Shenandoah University To Celebrate 2026 Commencement On May 9

Shenandoah University’s 2026 University Commencement, being held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center, celebrates over 1,400 total graduates from the 2025-26 academic year. 

This year’s ceremony honors 269 August 2025 graduates, 322 December 2025 grads, and 822 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.

2026 Commencement Events

• Thursday, May 7, 4:30 p.m. | Graduate Walkthrough; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
• Thursday, May 7, 5 p.m. | Grad Bash; Buzzy Plaza at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center 
• Friday, May 8, 9 a.m. | Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony; Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 10 a.m. | Health Professions (OTD, OTD-PP, PH, DMS, MSOT-Weekend, SLP) Hooding and Recognition Ceremony; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 11 a.m. | Baccalaureate Service (hosted by the Office of Spiritual Life); Armstrong Concert Hall (free and open to the public)
• Friday, May 8, 1 p.m. | Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing Pinning and Hooding Ceremony; Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 2 p.m. | School of Business Awards and MBA Hooding Ceremony; Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 5 p.m. | College of Arts & Sciences Awards Ceremony; Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 7 p.m. | Division of Education & Leadership and Applied Behavioral Analysis Hooding Ceremony; Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall (invitation only)
• Friday, May 8, 7 p.m. | Shenandoah Conservatory Honors Recital, Awards and Graduate Hooding Ceremony; Armstrong Concert Hall (invitation only)
• Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. | Shenandoah University Commencement Ceremony; James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center

For more information, visit su.edu/commencement.