Welcome back, Class of 2025!
We hope you had a great start to your last semester here at JMU!
As you prepare for your winter commencement, please read over the monthly newsletters for important information. This is edition one of three, so be sure to keep your eye out for the next two!
In addition, please share this information with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe to the newsletters by emailing jmugrad@jmu.edu.
Undergraduates:
If you are planning to graduate in December 2025, please apply to graduate via MyMadison. The last day to apply to confirm your name will be in the printed program is November 1st by midnight. Although we make every effort to include all graduate names, the printed program must follow a production schedule.
Master's, Ed.S., and doctoral students:
Your deadline was May 31st, 2025. Should you have questions, contact gradstudentservices@jmu.edu.
How to Apply: Log in to MyMadison, then select the Student Tab and click Student Center. To start the application process, choose Graduation from the other academic dropdown menu. If you have questions, view this tutorial or email graduation@jmu.edu.
Commencement Schedule
Winter Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, December 13th, 10:00 a.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Nursing Convocation
Friday, December 12th, 11:00 a.m. | Wilson Hall Auditorium
Honors College Medallion Ceremony
Friday, December 12th, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Festival Conference and Student Center, Highlands Room
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Friday, December 12th, 2:00 p.m. | Memorial Hall Auditorium, Memorial Hall
Register for Commencement
You will receive a link via email from Tassel on October 3rd.
The email might resemble spam, but it is sent by the Tassel system that we use to manage name displays for commencement. Registering for commencement is critical for our operations for your graduate recognition on the stage. The system will confirm your attendance for commencement, verify your name phonetically for our commencement reader, and you will have the opportunity to record your pronunciation of your name. In this registration, we will also collect accessibility needs of the graduate. Do not submit guest accessibility needs in this registration. For questions about accessibility for guests, please visit our website.
Timeline:
- October 3rd - Registration opens
- October 21st and November 7th - Registration reminders will be sent via email
- November 17th - Final reminder email to register
- November 19th - Registration will close at midnight
Ceremony Details
Winter Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m.
Atlantic Union Bank Center
The 2025 Winter Commencement will be a combined ceremony for both undergraduate and graduate students. This is a ticketed event. Each graduate may request up to six (6) tickets for family and friends. Graduates must also select one (1) graduate ticket for themselves in order to enter. The graduate ticket is separate from the guest ticket allotment.
The ceremony will include all the traditional pomp and circumstance, with live music, a guest speaker, and the procession of graduates across the stage as their names are read aloud. The commencement speaker will be announced soon!
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Early entry will not be permitted.
Senior Compass
Senior Compass is a non-credit Canvas course all undergraduate students must complete the semester leading up to graduation. Once you apply to graduate, the Senior Compass Hold will be placed on your account automatically at the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate; the hold will be removed once the two Senior Compass requirements are completed.
Email SeniorCompass@jmu.edu or visit Senior Compass: Navigating the Road to Graduation for more information.
Ticketing Timeline
Oct. 1 - Ticketing will open at noon.
Graduates will recieve an email from JMUGrad advising that graduates may submit their request - max of six (6) tickets. JMU Athletic Ticketing Office will be present at Commencement Expo to answer any ticketing questions.
Oct. 15 & Nov. 12 - Email Reminders
Emails will be sent to remind graduates to request their tickets.
Dec. 1 - Final Email Reminder
Final email will be sent to remind graduate that ticketing ends on December 3rd at 12 noon.
Dec. 3 - Ticketing Ends
Ticketing ends at 12 noon. Following this date, emails will come out about ticket transfer, parking, graduate seating assignments, and more!
How the Ticketing Process Works:
- Only the graduate can order tickets, maximum of six (6) from their student athletics account on JMU Athletics (will be sent a link via email from JMU Grad on October 1st).
- Tickets will be e-mobile tickets. All tickets must be downloaded to their Apple Wallet or Google Play App prior to arriving at Atlantic Union Bank Center. You can hall all six tickets on one device, however, all guests will need to enter the arena at the same time.
- Graduate, you will be sent a ticket for yourself that you will need on your device to enter the arena. When you register for guest tickets, you will automatically be sent a ticket for yourself, closer to commencement. This is in addition to the six maximum guest tickets you may request.
- A barcode will not be displayed, rather the ticket will say "Hold Near Reader" for contactless entry.
- Children (5 years and younger) do not need a ticket if they are sitting on another guest's lap. However, if a child will need their own seat they will need to acquire a ticket.
- All guest tickets are general seating.
Ticketing transfer instructions and how to reserve your tickets can be found here. *Note: This website pertains to athletic events, but is the same system for commencement.*
Commencement Expo
Wednesday, October 1st and Thursday, October 2nd
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
JMU Bookstore
Commencement Expo is your one-stop shop for commencement needs. This will be the first opportunity to purchase your regalia package (cap, gown, hood and tassel). JMU’s preferred vendor, Balfour, will be on site to showcase invitations, announcements and rings. The JMU Ticketing Office will also be available to assist with obtaining tickets. Graduates only need to attend one of the Expo days to pick up regalia. If you are unable to attend either day, regalia will be available for purchase through the JMU Bookstore the week following. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
We hope to see you there!
Rings and Announcements
Don't miss out on ordering your official class rings and graduation announcements before it's too late!
Rings and announcements can be ordered through Balfour.
Commencement Checklist
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Apply to Graduate and View your Graduation Status
Click HERE for procedures to apply to graduate and view your graduation status. Diplomas will be mailed shortly after commencement and should arrive 8-10 weeks after your degree has been conferred. Make sure your permanent/home address is correct, and if it is not, you can make those changes in MyMadison. -
Reserve Lodging
Remind your family and guests to make lodging reservations. If accommodations in Harrisonburg are limited, consider nearby cities and towns such as Woodstock, Staunton, Mount Jackson, Fishersville, New Market and others within 30 miles. -
Learn the Alma Mater
If you don't know it, now is the time to get to know it! -
Watch for Upcoming Newsletters
We will share updates on the commencement speaker, regalia, parking, accessibility and more.