ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Caps and gowns must be worn by all in-person ceremony participants. Please review the universityÌýAdornment PolicyÌýas it relates to regalia (cap and gown) during Commencement.

Bachelors and Masters:

Ship to ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Bookstore DeadlineÌý–ÌýMarch 27, 2026
Ship to Home DeadlineÌý–ÌýApril 10, 2026

Doctoral (J.D, M.D, Au.D, D.M.P, D.N.P, Ed.D.) and ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Ph.D.:

There are two options available if you would like to receive your Doctoral regalia.

1. You can order your rental regalia and have it shipped to ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ for on-campus pick-up.ÌýRental Ship to ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ DeadlineÌý–ÌýMarch 27, 2026
2. You can purchase your fine-quality ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ regalia to be shipped to your home address. Ship to Home Fine Quality DeadlineÌý– March 6, 2026

Graduates who do not order regalia by the deadlines will incur a late fee.

Graduates Day takes place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, at Memorial Gym.Ìý

Commencement Celebration will immediately follow Graduates Day at 12 p.m. at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center Indoor Practice Facility.

More information to come.

Yes. Please visit our accommodations and travel page for available options.Ìý

We encourage you to access the platform SpotMyPhotos for Commencement activities. Once you are registered, SpotMyPhotos can help you find Commencement photos taken by ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ photographers.

Official photos taken by Grad Images will be emailed directly to you in the days following Commencement.

All events will be accessible, and we encourage guests to bring their state-issued disabled parking placard if applicable. For more information, please visit the accessibility information page.

The is awarded by ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ to someone who defines the 21st century and exemplifies the best qualities of the human spirit. The award is presented at Graduates Day.

Graduates are encouraged to check their emails for updates regarding tickets.

Generally, undergraduate Commencement lasts about three hours.

All graduating ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ students participating in undergraduate Commencement activities are required to stay for the entire ceremony.

Only in the case of a personal medical emergency are students permitted to leave the ceremony early. The ceremony typically lasts three hours.

In the spring semester, all graduates will indicate their attendance for Commencement when they fill out the Graduation Confirmation Form in YES. There is no RSVP for guests.

Undergraduate commencement will follow .

Please note other prohibited items on our Security page.ÌýÌý

Undergraduate Commencement

If inclement weather is in the forecast, a call will be made by the afternoon of Thursday, May 7. Graduates will be notified via email once a call has been made.

The ceremony will be split into two ceremonies, both taking place in Memorial Gym.

• 9 a.m. – Blair, Engineering & Peabody
• 12:30 p.m. – A&S

Graduate and Professional Diploma Ceremonies

If inclement weather is in the forecast, please follow any guidance from your respective school.

All summer, fall and eligible graduates should receive Commencement communications to their ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ email. Please reach out to the Commencement team at commencement@vanderbilt.edu if you are not receiving emails.

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While the history of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´'s Commencement reflects the university's growth, the traditional icons are the seal, mace, Chancellor's Insignia and the Gonfalons.

The Office of the University Registrar mails diplomas to graduates. Students must meet all financial obligations before their diplomas can be released. Graduates who have not received their diplomas by the following dates are advised to call (615) 322-7701.

The undergraduate ceremony will be livestreamed and a recording will be made available on the Commencement home page. Graduate and professional school students should ask their schools about plans to livestream specific ceremonies.

Graduates have the opportunity to have regalia shipped to either their address on file or shipped to ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´.Ìý

If you have your regalia shipped to campus the pick up takes place May 5-7 at the ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Bookstore during standard business hours.

Faculty regalia pick-up takes place on April 30 and May 1 during ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Bookstore operating hours.

Faculty can come during student pick-up window, though pick-up wait times may be longer. Student regalia pick-up takes place May 5-7.Ìý

Graduates could select one free parking pass when they claimed their guest tickets for the undergraduate ceremony. The graduate will get the electronic parking pass with their guest tickets. Specific directions and a map indicating where the pass is valid will be emailed to the graduate the week before Commencement.

• There will be no shuttles from any campus parking locations to FirstBank Stadium on May 8.
• VandyVans will be available to take undergraduate students to the stadium only.
• For all other guests, ridesharing is strongly encouraged.

If staying in a neighboring hotel, please check with their concierge team about any hospitality shuttles they may offer.

For guests planning to drive to campus on Friday, May 8, for undergraduate Commencement, more parking is available as indicated below*:

• 2900 West End Ave.
• 3100 West End Ave. (American Center Garage)
• Hayes Street Garage
• 1902 Hayes St.
• 1920-1926 Hayes St.

*ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ provides this list only for the convenience of its community. VU has no business affiliation with any of these garages and endorses none of them. Please be aware of any contractual terms that may apply to your parking in these garages.

Please find the ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ adornment policy here: https:/vanderbilt.edu/commencement/adornment-policy/

Graduates will have their pictures taken as they walk across the stage by an official photographer. Details about receiving those pictures after the ceremony will be shared closer to Commencement.Ìý

Summer and fall 2025 graduates are invited to participate in the 2026 Commencement ceremony and will receive communications to their ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ email address.

All undergraduates will receive an empty diploma cover when they cross the stage. Graduates must complete all degree requirements to participate.

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Commencement is traditionally on or just before the second weekend in May, though specific dates may change based on the needs of the university community and the graduating class.Ìý