Commencement

Yes, all ceremonies will be live-streamed for family and friends. The live streams can be accessed on the University’s website, the Commencement homepage, and Youtube.

• Yes, accessible seating and parking are available for guests with disabilities. Guests should enter through the main campus entrance off Lakeside Drive, where security will direct them to designated accessible parking areas. Guests can also drop off family members with mobility issues at designated handicap-accessible points and park elsewhere.
• Two golf carts will be on standby to help guests get to the venue, especially in parking spaces further away from Shellenberger Field or Turner Gymnasium.
• The Shellenberger Field is accessible through the drop-off point behind, and the Turner Gym is accessible through the parking lot level. University personnel will be on standby to guide you from the parking areas to your designated venues.
• Shellenberger Field and Turner Gymnasium offer accessible seating. Additionally, Turner Gymnasium offers an indoor, air-conditioned space with a large viewing screen for guests of graduates whose ceremonies are at Shellenberger Field who wish to watch the ceremony in a more comfortable venue.
• Consult the parking maps provided at ​lynchburg.edu.

Security measures will be in effect to ensure all attendees’ safety. Firearms, weapons, and large bags are not allowed on University property. Guests are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to University security. ​lynchburg.edu

For a clearer understanding of the university’s safety and security policies, please consult lynchburg.edu

No, guest tickets are not required for Commencement ceremonies held on Shellenberger Field. However, tickets will be needed if inclement weather necessitates moving the ceremony indoors. Details regarding ticket distribution in such cases will be provided closer to the event.

Yes, service animals, as defined by the ADA, are welcome at Commencement. These are dogs that have been individually trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Animals other than service dogs will not be allowed to enter Shellenberger Field or any University buildings, including residential facilities. For more information, please refer to the ADR policy regarding animals on campus.

Appropriate regalia (gown, cap, or degree hood) is required for Commencement ceremonies.

No, diplomas are not distributed during the Commencement ceremony. All diplomas will be sent via certified mail within four to six weeks following Commencement.

Undergraduate students should apply for graduation through their MyHive account during the spring of their junior year. Graduate students must complete the Application to Graduate form on MyHive if they plan to graduate in the upcoming academic year.

Announcements and class rings can be purchased from Balfour. For announcements, click on “Shop Now” under “Announcements.” For class rings, click on “Shop Now” under “Class Rings.”

Regalia can be ordered through The Hornet Shop’s website. Deadlines for ordering are:

• March 1: The deadline for ordering fine-quality (custom-made) regalia for medical master’s and doctoral candidates.
• April 1: The deadline for ordering Souvenir regalia (standard quality) for all bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral candidates.

The ceremony is expected to last approximately one and a half hours.

Students with pending credits may be eligible to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies if they have up to 45 semester hours remaining at the start of the fall semester or 27 hours at the beginning of the spring semester. For more information, visit our webpage.

Yes, a mandatory Commencement rehearsal for seniors is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2 p.m. on Shellenberger Field. Immediately afterward, the Senior Class Photo will be taken.

Guests are asked to enter the main entrance on Lakeside Drive. Parking for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility is available near Shellenberger Field, with directions provided by security at the main entrance. Additional parking details and maps are available on the University’s website.

To participate in Commencement, students must:

• Apply for graduation through their MyHive account. 
• Ensure all degree requirements are met or will be met by the end of the spring semester.
• Order the appropriate regalia (cap, gown, and degree hood) by the specified deadlines. 

For more information, visit this webpage.

The Commencement Schedule of Events is available on our website.

Inclement weather may cause ceremonies scheduled on Shellenberger Field to be moved indoors, and tickets will be required. Details regarding ticket distribution and ceremony relocation will be provided closer to the event date. ​

Graduates are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes; narrow or spiked heels are not recommended on the athletic field. Sunscreen is also recommended, as the ceremony is held outdoors

All diplomas will be sent via certified mail within four to six weeks following Commencement. Students who have not received their diploma and fail to notify the University within a year of the diploma being mailed will have to reorder.

Diplomas are mailed to the address indicated on the degree completion application. If your address changes after you submit it, please email [email protected] with your updated address

Diploma frames are available for purchase at The Hornet Shop. ​

• The keynote speakers are as follows:
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremonies: Gloria Tinsley Witt.
  • Doctor of Medical Science and PA Medicine Ceremony: Brig. Gen. Bill A. Soliz ’22 DMSc
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy Ceremony: Theodore T. Hu ‘25 DPT

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and a first-aid station will be available at the Commencement ceremonies. For assistance, contact the Office of Campus Safety and Security at 434.544.5555.