map) next to the Rowen Campus Green (#2 on map). Please see the Commencement map for more information.  
• Note: Severe weather location for the reception is back at the Law School (Scarpa Hall). 

In case of inclement weather, the Charles Widger School of Law Commencement ceremony will be moved indoors to the Finneran Pavilion.

Tickets are not required and there is no limit to the number of guests per graduate.

The Finneran Pavilion is located at the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenues. Students and guests should park at the Law School parking garage. The Pavilion is well within walking distance, but continuous shuttle service will take graduates and guests from the law school garage to the Finneran Pavilion beginning at 8 am. Please plan to arrive early enough to take into account any additional wait time for shuttles. Those with mobility challenged may drop-off in the rear lot of the Pavilion, located off of Lancaster Avenue behind the football stadium. ADA parking is available behind the Pavilion.

Student Assembly/Line-up

• Beginning at 9:30 a.m., graduates’ name cards will be available in the Finneran Pavilion, on the lower level near the Fitzgerald Club.
• Graduates should report to the assembly area in the lower level of the Finneran Pavilion by 9:40 a.m. Graduates should arrive wearing robes and caps. Tassels are worn to the right.
• There is no place in the assembly area for personal belongings, so please leave valuables with your guests or in a secured location.
• Graduate line-up will begin at 9:50 a.m.
• Graduates will form two lines. Line up in any order you wish. (Note: the classmate you wish to sit next to should line-up in front or behind you the two lines will break once you arrive at the seating area.) JD graduates are in the front of the line, then LLM followed by MT graduates.

Graduate Procession and Seating

• The processional will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Dean Lund will lead the procession to the graduate seating area.
• Staff floor marshals will direct you to your seats. Please do not skip seats and follow the guidance of the staff marshals.

Calling of the Names

• Graduates will be called forward to receive your degree one row at a time. As your row is called forward, follow the directions of the marshals to approach the stage.
• PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR NAMECARD.
• A professional photographer will take each graduate’s photo at the stage area before graduates cross the stage.
• When you approach the stage, graduates will give your name to a staff who will scan your namecard. Graduates should continue across the stage as your name is read.
• As you cross the stage, graduates will receive your scroll from Deans Alexander and Lund. You will then return to your seat, following the guidance of the marshal in that area.

Recessional

• Graduates will recess behind Dean Lund, following the faculty and stage party back to your seats.

Reception

• The reception will be held at the Law School in the Arthur M. Goldberg '66 Commons.

The Baccalaureate Mass and Law Commencement Ceremony will be simulcast live graduation weekend. Please view the livestream information for the links.

Graduation announcements, thank you notes and other commemorative items are available via Villanova University through the Print Center. For ordering information and further details, please visit the iPRINT website.

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the Law 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.