Information for Families & Guests
We look forward to the arrival of families and guests in May to celebrate our graduates upon their Commencement! Read on for information to assist you with your planning.
Stay Up to DateFamilies may sign-up to receive email updates leading up to Commencement Weekend. We will use that information to also keep you updated on any changes or severe weather during Commencement weekend.
Need information or have questions?Commencement Schedule and General InformationOffice of Student Affairs Regalia and General Graduation MerchandiseW&M Spirit Shop & Bookstore |
TicketsClass of 2024 graduates will have an opportunity to request tickets during the Commencement registration period (February 23 - March 22). Graduating students received an email in February with the link to register and request tickets. Only graduating students may request tickets. Each graduate may initially request up to 6 guest tickets for the ceremony in Zable stadium. Graduates will also be able to indicate if they would like to request any additional tickets that may be available after registration has ended. We will confirm via email with all students who registered how many tickets they will receive. Outdoor-Only vs. All-Weather TicketsIn the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to Kaplan Arena. Due to limited seating capacity inside Kaplan, graduates will receive fewer guest tickets for the inside location. Only guests presenting all-weather tickets (valid in both Zable & Kaplan) will be permitted to enter Kaplan Arena. Guests with "outdoor only (Zable)" tickets will not be permitted to enter Kaplan Arena and are encouraged to view the ceremony via livestream. Tickets are Electronic & Distributed to GraduatesTickets are electronic and will be emailed to graduating students in mid-May. Graduates are responsible for sharing tickets with their guests. Guests may display tickets on their phone or print out their tickets to be scanned at the entry gate. If using a phone, please have the tickets open and ready for scanning when you reach the entry gate. Each ticket scans only once, so electronic tickets may not be duplicated. Children 2 and younger do not require a ticket. |
Parking
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Prohibited Items for Zable Stadium and Kaplan Arena
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EntrancesMain Commencement ceremony - Friday, May 17
Important Weather Plan InformationOnly guests presenting all-weather tickets (valid in both Zable & Kaplan) will be permitted to enter Kaplan Arena in the event of severe weather. Due to limited seating capacity in Kaplan Arena, guests presenting an "outdoor only (Zable)" ticket will not be allowed entry inside Kaplan Arena and are encouraged to view the ceremony via livestream. |
Seating
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Accessibility Accommodations
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Ceremony TimelineThe ceremony begins with the student processional entering the arena.
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Other Viewing OptionsLive-streaming of the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 will be available. |
Lodging (Special Rates)Some area hotels and B&B's offer discounts to W&M guests and visitors. |
Announcements & Graduation MerchandiseAnnouncements
Merchandise
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Flowers and Mementos for Your GradFlowers are available for pre-purchase online. All online orders will be available for pickup inside the stadium after the gates open for the main ceremony. To retrieve your order on Friday evening, please stop by the flower vendor booth next to the Tribe Spirit Store concession stand. The flower vendor booth will be located on the Richmond Road & Alumni House corner inside the stadium. Flowers will be available for pick up Friday from 5:30 pm through the end of the ceremony. To retrieve your orders on Saturday, please stop by the flower vendor booth located next to the TribeTrailer Stand at the Sadler Terrace. Flowers will be available for pick up from 8am - 7pm on Saturday. |
Questions?
Graduating students will automatically receive email announcements/instructions beginning in the fall and continuing to the days before Commencement. All emails are sent to the student's W&M account.
Commencement Schedule and General Information
Office of University Events
757-221-1338
[[commencement, Commencement Planning Team]]
Regalia and General Graduation Merchandise
W&M Spirit Shop & Bookstore
757-221-1669