Shenandoah University will celebrate its 2025 University Commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center.
This year’s ceremony will celebrate over 1,500 total graduates from the 2024-25 academic year, including 239 August 2024 graduates, 363 December 2024 grads, and 906 candidates for May degree conferrals.
Doors open at 8 a.m., and guests should allow ample time to pass through security checks before entering the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center. All individuals will be subject to bag checks and must pass through a metal detector before entering the building.
Please note that Shenandoah University has a clear bag policy for this event; only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12x6x12 inches (or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag) will be allowed into the commencement ceremony site. A list of prohibited and allowable items is available at su.edu/commencement.
Tickets are required for general admission seating for the commencement ceremony, and all available tickets have been distributed to graduating students. Commencement will be streamed live on the Shenandoah University YouTube channel, and the video will remain available for viewing after the ceremony on that channel.
Parking and Traffic Information
All guests and graduates should plan to enter campus at University Drive off of Millwood Avenue. Please carefully review the parking options. Note that general (non-accessible) guest parking will be available only on the main campus. From there, guests may walk to the ceremony site at the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center (20 minutes) but are strongly encouraged to take one of the seven shuttles operating for the event. With nearly 5,000 people attending commencement, traffic and parking will be slower than usual. Plan on arriving early to allow time for parking and walking or riding the shuttle. Shuttle trips will begin at 7:45 a.m. Note that through traffic will be prohibited on Tulane Drive and Ralph Shockey Drive.
Accessible parking will be available at the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center for vehicles with DMV-issued accessible license plates or placards. Guests using the accessible parking lot should enter at Tulane Drive and Route 50 (across from Delco Plaza). Local law enforcement, Shenandoah University’s Department of Campus Safety, and SU staff will assist in directing traffic. Please note that parking for those without these license plates/placards is prohibited in these areas and will result in the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense.
Event parking is strictly prohibited in the residential areas adjacent to the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center.
Additional guest information, including lodging, seating and security measures, is available online at su.edu/commencement/guestinfo.
2025 Commencement Events
- Thursday, May 22, 4:30-5 p.m. | Graduate Walkthrough; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
- Thursday, May 22, 5 p.m. | Grad Bash; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center lawn
- Friday, May 23, 9 a.m. | Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
- Friday, May 23, 11 a.m. | Baccalaureate Service (hosted by the Office of Spiritual Life); Armstrong Concert Hall (free and open to the public)
- Friday, May 23, 1 p.m. | Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing Pinning and Hooding Ceremony; Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre (invitation only)
- Friday, May 23, 2 p.m. | School of Business Awards and MBA Hooding Ceremony; Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium (invitation only)
- Friday, May 23, 4 p.m. | Health Professions (OT, OTD-PP, PH, DMS, MSOT-Weekend) Hooding and Recognition Ceremony; Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre (invitation only)
- Friday, May 23, 5:30 p.m. | College of Arts & Sciences Awards Ceremony; Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
- Friday, May 23, 7 p.m. | Division of Education and Leadership and Applied Behavioral Analysis Hooding Ceremony; Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium
- Friday, May 23, 7 p.m. | Shenandoah Conservatory Honors Recital, Awards and Graduate Hooding Ceremony; Armstrong Concert Hall
- Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. | Shenandoah University Commencement Ceremony; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
For more information, visit su.edu/commencement.
