Final Exercises: Assembly and Procession Instructions

Assembly

Assembly points will be designated near the Lawn for each school's degree candidates. All students should arrive at their designated assembly points no later than 7:45 a.m. on the morning of their ceremony to allow adequate time to go through security screening. As a reminder:

• Everyone, including graduating students, will be required to go through a metal detector.

• The University’s clear bag policy will be in effect and will be subject to search.

• Everyone wearing an outer garment (ex. an academic robe or coat) will be asked to open it for a visual inspection. 

• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Visit the Public Safety, Policies, & Security page for additional information, including a list of prohibited items.

 

Saturday, May 20 (Assembly Diagram)

• College of Arts & Sciences: North Rotunda Plaza (near University Avenue)

• Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: Rotunda, Southeast Terrace & Southwest Terrace

Visit the Maps & Diagrams page for additional diagrams that pertain to Saturday's ceremony.

 

Sunday, May 21 (Assembly Diagram)

• Architecture: Rotunda, Northwest Terrace 

• Continuing & Professional Studies: Poe Alley (West Range)

• Darden Graduate Business School: Poe Alley (West Range)

• Data Science: Green Alley (East Range)

• Education and Human Development Rotunda Alley (East Range)

• Engineering & Applied Science: North Rotunda Plaza (near University Avenue)

• Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy: Rotunda, Southeast Terrace

• Law: Green Alley (East Range)

• McIntire School of Commerce: North Rotunda Plaza (near University Avenue)

• Medicine: Rotunda, Southwest Terrace (Lawn side)

• Nursing: Rotunda, Southeast Terrace (Lawn side)

Visit the Maps & Diagrams page for additional diagrams that pertain to Saturday's ceremony.

 

The Procession 

Saturday, May 20 (Procession Diagram)

The procession will start promptly at 9 a.m. The order of the procession is as follows:

• Grand Marshal
• Class of 2023 Banner Carrier
• The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences led by the Dean and the Banner Carrier
• The College of Arts & Sciences led by the Banner Carrier
• Grand Marshal (2nd trip down the Lawn)
• Platform Party (President Ryan, Board of Visitors, and University Leaders)
• Color Guard

At the end of the Final Exercises ceremony, the grand marshal, platform party, and faculty will recess up the Lawn. Following the recessional, the ceremony will officially conclude, and graduates and guests may leave their seating area.

As a reminder, alcohol is not permitted at the assembly points or on the Lawn during the Final Exercises.

 

Sunday, May 21 (Procession Diagram)

The procession will start promptly at 9 a.m. The order of the procession is as follows:

• Grand Marshal
• Class of 2023 Banner Carrier
• Schools - Each school is led by their respective Dean and  Banner Carrier
  • Wave 1: Medicine, joined by Education & Human Development, then Law and Darden
  • Wave 2: Batten and Architecture, joined by Data Science and Continuing & Professional Studies
  • Wave 3: McIntire, Nursing, and Engineering and Applied Science
• Grand Marshal (2nd trip down the Lawn)
• Platform Party (President Ryan, Board of Visitors, and University Leaders)
• Color Guard

At the end of the Final Exercises ceremony, the grand marshal, platform party, and faculty will recess up the Lawn. Following the recessional, the ceremony will officially conclude, and graduates and guests may leave their seating area.

As a reminder, alcohol is not permitted at the assembly points or on the Lawn during the Final Exercises.

Here is a short animation depicting the flow of Sunday's procession:

 

 

Updated: February 28, 2023