Saturday, May 18, 2024 | Wheeler Mall | 9:30 a.m.

Intro

Graduation Requirements

If you have questions or concerns about your Graduation Requirements contact the Registrar's Office in Brock Hall, (434)395-2580.


Inclement Weather

The Longwood University commencement rain plan will only be put in place in the event of extreme conditions, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, or other severe weather events.  The ceremony will be held outside on Wheeler Mall if at all possible. If the rain plan is put in place, the announcement will be made on Friday if possible, and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of commencement.   Please check this website or call 434.395.2000 for the latest update on commencement and if the rain plan has been activated.


Name Pronunciation - Undergraduate

All students who have indicated that they plan to participate in the May commencement ceremony will receive an email from NameCoach prior to the commencement ceremony.

If you feel that your name is unique to pronounce, please follow the instructions in the email to have a recording of your name shared with the Commencement Planning staff. 

If you have questions please contact registrar@longwood.edu.


Accessibility Needs for Graduates and Guests

If you have questions concerning access or need disability-related accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Resources Office at (434)395-2391 or email us at accessibilityresources@longwood.edu.

Accessible parking and seating will be available at a first-come, first serve basis. There is no need to make a reservation.


Attire

Attire

All degree candidates must wear appropriate attire for the Commencement ceremony, which includes an academic cap and gown, hood and dark shoes.  Members of the Alumni Office will be there to assist you with your Gown, Hood and Mortarboard.

The Student Government Association has a limited number of graduation caps, gowns and hoods available for students to borrow through their Loaner Gown Program. Inventory for these are on a first come, first served basis. Inquiries may contact: Martha Butler, 434-395-2265 or butlermh@longwood.edu 

 

Gown

Your gown is worn with the zipper in front.

Hood

The hood is worn with the velvet stripe showing in the front, draping over the shoulders to your back, and rolling over to expose the colors.

Safety pins will help secure your hood to your gown. 

Don't wear bright colors on top that will detract from your hood.

The color of velvet hood stripe by degree:

  • Bachelor of Arts - White 
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts - Brown 
  • Bachelor of Music - Pink 
  • Bachelor of Science - Goldenrod 
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Drab 
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Apricot

Mortarboard An undergraduate places his had on Joney on the Stoney as he leaves the Commencement stage.

The mortarboard should be worn so that the point marked "Front of Cap" is down on your forehead. This allows the mortarboard to sit flat on the top of your head

Bobby pins will help secure the mortarboard to your head.

Tassel

The tassel is worn on the right before you graduate and turned to the left during the ceremony.

Teaching License Statement

If you are pursuing a teaching license, you do not necessarily line up in the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the majority line up with the College of Arts and Sciences, based on their major. Physical Education majors do line up with the College of Education and Human Services.


Diploma

Graduating students will receive their diplomas by mail within 4-6 weeks after graduating.

Diploma size for undergraduate and graduate diplomas is 11” (width) x 14” (height)

The frames that fit the 11x14” frames are:

  • FRAMING SUCCESS WINDSOR DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS
  • FRAMING SUCCESS CLASSIC DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS
  • FRAMING SUCCESS PRESTIGE DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS

Diploma frames may be ordered from the Longwood Bookstore website.


Announcements, Invitations and Class Rings

Order online from the Balfour Website


Professional Photography and DVD

During Commencement, professional photographers from Grad Images will take pictures of each graduate during the ceremony. They will have proofs available on their website by July 1st at www.GradImages.com

Graduates and their families are invited to pre-register their contact information to receive notifications at the following link: http://gradimages.com/Preregistration.  

Order Your Commencement DVD         

A copy of the Commencement ceremony will be available for you to order on a DVD, Blu-ray, or Download through Memories Videography. 

Order your Graduation DVD


Conduct

A close up of two graduates wearing caps and smiling for the camera.

Graduation is a formal academic ceremony and a special day for the graduates and their guests. Please respect this occasion and all who worked so hard to get here by remaining seated and quiet during the ceremony. 

Also, we ask that you please show respect for your fellow students and plan to stay for the entire ceremony.

Prohibited Items:

  • Alcohol 
  • Air horns
  • Beach balls
  • Bubbles
  • Other Distractions

Cell Phones and Mobile Devices

All cell phones and mobile devices should be turned to silent. 


Guest Seating

Tickets are not required for the graduate ceremony. Guest seating is first-come, first-served, with no limit on the number of guests students may invite to the ceremony.


Shuttle Service

Shuttle service will run loops between two off-campus locations from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

  • Sunchase shopping center - 215 Sunchase Boulevard, Farmville, VA 23901
  • Lancer Park - 200 Cormier Drive, Farmville, VA

Guests are welcome and encouraged to park in these lots for easy and close drop-off access to the ceremony location. The shuttle will run loops through the Sunchase Apartment complex.

Attendees with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specific needs should park in a central campus-accessible identified lot as shuttle vehicles are not equipped with lifts.

Guests staying at local hotels are encouraged to drive to one of the available shuttle locations; individual hotel pick-up is not planned.


On-Campus Commencement Parking

Multiple central campus lots will offer both general parking and ample ADA-accessible specific parking. All parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and no reservations are required.

The undergraduate ceremony will take place on Wheeler Mall, and the location is marked with a yellow star on the map.

Golf carts will be available from the ADA lots for those with accessibility needs in getting to and from the ceremony area.

2024 Commencement Parking Map (pdf)

Entering Farmville: Route 460 East and West
Guests are requested to use Route 460 for entry into Farmville.

Message boards will be placed on the East Bound and West Bound sides of Rt. 460; all traffic will be directed north on Main Street.


Overnight Accommodations

Visit Farmville 


Longwood Memorabilia

The Longwood Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.


Service Animals

Only registered service animals are permitted.


Smoking Areas

Smoking is allowed in designated locations only.


Questions

Please contact us commencement@longwood.edu