Prepping your student for Winter Graduation
Graduation is one of the biggest days celebrated. We want it to be a great experience that runs as smoothly as possible. To ensure that everything goes as it should, University Events has provided some things that need to happen for your student to have a smooth graduation process.
- Apply to graduate: This is not an automatic process. Your student must take certain steps to ensure everything is in order. The Registrar’s Office has all the details.
- Get Your Regalia: Your student must go to the University Bookstore to obtain their cap and gown to be worn at the ceremony.
- Arrive on Time: Winter Graduation features two ceremonies at EagleBank Arena on Thursday, Dec. 19. Ceremony I is at 10 a.m., Ceremony II is at 2 p.m. Graduates need to be there no later than 45 minutes before the start time. Check schedule below. It is recommended that guests arrive one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Traffic will by heavy so please plan accordingly.
Guest tickets are not required. There are no reserved seats, but special needs seating will be available. People who use wheelchairs or have special seating requirements can sit in a designated space in the concourse area.
Scheduled Events
Schools and colleges present degrees at morning and afternoon ceremonies at EagleBank Arena on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019.
EagleBank Arena concourse doors open for guests one hour before each ceremony.
All Graduates are asked to enter the EagleBank Arena through the lower level loading dock doors on the east side.
Bachelors and Masters candidates should directly enter the arena and be seated with their college. Doctoral candidates should proceed to the Concourse Upper level, East Side to join with the faculty and university marshals. The Winter Graduation doctoral / faculty / platform procession will start from the loading dock area.
The ceremonies will last approximately two hours.
If you choose to attend your graduation ceremony at EagleBank Arena, please show respect to the faculty, graduates, and their families by remaining for the entire event. It is not appropriate to walk out before all graduates attending have been recognized and the ceremony has been officially ended.
Ceremony I, Thursday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science
- Schar School of Policy and Government
- Antonin Scalia Law School
- School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Ceremony II, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.
- School of Business
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Education and Human Development
- Volgenau School of Engineering
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
If EagleBank Arena reaches capacity, an overflow viewing area will be in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Mason Pond Drive, across Patriot Circle from the arena. Shuttles will be available at the South Entrance of EagleBank to transport anyone needing assistance to the Concert Hall.
Get Your Regalia Ready to March
Your student can get caps and gowns, graduation announcements, and class rings at the University Bookstore in the Johnson Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bookstores on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas and at the Arlington Campus will also sell caps and gowns.
PhD candidates must wear approved Mason custom regalia.
All rental regalia must be returned immediately following the ceremony outside the Hospitality Suite in the lower level of EagleBank Arena at the bookstore collection table. Candidates who do not return their regalia will be charged the purchase price.
Where to stay
Please visit masonfamily.gmu.edu/where-to-stay or www2.gmu.edu/winter-graduation/hotels for a list of discounted hotels. Limited number of discounted rooms are available.
University Events
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