Commencement

Graduation regalia (cap and gown) is mandatory for attending commencement. Be sure to purchase your regalia, invitations, and class rings by April 26 through Barnes & Noble (Herff Jones) using the link below.

Purchase Regalia

Caps, stoles, and honor cords

• You may decorate your caps, but please refrain from including anything commercial (e.g., advertisements), political or offensive out of respect for your fellow graduates and their guests.
• You can choose to wear a stole, though they aren’t required. These can represent various things, including academic honors, fields of study (e.g., nursing), cultural heritage, or first-generation status.
• We do not include Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) in our announcements during commencement.  However, students who wish to purchase an honor cord for the ceremony should visit the Campus Bookstore in person.

The college reserves the right to ask students or guests to remove or alter decorations deemed inappropriate or in violation of the policies of the college or arena.

Due to overwhelming demand, the ceremony has reached full capacity.

At this time, the College is unable to offer any additional guest tickets.

Graduates must access their tickets through the Tassel portal. Please note: Commencement tickets are free and available only through the Tassel portal—no service fees apply. This is the only authorized source for ceremony tickets. Selling tickets or charging service fees is strictly prohibited. If you need extra tickets, consider asking classmates if they have any spares.

No longer attending? If your plans have changed and you will no longer attend the ceremony—or if you have any unused guest tickets—please email us at commencement@nvcc.edu.

Terms and Conditions

Admission

• Each guest must present a valid ticket to enter the arena. Admission will be denied without a ticket.

Entry and Seating

• Doors open to the public at 10:00 a.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible Seating

• Accessible seating is available on the concourse level. Please contact an usher upon arrival for assistance.

Security

• All guests and their belongings will undergo a security check prior to entry, which includes walking through a metal detector.

Re-entry

• Please note that there is no re-entry allowed once you exit the arena.

Ticket Usage

• Each ticket features a unique barcode for a single-use entry. Do not copy, screenshot, or share your ticket to avoid any entry issues. Duplicate tickets will be rejected at the entrance.

Child Admission

• Children under 2 years of age are permitted without a ticket but must be seated on the lap of a parent or guardian.

Image Release

• NOVA is photographing and/or videorecording and/or livestreaming the event in which you are participating and or attending.
• By your presence in this area, you acknowledge that you have been informed that you may be photographed and/or recorded and/or livestreamed as part of the program/event.
• Further, by your presence here, you grant your irrevocable permission for your likeness, mannerisms and voice to be included in the video program or other programs without compensation and/or credit, and for such programs to be exploited in any and all media worldwide in all perpetuity.
• If you do not wish to be photographed, recorded or appear in the said program, please leave this immediate area or be aware of the cameras and avoid them.

Arrival: Graduates should arrive at the arena at 9:30 a.m. Please follow the postage signage for parking and where to assemble.

Doors to the EagleBank Arena will open to the public at 10:00 a.m.

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, followed by an official welcome and an address delivered by a guest speaker. Graduates will then walk across the stage for their official photo. Dr. Kress will deliver the closing remarks, and the ceremony will conclude with a recessional.

Stay to Celebrate Everyone: We encourage all graduates to stay until the end of the ceremony. Your presence supports your fellow graduates and adds to the joy of the day. Let's celebrate together right through to the final moment!

Duration: 2.5–3 hours

For Guests

• Accessible Seating: EagleBank Arena is equipped with accessible seating areas designed for guests with mobility impairments. These areas provide space for wheelchairs and offer comfortable viewing angles. Please request access to this seating by speaking with an usher on the day of the ceremony.
• Communication Accessibility: Real-time closed captioning will be displayed on the arena's screens. A qualified sign language interpreter will also be present to assist during the ceremony.
• Additional Accommodations: For any other accommodations or assistance during the event, please approach the EagleBank Arena staff on-site. Our team is prepared to help ensure your experience is as comfortable and accessible as possible.

For Graduates

• Pre-Event Accommodation Requests: Graduates requiring specific accommodations, such as particular seating arrangements or other services, should submit their requests through the Tassel platform well in advance of the event.

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 certain items are not allowed inside.

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, or noisemaking devices
• Non-service animals
• Signs
  • Signs larger than 18 in by 18 in, including banners, flags, and posters, are prohibited.
  • All signs smaller than 18 in by 18 in must comply with the following guidelines:
    
    • Items may not be constructed or displayed in a manner that may obstruct the view of other guests, interrupt the experience of other guests, or create a safety hazard
    • Signs must be constructed of paper, fabric, or poster board materials
    • Items may not be commercial or political in nature nor include obscene/offensive language and/or pictures
    • Items must be related to the event
    • Items may not be attached to a stick/pole
    • Items may not be attached, hung, taped, or draped over any part of the building
    • No signs are allowed on stage

The College reserves the right to ask students or guests to remove or alter any decorations that are deemed inappropriate or that violate College or arena policies.

For complete details, please visit the EagleBank Arena website.

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

EagleBank Arena: Directions & Parking

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.

All students and guests are required to follow College and venue policies including event code of conduct, policies on disruptions and prohibited items, as well as NOVA's student code of conduct and commitment to safety and freedom of speech. Students and guests who do not observe NOVA's and EagleBank Arena’s policies and rules will not be admitted or will be required to leave the venue. Students and employees in violation of College policies and rules are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with student and employee codes of conduct.

EagleBank Arena Policies

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