May 2013 Commencement Update

Commencement is one of the most memorable life experiences for our students and their families as they celebrate an amazing accomplishment uniquely special to each graduate and his or her loved ones.  Commencement is a time to celebrate, express appreciation, reflect and look ahead.  It is an opportunity to acknowledge the life-changing experience that results in earning a college degree.  It is also a time for each student to say 'thank you' to all those who made a college education possible.

For all these reasons and more, James Madison University remains committed to providing the best possible commencement experience for our graduates, their families and friends and the larger JMU community.  A part of this ongoing commitment is to identify ways to improve the commencement experience.  Measures that ensure the safety and well-being of all those attending commencement, improving traffic management, and improving event transportation and parking are important considerations.  With all these factors in mind, James Madison University’s May 2013 commencement programming will follow the format which proved successful two years ago.

A senior convocation will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 in the JMU Convocation Center and will begin at 7:00 pm.  The senior convocation allows those graduating to celebrate together with student speakers and a convocation address.  In addition, the alumni association will participate in welcoming the seniors as alumni. 

The graduate commencement ceremony will be Friday, May 3, 2013 in the JMU Convocation Center and will begin at 7:00 pm.  Those graduating with doctorate, educational specialist, and masters’ degrees will be individually recognized.

Undergraduate students will be individually recognized during the undergraduate commencement that will take place during the college ceremonies on Saturday, May 4, 2013.  Times and locations will be determined.  There will not be a separate, university-wide ceremony on that morning so as to allow everyone to attend and focus on the ceremonies where students will be individually recognized.

This return in 2013 to our previous commencement schedule follows a two year review.  Feedback from surveys and focus groups, that involved students, faculty, staff, and alumni concluded that the university’s commencement ceremonies needed to be reorganized. The college ceremonies provide an appropriate environment to preserve the recognition of individual graduates walking across the stage as their names are called, while the senior convocation provides an opportunity for the undergraduate class of May 2013 to celebrate together with the university leadership.

We look forward to making the upcoming commencement celebrations wonderful and memorable for all of our students, families and friends.