Commencement Ceremonies

Parking

Guests and graduates are invited to park in any parking lot or space on campus provided it is not marked as a reserved space for special guests or a reserved space or lot for handicapped parking. There is also a parking deck that is adjacent to the Anderson Center.

Confirmation of Participation

If you plan on participating in the ceremony you must confirm participation through the Graduation Canvas Course. All graduation applicants will receive details in your student email with steps on how to enroll into this course and confirm participation. We will also communicate any updates on guest ticketing and event expectations with you throughout the semester once you are enrolled into that course. The deadline to confirm participation is March 1, 2024.

If we do not know that you are coming, you will not be able to participate in the ceremony and will not receive tickets for your guests to attend.

If you missed the graduation application deadline for your semester, please email us at graduation@germanna.edu to request an application to be created for you manually. 

Tickets & Guest

Each graduate will be given four tickets for their guests. The commencement ceremony will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend.

Admission to the ceremony

Anyone age 2 and older must have a ticket to be admitted into the ceremony.

Time

Graduates, wearing their academic regalia, are asked to report at 6 p.m. to the Anderson Center.  Staff/Ushers will be available to assist with where and how to line up.

Guests are asked to arrive at 6:30pm. Please also check the "Security" tab on this page to ensure that you do not bring any prohibited items to the ceremony. 

Dress Code

Students are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear as there is a lot of standing prior to the ceremony. 

Academic Regalia

Graduates may now order regalia online through Herff Jones.

Deadlines

To receive the best prices and/or pick up on campus, be sure to order by March 26. After this date, you may notice increases in prices and shipping costs. This deadline is not set by the graduation team, but is managed by Herff Jones, and is designed to get your regalia to you in time for the ceremony.

The last day to place an online order is April 21.

After April 21, you will need to check the bookstore in person at Fredericksburg or Locust Grove to see if they have items in stock that you can purchase. Contact the Fredericksburg Campus bookstore at (540) 891-3002 or the Locust Grove Campus bookstore at (540) 423-9129 for more information.

• Associate package (if you are completing any associate) – cap, gown, tassel, and hood
• Certificate package (certificates, career studies certificates, or credentials only – NO ASSOCIATES) – cap, gown, and tassel
•  Honors cords will be provided by the graduation team closer to commencement

If you would like to participate in the ceremony but need assistance with regalia, please email the graduation team at graduation@germanna.edu.  Please include your student ID#, your height, and your desired campus for pickup.

Tips

• Purchase regalia items individually if you already have some items from previous Germanna ceremonies.
• You may decorate your cap as long as the decoration is not offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive to the ceremony or graduates, and it aligns with the College's expectation of professionalism that exhibits the skill, competence, and character expected of educational professionals.

Accessories

The College will provide bobby pins and safety pins to help keep caps and gowns in place when you arrive to line up before the event.

Honor Graduates

Graduates who have fulfilled their program requirements are eligible for graduation honors based on their cumulative grade point average, determined as follows:

• 3.2 Cum Laude (with honor)
• 3.5 Magna Cum Laude (with high honor)
• 3.8 Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor)

Eligibility for honors for those graduates completing their requirements in the Spring 2024 semester will be determined by using their Fall 2023 semester cumulative grade point average. This is for ceremony purposes only.

Honor students will receive an email confirming honors. Eligible honor students will receive their cords with their ticket packet.

Phi Theta Kappa Members

The purchase of PTK items for commencement is the PTK members responsibility.

Purchase PTK items

SAGA Members

Cords can be purchased directly from the bookstore.

Security

Personal belongings are the responsibility of the graduate and their guests.  Germanna nor the Anderson Center will be responsible for any missing items.

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol
• Air horns
• Large or oversized umbrellas
• Confetti and Flutterfetti
• Silly String
• Balloons or inflatable items, such as beach balls
• Poles, monopods, tripods
• Weapons: guns, ammunition, knives, box cutters
• Leatherman or similar tools
• Sharp and/or pointed objects (scissors, knitting needles, etc.)
• Mace, pepper spray
• Spray containers, aerosols, flammable liquids
• Explosives, fireworks, laser lights, laser pointers
• Unopened packages
• Signs with sticks or on poles
• Cans, bottles, coolers
• Streamers

Permissible Items (All items subject to search)

• Flowers
• Small umbrellas
• Unopened water bottles as long as they are 32 oz. or smaller and sealed
• Small hand-held still cameras and video cameras (no tripods)
• Binoculars
• Cell phones (must be silenced during ceremony)

Anyone entering with prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicle.

Photography

Germanna has partnered with GradImages to take professional photos of every graduate.  Photos will be taken of the hand shake with the President as well as a posed portrait once the diploma cover has been received.  Graduates can expect to receive proofs of their photos three to five days after the event.

Proof Pre-registration

To pre-register to receive your proofs visit the pre-register website to receive your proofs.

If you have any questions related to finding or ordering your photos after the event please call (800) 261-2576 or go visit GradImages website.

Commencement T-Shirt, Sweatshirts, and Flowers

Germanna has partnered with The Commencement Group to offer the purchase of t-shirts and sweatshirts that show the first initial and last name of each graduate in the graduating class on the back. They will also offer the purchase of flowers.  All items will be available for purchase at the ceremony. You can pre-order by clicking on the following link:

Pre-order today

Processional

Platform dignitaries, led by the President, will start the processional march, followed by Germanna College Board members, faculty and then graduate candidates.

By 6 p.m. graduates will assemble in the area designated for their respective degrees or certificates.  Processional coordinators will align graduates in proper alphabetical order.

Identification Cards

Upon arrival graduates will be issued an identification card indicating their name and the degree/certificate to be awarded.

This card will be needed as you proceed across the stage to receive your diploma cover, so please do not lose it or leave it at your seat before you walk across the stage.

Family or Friends

No family or friends will be allowed where the graduates are lining up prior to the ceremony.

Recessional

Aisle marshals will direct graduates, board members, and faculty how to recess

Donation of Cap, Gown, and Hood

Anyone wishing to donate their cap/gown/hood for future graduates in need can drop them off at any Welcome Center.

Conferral and Diploma Distribution

Each row of graduates will be led to the stage by an aisle marshal.

Upon reaching the stage each graduate will give their identification card to the Dean of Enrollment Services.  At the center of the stage each graduate will be greeted with a handshake by the President and be presented with a diploma cover.  After shaking hands graduates are to proceed off the stage and return to their seat.

*Note:  Alternate arrangements will be made for graduates with special needs.

Confirmation of Graduation

Participation in the commencement ceremony is not confirmation of graduation. Final conferral will be completed when all final grades have been posted and reviewed at the end of each semester.

Diplomas will be mailed to the address currently on file so if you have moved please submit a Record Change Form to the Welcome Center or email it to admissions@germanna.edu.

Graduation is an exciting time for you and the College and we look forward to sharing this special event with you and your guests.  If you have any questions about the commencement ceremony, please email graduation@germanna.edu.

Maps and Directions to Commencement

Address

1301 College Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Directions

From Interstate 95:

• Take Exit 130A (Route 3 East), and follow through five stoplights.
• At the sixth light, turn LEFT onto Busi­ness Route 3 (William Street), remaining in the LEFT lane.
• At the first light, turn LEFT onto College Avenue, and the campus will be on your right.
• Once on College Avenue, go straight through the first stoplight, and turn RIGHT at the second light (Route 1), Drive under the UMW Walkway and make an immediate RIGHT onto Alvey Drive.
• Visitor parking is located in the parking deck adjacent to the gyms

Please visit the UMW visitor site for campus maps and directions here.

Commencement Information for Faculty

Who

All full-time faculty are expected to attend the commencement ceremony. If you cannot attend, you must make this request through your dean. The request will then go to Dr. Shashuna Gray and Dr. Janet Gullickson for final approval. This request cannot be made through traditional leave. 

What

Spring Semester Commencement and Health Sciences Ceremonies

When

May 7, 2024

• Health Sciences Pinning and Commencement Ceremony – 2:00 p.m.
• Traditional Commencement Ceremony – 7:00 p.m.
• Required arrival time for the Traditional Ceremony –  6:30 p.m.
• Commencement Ceremony – 7:00 p.m.
• Plan to arrive with ample time to find parking and join us at the Anderson Center to assemble for the procession. Please check in with the administrative staff upon your arrival at the Anderson Center. 

Where

Anderson Center located at UMW.

Cap & Gown Requirement

Full-time faculty must wear a cap and gown. If you need a cap and gown or have a cap and gown to share, please complete the Cap and Gown Exchange document.

Commencement Information for Board Members and Special Guests

Commencement Information for Board Members and Special Guests

Parking

• Upon arrival, have your parking pass visible on your dashboard or prepared to show it to the police officer. The officer will direct you to your designated VIP parking spot.  Please contact the president’s office for your VIP parking pass.

Instructions for those attending the Health Sciences Pinning and Commencement Ceremony

Health Sciences Pinning and Commencement Ceremony

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Date: May 2024 (day TBD)

Location: UMW's Anderson Center, 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Attire: Professional attire. The regalia is for use solely at the Commencement Ceremony. 

Instructions for those attending the Traditional Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Ceremony

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Date: May 2024 (day TBD)

Location: UMW's Anderson Center, 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Attire: Regalia is for use at the Commencement Ceremony. 

Instructions for Robing of Regalia, line up and procession to the stage

Upon arrival at the Anderson Center, please check in at the VIP table in the lobby. From there you will be shown to the reserved area to begin robing. Please arrive to the reserved area no later than 6:15pm so everyone is robed and in place to be seated on the stage for Commencement. 

Time: 6:15 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. – Robing of Regalia

           6:50 p.m. – 6:55 p.m. – Procession to the stage

           7:00 p.m. – Commencement begin

Departure

Following Commencement, please return to the reserved area to disrobe. All regalia must be collected prior to your departure.