Congratulations Graduates
Spring 2024 graduates and your guests are cordially invited to the VCU School of Education’s Spring 2024 Graduation and Reception:
School of Education Reception
Friday, May 10 from 4:30-6 p.m.
Oliver Hall/Trani Hall lawn (VCU Monroe Park Campus)
School of Education Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
Stuart C. Siegel Center (1200 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23284)
Graduates who wish to participate in either of these events must RSVP by completing this form to register by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2024.
Information about Spring 2024 University-wide Commencement,
Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. is here.
Graduate Reception & Graduation Ceremony Instructions
RSVP In order to accurately plan for the ceremony and reception, please be sure to submit your RSVP no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024.
CAPS AND GOWNS Caps and gowns are required for participation in the VCU Commencement Exercises and the School of Education Graduation Ceremony. Graduates will need to purchase their academic regalia prior to Commencement day. Regalia will be available for purchase at the Barnes & Noble @ VCU on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. If you are unable to visit Barnes & Noble, please order your regalia online at https://www.balfour.com/vcu. Shipping charges will apply to all online orders. Regalia prices, including cap, gown, hood, and tassel, are bachelor set, $63.94; master set, $81.94; and Ph.D./Ed.D., set $120.92. (Note: sales tax is not included in these prices.)
GRADUATES RECEPTION Spring 2024 graduates and their guests are invited to join the faculty, staff, and alums of the School of Education for a Graduates Reception on Friday, May 10th from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on the Oliver Hall/Trani lawn, on the VCU Monroe Park Campus. The reception will take place outdoors, and will feature live music and brief remarks from the Dean. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available featuring wine and beer, as well as soft drinks and bottled water. Those who wish to consume alcoholic beverages must be over the age of 21 and present a valid photo ID with a date of birth.
UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT Candidates should plan to arrive at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC), 403 N. 3rd Street by 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11th for the Commencement. Candidates should follow signs to their school assembly areas, where faculty marshals will provide further information. Commencement exercises will begin at 10 a.m. Additional information on the VCU Commencement can be accessed at VCU Commencement.
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION GRADUATION CEREMONY The School of Education Graduation Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 11th at 1 p.m. in the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23284. Graduates will begin lining up at 12:15 p.m. You will pick up your name card at the Auxiliary Gym and follow the signs for line-up. You will line up behind the signs which indicate your degree. SOE Faculty Marshals will assist you with finding your place in line. The processional will begin promptly at 1 p.m. It is critical that we begin at the scheduled time so that we can conclude at the scheduled time as another graduation ceremony follows ours. Candidates who arrive late will be added to the end of the line. Guests will be seated starting at 12:30 p.m.
HONOR GRADUATES: ACADEMIC HONORS ARE AWARDED TO GRADUATES FOR STELLAR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL ONLY. Cum laude is awarded for a 3.30 to 3.59 GPA, magna cum laude is awarded for a 3.60 to 3.89 GPA, and summa cum laude is awarded for 3.90 GPA or better. Academic honors are based on your undergraduate GPA when you complete the graduation application. The Graduation Office notifies the School of Education of honor recipients. If you would like to wear the cords at graduation, please purchase them through the Barnes and Noble @ VCU bookstore, located at 1111 West Broad Street. Students with honor cords will wear them draped around the neck over the gown.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS For VCU Commencement, candidates and guests with mobility impairments will have access to accessible drop-off points at the GRCC. Information regarding drop-off points will be available on the Commencement website soon. Graduates needing special accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity at (804) 828-2253.
For the SOE Graduation Ceremony, mobility-impaired guests may be dropped off and picked up at the Siegel Center UU Lot or they may park on the lower level of the Bowe Street Deck at the Siegel Center. The Siegel Center is completely accessible. Please use the entrance at the southwest corner and take the elevator to the lower level. If other accommodations are needed, please call the SOE Dean’s Office at (804) 828-3382.
DIPLOMAS Diplomas will be mailed beginning June 2024, to the address provided during graduation checkout. To receive your diploma, you must meet all financial obligations to the university. Diplomas will not be released for those students who have not met their financial obligations. Please contact the Office of Records and Registration at (804) 827-1673 or graduation@vcu.edu once those obligations have been met.
GUESTS Due to time constraints, please do not try to meet your guests between the VCU Commencement Exercises and the SOE Graduation Ceremony. Instead, arrange to meet your friends and family after the SOE Graduation Ceremony.
SAFETY For your safety, please be advised that alcoholic beverages, wrapped gifts, balloons, and/or flammable items are strictly prohibited. Persons carrying such items will not be admitted to the ceremony. Please turn off cell phones prior to the ceremonies. To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, security officers may confiscate such items that interfere with the programs. We want you to enjoy the festivities, and we expect everyone to comply with these policies for the safety of all of our guests.
PHOTOGRAPHS During the ceremony, a photograph will be taken of you as you receive your degree and a portrait will be taken once you exit the stage. You will be contacted directly with information about purchasing pictures. The School of Education takes great pride in recognizing its graduates at both ceremonies on May 11th and we hope you will participate.
If you have any questions, please call the Dean’s Office at (804) 828-3382.