Events

Wilder School to host in-person Commencement

Congratulations to our graduates!

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is pleased to host an in-person ceremony honoring our August and December 2021 graduates. 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates are welcomed to attend and will be honored as well. Questions involving 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates can be directed to wilderschool@vcu.edu.

All graduates who wish to participate in the in-person ceremony are required to complete the registration form below.

Wilder School Ceremony - Saturday, December 11th from 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST, Greater Richmond Convention Center

The Wilder School ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 11th from 1:00 - 2:30 pm in Exhibit Hall C on the first floor of the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Masks will be required of all graduates, faculty, staff and guests. NOTE: Safety requirements are subject to change.

Graduate Arrival Time, Line Up and Recognition: Check-in will begin at 11:45 am. Please arrive early to check-in and start lining up. Procession will begin at 1:00 pm. Graduates will process to the stage and be seated as directed by the Commencement Marshals (i.e. Faculty members). The Commencement Marshal who leads your line will collect the reader card you received during Check-in and hand it to the announcer. Your name will be called as you walk across the stage to receive a scroll symbolizing a diploma. Doctoral students will be hooded by their advisors. Please note actual diplomas will be mailed to the address specified on your university graduation application. Visit the VCU commencement website for more information on diplomas and other commencement items.

Guest Tickets & Seating: Doors open at 12:00 pm, Noon. This is not a ticketed event and seating will be limited. We strongly recommend you bring no more than 6 guests. Seating for guests is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is no reserved seating. There is space in the Exhibit Hall to accommodate guests in wheelchairs. Additionally, there are ramps and elevators that can assist guests coming into the hall from the parking deck. If additional accommodations are required, please email wilderschool@vcu.edu.

Parking: A public parking deck is located on the corner of 3rd and Marshall Streets. It is connected to the building via an enclosed skywalk. The following address can be used on your GPS: 351 N 3rd Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Limited street parking is also available. To get to Exhibit Hall C, please use doors at the corner of 5th & Marshall Streets (Exhibit Hall Pavilion; not Ballroom Pavilion) and walk down the 1st floor hallway that runs parallel to 5th St. Staff members and signage will be located throughout the building for assistance.

Regalia: Regalia will be available for purchase at the Barnes & Noble @ VCU on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. If you are unable to go to Barnes & Noble, you may order your regalia online at balfour.com/vcu. Visit the VCU commencement website for more information on regalia and other commencement items.

Photography: A professional photographer will be present. Proof of photos and information about purchasing will be sent to the email address provided on the RSVP form.

REGISTRATION FORMS

August and December 2021 graduates who wish to participate in the in-person ceremony are required to complete this registration form. Please RSVP by 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 2nd.

Classes of 2020 and May 2021 graduates who wish to participate in the in-person ceremony are required to complete this registration form. Please RSVP by 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 2nd.

VCU University-wide ceremony - Saturday, December 11th at 10:00 - Noon EST, Stuart C. Siegel Center

On Saturday, Dec. 11, VCU will honor the achievements of graduates in person at the VCU Siegel Center as part of the university's existing December Commencement exercises, with a formal Commencement celebration at 10 a.m. Graduates have been contacted by the University Events and Special Programs Office to register for this university-wide ceremony. Graduation portraits will be offered to all graduates at the Siegel Center on Friday, Dec. 10 and prior to Commencement on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 11. To learn more about this university-wide ceremony, visit commencement.vcu.edu.

We thank you, in advance, for your participation and look forward to celebrating you and your achievements!