Important Dates & Commencement Schedule
Start with the Registrar’s Office
Each spring, eligible students will receive an email announcement from the Registrar’s Office, stating that the office is accepting Degree Applications for the graduating class of the following year. Each student must submit an online Degree Application through Banner Self-Service during the application period, in order to be listed as a pending degree candidate. You can find more information by visiting the Registrar’s Office website.
Grad Fair -Dress for the ceremony!
March 19-20, 2025
- Date/Time: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Location: UMW Bookstore, Lee Hall
Graduates will be assisted with the sizing and will purchase their regalia.
UMW regalia ensemble includes a cap, gown, tassel, and hood.
- Bachelor’s Degree Ensemble: $89.96 plus tax
- Master’s Degree Ensemble: $94.96 plus tax
The UMW Bookstore will maintain a limited inventory of regalia after the Grad Fair for in-person purchases. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 am – 2 p.m.
Ordering online more convenient?
Beginning March 24 through Friday, April 11, 2025, regalia is available for online purchase. A home shipping fee and sales tax will be added to each order. Order online (available after March 24).
Senior Toast -Toast to success!
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4 p.m.
- Location: Brompton Lawn
In addition to hors d’oeuvres, seniors will enjoy a champagne toast by President Paino celebrating their pending graduation and alumni status. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
Suggested attire is dressy casual. Examples include a dress, skirt, slacks, button-down shirt, polo, or khakis.
Registration is required for this event and begins April 1, 2025. Register to attend.
Grad Ball -Celebrate in style!
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Location: Anderson Center
All graduates are invited to celebrate in style! Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. All undergraduates and master’s candidates are invited to Grad Ball. Graduates are offered complimentary tickets, including one for a guest.
Tickets may be acquired Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on April 14th, in the Office of Student Activities and Engagement in the Cedric Rucker University Center. Those unable to pick-up tickets in advance may inform Class Council officers at the time of check-in, or email (SAE@umw.edu) with further questions.
Commencement Rehearsal -Practice makes perfect!
Friday, May 9, 2025 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
All degree candidates are encouraged to attend the rehearsal. Students will meet in Dodd Auditorium for instructions before assembling around Jefferson Square and processing to Ball Circle for announcements from the University Administration.
Seating arrangements for graduates
Degree candidates participating in the ceremony are provided reserved seating. A specific seating assignment will be distributed via text prior to the ceremony and confirmed at the rehearsal Friday.
Getting your name right
Mr. Jon Reynolds from the UMW Theater Department will announce your name as you cross the stage at commencement. To ensure the correct pronunciation, graduates will be invited to voice-record your name and indicate the phonetic spelling through NameCoach. Students may also request a preferred name, different from the printed diploma name, for the ceremony. NameCoach will be activated in March. Graduates will receive an email link to participate from their UMW email account.
Please contact (agauch@umw.edu) if you have any questions about your name announcement during the ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony -It’s your day!
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Please arrive no later than 8 a.m. in your regalia to find your place in the student line-up. Candidates for Commencement will line up around Jefferson Square located adjacent to Double Drive and the main gates to the Fredericksburg Campus.
All guests are asked to clear Campus Walk at 9 a.m. for the processional. For guests unable to attend in person, a link to view the ceremony live will be on the home page of the university.
The procession will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Candidates for Commencement will process from Jefferson Square through the Bell Tower and down campus walk to Ball Circle.