Commencement

image of students at commencement

Spring 2025 Commencement

Date & Times

Monday, May 12, 2025

Ceremony: Coming Soon
Graduate Arrival: Coming Soon
Doors Open to the Public: Coming Soon

Livestream

If you can't attend the Commencement ceremony, don't worry! You can still be part of the excitement by tuning in to the livestream.

Guest Speaker

Coming Soon

Graduates

Student at Commencement

Congratulations to our Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 graduates! We invite you, along with your family and friends, to attend our 2024 Commencement Ceremony on the campus of George Mason University. Below, you'll find important information about the Commencement Ceremony.

Action Items Due Date
RSVP in Marching Orders: Coming Soon
Order Online Regalia: Coming Soon
Purchase In-Store Regalia Coming Soon
Request Accommodations: Coming Soon

RSVP Available March 8 through Marching Orders

Please follow the login instructions emailed to you by your ceremony coordinator to access your school-specific Marching Order login portal.

If you need additional support, please contact commencement@nvcc.edu.

Graduation regalia (cap and gown) is mandatory for attending commencement. Purchase them along with invitations and class rings before April 12 from Barnes and Noble (Herff Jones) using the link below.

Purchase Regalia

  • Each graduate can bring up to 4 guests to the commencement ceremony.
  • Access to tickets can be found within the Marching Orders portal.
  • Tickets are required for all guests two years or older to enter the EagleBank Arena for Commencement.
  • Children under 2 (lap-seating) accompanying a ticket-holding adult do not require a ticket.

Arrival: Graduates should arrive at the arena at 11:30 am. Please follow the postage signage for parking and where to assemble.

Doors the the EagleBank Arena will open to the public at 12:00 pm.

What to Bring: We kindly ask all graduates to attend in their complete regalia and refrain from bringing personal items (purses, keys, jackets, sunglasses). We suggest graduates leave their items with guests.

If you require a bag for your personal items, please note that the EagleBank Arena has a clear bag policy. The bag must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC with no obscured inside pockets and should not exceed the dimensions of 12”x12”x6”.

Overview of Commencement: The commencement proceedings will begin with a processional, official welcome and an address delivered by a guest speaker. Subsequently, graduates will walk across the stage, and there will be an opportunity for an official photo. Dr. Kress will deliver the closing remarks, and the ceremony will conclude with a recessional.

Duration: 3.5 hours

ASL interpretation and live captioning services will be available at Commencement. If you need additional accommodations, please specify your needs by sending an email to accommodations@nvcc.edu.

For the safety of our patrons, everyone must pass through a security checkpoint before entering the arena. You may be subject to a physical search prior to entry, as there are a variety of items which are not allowed inside the arena.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • Weapons (guns, knives, pepper spray, etc.)
  • Outside food or beverages
  • Bottles, cans, containers and coolers
  • Balloons, silly string, noisemaking devices
  • Non-service animals

The NOVA Educational Foundation will award up to five $1,000 student success scholarships at each exercise. You must be present to receive the award. For students transferring, the scholarship will go directly to that college or university. If you’re selected as a non-transfer student, The Foundation will instead contribute to an approved job-related expense.

Family & Guests

Family celebrating Commencement

Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate what's possible with hard work, determination and the support of family, friends and classmates.

Please follow the posted signage for NOVA commencement parking. Parking is free for the ceremony.

Photo Specialties will be taking photographs of each graduate during the commencement ceremonies. Communication regarding proofs and how to purchase prints will come directly from Photo Specialties and be sent to students via the email they registered for commencement with. For any follow-up questions or concerns, please contact Photo Specialties through the form below.

Contact Photo Specialties

Flowers will be available to purchase on the concourse level of the arena.