William & Mary Commencement

Commencement is a weekend-long series of events celebrating students who are graduating.  Students graduate when they have completed all of their degree requirements and are officially cleared to receive their diplomas.  Most students take part in Commencement, but participation is not required in order to graduate.

Commencement Weekend Guide

The Commencement Guide will assist you in learning about and planning for Commencement Weekend.  The 2012 Commencement Guide will be available beginning in late February.  The guide contains schedules, maps, disability accommodation request form, picnic order form and general information about the weekend.  Download the entire guide, or smaller sections of the guide as needed (PDF). 

Commencement Weekend Highlights

• Senior Class Dance (Friday, May 11) -- tickets required.  Information will be distributed by the Senior Class Officers.

• Service of Celebration for the Graduates (Saturday, May 12) -- a multi-faith worship service for all graduates and their guests.
• Family Picnic (Saturday, May 12) -- Advanced ticket purchase required (ticket order forms available starting in late February).
• Alumni Induction Ceremony (Saturday, May 12)-- Students receive their alumni pins and are formally welcomed into the greater W&M family.  President Reveley will offer remarks.  Reception to follow.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.

• Senior Class Candlelight Ceremony (Saturday, May 12) -- a time for celebration and reflection, complete with candles.  Brief comments will be offered by the Senior Class President and by a selected student, professor, and administrator.  The W&M Choir will lead graduates in singing the Alma Mater.  Reception to follow in the Wren Courtyard (weather permitting). Families and guests welcome.

• Walk Across Campus (Sunday, May 13) -- Graduates take a farewell walk through the Wren Building and across campus to W&M Hall, where they will assemble for the main Commencement ceremony.

• Main Commencement Ceremony (Sunday, May 13.  See timeline below) -- the moment you've been waiting for!  Includes remarks by the Commencement speaker, President of the College, and the student Commencement speaker, as well as the official conferral of all degrees.  Tickets required.
  • 11:20 a.m. - All guests should be seated in anticipation of the Academic Procession.
  • 11:30 a.m. - The Academic Procession begins. All Degree Candidates, Faculty, and the Official Party enter William & Mary Hall Arena dressed in full regalia.
  • 12:00 p.m. - Commencement Exercises begin.

• Departmental Diploma Presentations & Receptions (Sunday, May 13  @ 2:30 p.m.) -- This is where graduates are recognized by name and receive their diplomas. Note: Some departments & programs hold their ceremonies at other times.  The full schedule of events will give you complete information about event times and locations.

Questions?

• Event Information:
  [[studentaffairs, Student Affairs]], Office of Student Affairs, 757-221-1236

• Diploma Questions:
  [[wdurba, Wendy Urbano]], Office of the Registrar, 757-221-2807

• Academic Regalia and Graduation Merchandise Questions:
  [[wmcloth, College Bookstore by Barnes & Noble]], 757-253-4900, x 239