Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 20 | Wheeler Mall | 9:30 a.m.
Inclement Weather
The Longwood University commencement rain plan will only be put in place in the event of extreme conditions, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, or other severe weather events. The ceremony will be held outside on Wheeler Mall if at all possible. If the rain plan is put in place, the announcement will be made on Friday if possible, and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of commencement. Please check this website or call 434.395.2000 for the latest update on commencement and if the rain plan has been activated.
Graduation Requirements
If you have questions or concerns about your Graduation Requirements contact the Registrar's Office in Brock Hall, (434)395-2580.
Name Pronunciation - Undergraduate
All students who have indicated that they plan to participate in the May commencement ceremony will receive an email from NameCoach prior to the commencement ceremony.
If you feel that your name is unique to pronounce, please follow the instructions in the email to have a recording of your name shared with the Commencement Planning staff.
If you have questions please contact registrar@longwood.edu.
Accessibility Needs for Graduates and Guests
If you have questions concerning access or need disability-related accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Resources Office at (434)395-2391 or email us at accessibilityresources@longwood.edu.
Accessible parking and seating will be available at a first-come, first serve basis. There is no need to make a reservation.
Attire
All degree candidates must wear appropriate attire for the Commencement ceremony, which includes an academic cap and gown, hood and dark shoes. Members of the Alumni Office will be there to assist you with your Gown, Hood and Mortarboard.
Gown
Your gown is worn with the zipper in front.
Hood
The hood is worn with the velvet stripe showing in the front, draping over the shoulders to your back, and rolling over to expose the colors.
Safety pins will help secure your hood to your gown.
Don't wear bright colors on top that will detract from your hood.
The color of velvet hood stripe by degree:
- Bachelor of Arts - White
- Bachelor of Fine Arts - Brown
- Bachelor of Music - Pink
- Bachelor of Science - Goldenrod
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Drab
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Apricot
Mortarboard 
The mortarboard should be worn so that the point marked "Front of Cap" is down on your forehead. This allows the mortarboard to sit flat on the top of your head
Bobby pins will help secure the mortarboard to your head.
Tassel
The tassel is worn on the right before you graduate and turned to the left during the ceremony.
Teaching License Statement
If you are pursuing a teaching license, you do not necessarily line up in the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the majority line up with the College of Arts and Sciences, based on their major. Physical Education majors do line up with the College of Education and Human Services.
Diploma
Graduating students will receive their diplomas by mail within 4-6 weeks after graduating.
Diploma size for undergraduate and graduate diplomas is 11” (width) x 14” (height)
The frames that fit the 11x14” frames are:
- FRAMING SUCCESS WINDSOR DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS
- FRAMING SUCCESS CLASSIC DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS
- FRAMING SUCCESS PRESTIGE DIPLOMA FRAME. BACHELORS, MASTERS
Diploma frames may be ordered from the Longwood Bookstore website.
Announcements, Invitations and Class Rings
Order online from the Balfour Website
Professional Photography and DVD
During Commencement, professional photographers from Grad Images will take pictures of each graduate during the ceremony. They will have proofs available on their website by July 1st at www.GradImages.com.
Graduates and their families are invited to pre-register their contact information to receive notifications at the following link: http://gradimages.com/Preregistration.
Order Your Commencement DVD
A copy of the Commencement ceremony will be available for you to order on a DVD, Blu-ray, or Download through Memories Videography.
Conduct
Graduation is a formal academic ceremony and a special day for the graduates and their guests. Please respect this occasion and all who worked so hard to get here by remaining seated and quiet during the ceremony.
Also, we ask that you please show respect for your fellow students and plan to stay for the entire ceremony.
Prohibited Items:
- Alcohol
- Air horns
- Beach balls
- Bubbles
- Other Distractions
Cell Phones and Mobile Devices
All cell phones and mobile devices should be turned to silent.
Shuttle Service
Free shuttle service will be provided from 7 a.m.-9:15 a.m. and 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Lancer Park – From Third Street, use the entrance bridge onto Cormier Drive
Longwood Village – 105 Lancer Circle, Farmville, VA
Sunchase Apartments – 501 Sunchase Blvd., Farmville, VA
Area Hotels
The Longwood Village shuttle stop will pick up guests staying at the following hotels:
- Tru by Hilton
- Quality Inn
- Super 8
- Days Inn
Please plan to park at the Longwood Village parking lot to catch the shuttle to campus.
The Sunchase Apartments shuttle stop will pick up those guests who are staying at the following hotels/accommodations:
- Sunchase Apartments
- Holiday Inn Express
- Hampton Inn
Parking is available at the Sunchase Apartment parking lot.
On-Campus Commencement Parking
General parking is available at the Wynne Parking lot. Accessible parking is available in the Graham Lot on a first-come, first-serve basis and no reservations are required.
Golf carts will be available from the general and accessible parking lots for those with accessibility needs.
2022 Commencement Parking Map (pdf)
Entering Farmville: Route 460 East and West
Guests are requested to use Route 460 for entry into Farmville.
Message boards will be placed on the East Bound and West Bound sides of Rt. 460; all traffic will be directed north on Main Street.
Overnight Accommodations
Longwood Memorabilia
The Longwood Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Service Animals
Only registered service animals are permitted.
Smoking Areas
Smoking is allowed in designated locations only.
Questions
Please contact us commencement@longwood.edu