Commencement Schedule
All ceremonies listed will be ticketed events and will be streamed virtually on JMU's website and social media outlets. We will not provide overflow seating areas in order to minimize the number of guests on campus.
Some college ceremony times have been slightly adjusted from the schedule posted earlier this year to accommodate event logistics in the new arena. *However, depending on the COVID conditions nearing May, the ceremony schedules and the number of guest tickets allowed per graduate may change.* We appreciate your patience and hope that you will remain flexible with your travel arrangements as we prioritize the safety for our grads, guests, faculty and staff.
Degrees will be conferred at each college ceremony and individual recognition of each graduate will occur as they walk across the stage.
All college ceremonies listed will be ticketed events; six tickets per graduate. Other ceremonies such as the Honors College Medallion Ceremony, Nursing Convocation and ROTC commissioning ceremonies will have individual attendance guidelines that will be provided at a later date.
Thursday, May 12th
Graduate Nursing Convocation | Memorial Hall Auditorium, 10:30 AM
The Honors College Medallion Ceremony | Festival Ballroom, 1:00 PM
The Graduate School | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 4:00 PM
The College of Visual and Performing Arts | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 7:30 PM
Friday, May 13th
College of Business | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 10:00 AM
Note: The College of Business does include Hart School of Hospitality, Sport, and Recreation Management.
College of Integrated Science and Engineering | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 2:00 PM
Undergraduate Nursing Convocation | Memorial Hall Auditorium, 2:30 PM
College of Arts and Letters | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 5:00 PM
Saturday, May 14th
Air Force ROTC Commissioning | Grafton-Stovall Theatre, 8:00 AM
Army ROTC Commissioning | Memorial Hall Auditorium, 10:00 AM
College of Education, University Studies, and Professional and Continuing Education | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 10:00 AM
College of Science and Mathematics | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 1:30 PM
College of Health and Behavioral Studies | Atlantic Union Bank Center, 5:00 PM
Ticketing
Tickets are available now through May 2nd at noon!
Graduates may submit their request of a max of six (6) tickets.
An email will be sent on April 18th from JMU Grad reminding you that ticketing ends on May 2nd at noon.
Ticketing Process
- Only the graduate can order tickets, maximum of six (6) from their student athletics account on JMU Athletics or here.
- Tickets will be e-mobile tickets. All tickets must be downloaded to Apple Wallet or Google Play prior to arriving at the Atlantic Union Bank Center. ALL six tickets may be on one device, however all guests would need to enter the arena at the same time.
- Graduates, you will have a ticket for yourself that you will need on your device to enter the arena. When you register for guest tickets, you will automatically be sent a ticket for yourself. This is in addition to the six maximum you may request.
- A barcode will not be displayed, rather the ticket will say "Hold Near Reader" for contactless entry.
- Children (5 years and younger) do not need a ticket if they are sitting on another guest's lap. However, if a child will need their own seat they will need to acquire a ticket.
- All guest tickets are general seating.
Doors open one-hour prior to ever college ceremony!
- For questions about commencement, contact jmugrad@jmu.edu.
- For questions about ticketing, contact athletic-ticket@jmu.edu
Accessibility
Interpreters and Captioning
Closed captioning will be available during all ceremonies. Please see an usher who will direct you to the best seating in relation to the captioning monitor.
Upon request, JMU will provide sign language interpreters at the ceremonies. Please contact University Events by phone at (540) 568-7787 or email jmugrad@jmu.edu by Thursday, April 21st if you require sign language interpretive services.
The college ceremonies will be live-streamed on the JMU website and displayed across social media platforms for online viewers. The live-stream will include captioning.
Accessible Seating
Atlantic Union Bank Center provides accessible seating for those with limited mobility. Seating in the top of sections 102 and 104 will be reserved for guests who are unable to navigate stairs. To provide adequate seating during the ceremony, we ask that only one guest accompany each guest with limited mobility. The rest of your party may sit in the general admission section.
Wheelchair seating will be available in the lower concourse, above sections 103, 105, 107 and 109. To provide adequate seating during the ceremony, we ask that only one guest accompany each guest with limited mobility.
Accessible Parking
Ballard Parking Deck, adjacent to the Atlantic Union Bank Center provides accessible parking throughout the deck on all levels. The deck provides elevator service on each level and limited walking to the arena. Please arrive one-hour prior to the ceremony start time to secure parking in this location.
"Here's To You, Class of 2022!"
At JMU, we pride ourselves on “Being the Change” and we are excited to announce a series of events celebrating YOU! Some of the events have occurred previously, some are new and all have been proposed and organized with input from the senior class. The Class of 2022 will be the first class to experience this new collection of congratulatory events leading up to commencement.
Senior Gala - Thursday, April 14th | Hall of Presidents (third floor, D-Hall) | 6:00-9:00 p.m. Registration for this event has closed.
Senior Candle Lighting and Toast - Friday, April 22nd | Festival Lawn | 4:00-6:30 p.m. (Program will begin at 5:30) RSVP here! [Rain location: Festival Lower Drum (lower level of Festival].
Senior Day Downtown - Thursday, April 28th | Registration: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt - Friday, May 6th through Sunday, May 8th | Register here!
Grad Bash - Saturday, May 7th | Bridgeforth Stadium | 5:30-8:00 p.m. | RSVP by April 23rd! (Rain date: Wednesday, May 11th 5:30-8:00 p.m.)
Senior Picnic - Monday, May 9th | Festival Lawn | 6:00-8:00 p.m. | RSVP by April 25th! (Rain location: Festival Lower Drum (lower level of Festival)
Grad Bash!
Saturday, May 7th | Bridgeforth Stadium | 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Come celebrate with your friends and fellow grads in Bridgeforth Stadium! Grad Bash includes a streamer toss, Class of 2022 photo on the field, games, celebratory remarks, food trucks, photo opportunities and more!
RSVP by April 23rd!
If you would like to see your photo on the videoboard, please submit it by clicking here. Note: photos should be high-resolution and appropriate for this event. Deadline to submit photos is May 1st.
- Graduates should plan to arrive between 5:30-6:00 p.m. Program will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.
- Graduates are encouraged to wear their JMU regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel).
- Tickets are required for this event. Bag checks and metal detection will be implemented. We encourage to leave unnecessary bags at home or in your car, if possible, to speed up the process of entering the stadium. You will be asked to by event/security personnel to unzip your gown as they scan for prohibited items.
- This event is for 2022 graduates only, no guest tickets will be issued.
- Parking for this event: Champions Deck, P lot, F lot or C5 lot.
- Graduates will enter Gates B or C.
Rain date: Wednesday, May 11th 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Regalia Information
Regalia is now available to order online or purchase at the JMU Bookstore. Online ordering ends on Thursday, May 12th.
You should not wait until the last minute to purchase regalia as your height and size of gown may not be available. When you are ordering online, you will need to provide your height, weight and degree. Your tassel and hood color will signify your degree.
You can find the hood and tassel colors assigned on the commencement website.
- Order Bachelor Regalia set here.
- Order Masters Regalia set here.
- Order Honor Cords here.
- Order Stole of Gratitude here.
How to Wear Your JMU Regalia!
Rings and Announcements
Don't miss out on ordering your official class rings and graduation announcements before it's too late!
Rings and announcements can be ordered through Balfour, here.
Amenities in Atlantic Union Bank Center
The JMU Team Store will be open during the college ceremonies. It is located inside the arena, near the Alumni entrance. JMU memorabilia will be available to purchase including JMU t-shirts, Alumni gifts, and more!
Concessions will be available for purchase in the arena. Concession stands are located on the Champions-side of the arena, near sections 106 and 108.
Commencement Group will be available outside the venue for guests and graduates to purchase flowers, graduate t-shirts and more. Save time at the gates and order online by clicking here.
Please visit the commencement website to view additional information related to the ceremonies! Download our JMU GRAD APP - the official app for JMU commencement!
