Shenandoah University will celebrate its 2024 University Commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center.
The ceremony will recognize the 1,429 total graduates from the 2023-24 academic year, including 209 August 2023 graduates, 362 December 2023 graduates and 858 candidates for May 2024 degree conferrals.
Doors to the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center open at 8 a.m.; guests should plan to allow ample time to pass through security checks upon entering the building and find their seats before the ceremony’s 10 a.m. start. All guests will be subject to bag and handheld metal detector checks.
Tickets are required for general admission seating for the commencement ceremony. Commencement will be streamed live on the Shenandoah University YouTube channel, and the video will remain available for viewing after the ceremony on that channel.
This year, to fulfill a promise that Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., made to the Class of 2024 four years ago at New Student Convocation, SU is making the commencement season a little extra special for those students who may have missed their 2020 high school graduation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distinct moments set aside for those students include an exclusive breakfast with Dr. Fitzsimmons on Friday, May 17, acknowledgement during individual school ceremonies, and a moment of recognition during University Commencement. The Class of 2020 high school grads are invited to wear their 2020 graduation tassels alongside their 2024 tassels.
Read more about the ways that Shenandoah is celebrating its 2024 graduates at su.edu.
Parking and Traffic Information
All guests and graduates should plan to enter campus at University Drive off of Millwood Avenue. Please carefully review the parking options. Note that general (non-accessible) guest parking will be available only on the main campus. From there, guests may walk to the ceremony site at the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center (20 minutes) but are strongly encouraged to take one of the seven shuttles operating for the event. With nearly 5,000 people attending commencement, traffic and parking will be slower than usual. Plan on arriving early to allow time for parking and walking or riding the shuttle. Shuttle trips will begin at 7:45 a.m. Note that through traffic will be prohibited on Tulane Drive and Ralph Shockey Drive.
ADA-accessible parking will be available at the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center for vehicles with DMV-issued accessible license plates or placards. Guests using the accessible parking lot should enter at Tulane Drive and Route 50 (across from Delco Plaza). Local law enforcement, Shenandoah University’s Department of Campus Safety, and staff will assist in directing traffic. Please note that parking for those without these license plates/placards is prohibited in these areas and will result in the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense.
Also, event parking is strictly prohibited in the residential areas adjacent to the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center.
Additional guest information, including lodging, seating and security measures, is available online at su.edu/commencement/guestinfo.
2024 Commencement-Related Events
- Thursday, May 16, 4:30-5 p.m. | Graduate Walkthrough, James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
- Thursday, May 16, 5 p.m. | Grad Bash, Buzzy Plaza
- Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m. | Division of Education and Leadership and Applied Behavioral Analysis Hooding Ceremony, Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
- Friday, May 17, 9 a.m. | Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony, James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
- Friday, May 17, 11 a.m. | Baccalaureate Service (hosted by the Office of Spiritual Life), Armstrong Concert Hall
- Friday, May 17, 1 p.m. | Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing Pinning and Hooding Ceremony, Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
- Friday, May 17, 2 p.m. | School of Business Awards and Hooding Ceremony, Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium
- Friday, May 17, 4 p.m. | Health Professions (OT, OTD-PP, PH, DMS, MSOT-Weekend) Pinning and Hooding Ceremony, Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
- Friday, May 17, 5:30 p.m. | College of Arts & Sciences Awards Ceremony, Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room
- Friday, May 17, 7 p.m. | Shenandoah Conservatory Honors Recital, Awards Ceremony and Graduate Hooding, Armstrong Concert Hall
- Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. | Shenandoah University Commencement Ceremony, James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center
For more information, visit su.edu/commencement.
