Commencement

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Grads and families: details about the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 will be shared here as they become available.

237th Commencement

Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.

A Celebration of the Class of 2024 and honorary citations.
Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, Schnader Field House

Contact commencement@fandm.edu for questions or additional information.

Commencement Tickets

Tickets are required for admission to the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.

Graduates are eligible for up to 5 guest Commencement tickets. Commencement tickets are electronic, or e-tickets, and are available to graduates through their Graduate Registration, MarchingOrder.

E-tickets are individually numbered and cannot be duplicated. All etickets are for general admission and not assigned to a specific seat. E-tickets must be presented at the door and may be printed or shown via a mobile device. All e-tickets will be scanned for entry. Entire parties are requested to gather inadvance when one individual pocesses all e-tickets. 

All guests ages three years and older should possess a ticket to enter, exit and re-enter the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center for the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Seating

Commencement main doors open to guests at 8:30 a.m. 

All guest seating is general admission and seating is first come, first served; seating may not be reserved. E-tickets are individually numbered but are not associated with any seating assignment. 

The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. with an academic processional. A seating hold will occur during the academic processional. All guests are to remain at their seats at the conclusion of the ceremony during the academic recessional. The F&M bell toll will mark the start and end of the ceremony. 

Guests must process an eticket to exit and re-enter the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.  

Large posters, balloons, or other large celebratory items may not enter the seating areas. No food or beverages are permitted in Schnader Field House.

Accessible Seating Accommodations

A limited number of accessible parking and seating options are available at the Commencement ceremony. Guests needing  additional assistance are encouraged to make advanced plans or arrangements and to arrive when doors open at 8:30 a.m.

All accessible seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats may not be reserved in advanced. All seats are plastic folding chairs. We encourage guests to bring a padded stadium seat if additional support or comfort is needed. 

Please be advised that the College does not provide wheelchairs. Guests who may need assistance into the venue or to their seats are encouraged to bring a wheelchair. All aisles must remain clear during the ceremony. Any walking aids must be safely stored away from the seating areas. Ceremony ushers are avaialble for additional assistance. Please contact commencement@fandm.edu to request or for questions about accessible seating.

Guests with disabilities may request event accommodations by completing the F&M Accessibility Event Request online form. Requests must be received two to three days before the event to be appropriately confirmed. Please contact commencement@fandm.edu for additional questions.

Parking

Shuttle service will operate continuously between the main parking areas from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the day of the ceremony. Signage will indicate designated pick-up and drop-off locations. 

A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available. Parking spaces are first-come, first-served for guests with Persons with Disability Parking Placards. A designated drop-off location near the entry doors is available. Please see a parking attendant for additional assistance.

Virtual and On-Demand Access

The 2024 Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed virtually and available on-demand.

An indoor viewing of the virtual Commencement livestream is also available at the Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts; tickets are not required. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. 

The virtual live broadcast of the ceremony will be available, check back to this page for the virtual livestream link or to view the on-demand recording of the ceremony.

Graduate Photos

Graduate Photos

Legacy Photographics will be on campus to capture graduation portraits on February 2, 2024. Graduation portraits are optional. Print and digital photo packages are available for purchase at legacyphoto.com.

Ceremony Photos

The official Commencement photographer, Legacy Photographics, will capture off-stage portraits and graduates receiving their diplomas on stage during the ceremony. Print and digital photo packages are available for purchase at legacyphoto.com.

Schedule

March 11: Regalia (Cap & Gown) Orders Due

This is the last day for graduates to order caps and gowns. Orders will be available for pick-up on April 19. The cost is $60 plus tax and additional fees. Payment is due upon pick-up.

March 22: Graduate Registration Due

All 2024 graduates must complete the graduate registration, including graduates not participating in the day-of ceremony.

March 22: Senior Success Day

F&M's Office of Student and Post-Graduate Development (OSPGD) will host a special event for graduating seniors. Graduating seniors can drop by OSPGD and enjoy resources to help them on their post-F&M path, including:  resume and/or LinkedIn review and help, individualized job search tools and advice, mock interviews, leadership coaching, and more.

March 26-April 4: Joseph International Center Reunions

The Joseph International Center will host reunions for various off-campus study cohorts. 

April 19: Senior Block Party

Graduates are invited to Distler House for an exclusive after-hours reception with the F&M Bookstore and Diplomatic Cafe. 

April 22-26: Senior Week Activities

From April 22 through April 26 graduating seniors can enjoy celebratory events including a Senior BBQ, Senior Olympics, and Senior Prom.

May 10

Graduate Rehearsal: 3 p.m.

All graduates participating in the in-person Commencement ceremony must attend the graduate rehearsal. 

Lux et Lex Walk: 4 p.m.

Graduating seniors walk the campus and pass under the Lux et Lex archway to signify the beginning of alumni careers. Hosted by the Alumni Association Board of Directors.  

May 11

Commencement Line-Up: 9 a.m.

All graduates are to report to the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center at 9 a.m. for line-up. 

237th Commencement Ceremony: 10 a.m. 

The 237th Commencement ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.

Graduate & Families Reception with Faculty: 12:30 - 2 p.m.

Graduates and guests are invited to an optional reception in Mayser Gymnasium with faculty following the Commencement ceremony. The reception offers light refreshments and an opportunity for graduates and their guests to meet and greet with their F&M faculty. 

If you plan to make reservations for lunch following the ceremony, we recommend making your reservation for 1:30 p.m. or after.

Commencement Safety Protocols & Masks

Commencement attendee safety is our top priority. We encourage but do not require attendees to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, at the indoor Commencement ceremony. We ask that all attendees self-monitor for symptoms before and during the Commencement ceremony and request you do NOT come to campus if you are ill. 

Attendees have the option to view the Commencement ceremony virtually through the live stream or at the lower-attended remote viewing location at the Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts.

Honorary Degree & Commencement Speaker

An honorary degree is F&M’s highest honor presented to those who represent the F&M mission through qualities of intellect, creativity, and character. One such individual is chosen annually to serve as the commencement speaker.

Submit a nomination »

Commencement 2023

See the highlights from our Class of 2023 Commencement.
Read More »