Spring 2021 Commencement

Tickets are no longer required for Spring 2021 Commencement

Based on guidance received Monday, May 3, 2021, from the University System of Georgia, TICKETS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR COMMENCEMENT! Valdosta State's Spring 2021 Commencement is now a general admission, first come, first served event with NO GUEST LIMIT. Any previously issued tickets are now void. Accessibility seats will be clearly marked with reserved place cards. Face coverings and social distancing are still strongly encouraged. Guests who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within the past 14-days and who have not followed CDC recommended quarantine protocols should not attend. Guests experiencing COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the ceremonies should not attend. Gates will open for guest admission 1 1/2 hours prior to each ceremony. The ceremonies will still take place in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as at this late date it is not possible to secure the equipment (chairs, etc.) needed to return the ceremonies to the University's Front Lawn.

Graduates will still enter the field at the northeast corner of the stadium. President Carvajal has been fully vaccinated and any graduate who has been fully vaccinated will have the option of removing their mask when they cross the stage for a photo with the President. The President will mirror the mask preference of each student.  There will be no handshakes with the President.

Valdosta State University never required tickets for Commencement prior to social distance mandates necessitated by COVID-19. Now that those mandates have been lifted, we are returning to our history of allowing graduates to bring as many guests as they like. We recognize that this information is coming to you on short-notice and we apologize for any inconvenience. This change is only possible due to the guidance received on May 3.

Watch the Commencement Live Stream HERE.

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Schedule of Ceremonies

Friday, May 7, 2021

7:30pm
Langdale College of Business Administration, Dewar College of Education and Human Services, College of the Arts

Itinerary:

• 6:00pm Gates open for all guests
• 6:30pm Grad check in begins
• 7:30-9:00pm Ceremony with Fireworks following
• 9:00-9:30pm Grads exit stadium; followed by guests

Saturday, May 8, 2021

9:00am
Graduate School Ceremony

Itinerary:

• 7:30am Gates open for all guests
• 8:00am Grad check in begins
• 9:00-10:00am Ceremony with Pyrotechnics following
• 10:00-10:30am Grads exit stadium; followed by guests

7:30pm
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Itinerary:

• 6:00pm Gates open for all guests
• 6:30pm Grad check in begins
• 7:30-9:00pm Ceremony with Fireworks following
• 9:00-9:30pm Grads exit stadium; followed by guests

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Graduate Slides

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Graduate Information

• Graduates need to arrive one hour before your scheduled ceremony.
• Check-In is located at the Northeast gate on Williams Street (across from the American Legion parking lot).
  • This gate is for graduates only. No guests will be allowed in this gate.
• Have your Grad Pass printed for Check-In.
• There will not be a line-up or processional into the stadium. Once graduates check-in they will be directed on to the field to sit with their college.

Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Map

Guest Information

• Guests will be allowed into stadium 1 and 1/2 hours prior to their graduate's ceremony.
• All guests are encouraged to wear masks at all times while in stadium.
• No guests will be allowed on the field at any time for any reason.
• There is marked handicap accessible seating for guests in need.

Commencement Parking Map

Commencement Questions

Please email commencement@valdosta.edu with any questions you may have.

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Destination Survey

Tell us your next move after graduation!

Here's the link to fill out the survey. Best of luck to you!