You can anticipate the Graduate Hooding Ceremony to last less than two hours and each Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony to last approximately 90 minutes. Plan to arrive early.
Tickets
Tickets are required for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 12. Each graduate is allotted six (6) tickets for guests and may pick up the tickets at the Registrar’s Office on Main Campus or at Radford University Carilion beginning on Monday, Nov. 30. Graduates concerned about ticket limitations may opt to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremonies.
Parking
Parking is free and available across campus. Lot A is reserved for accessible (ADA) parking and special guest parking. Main campus parking map [PDF]
Radford Transit provides fare-free transit within the Radford community, including to and from campus. View available routes.
Entering the Commencement Venue
Doors will open one hour prior the ceremony. Guests may enter through the upper-level main entrance of Preston Hall.
Overflow seating to view the livestream will be available on the Main Stage in the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity.
Program Booklet
Programs will be available at the Bondurant Auditorium entrance.
Available for Purchase
Commencement Security Measures
The safety of our campus community remains our highest priority. All attendees should be prepared to go through a security screening before entering the commencement venue. The OpenGate security system allows for efficient and non-invasive screening, helping to maintain a safe environment while minimizing delays. In addition, we are partnering with an event security contractor to assist in this effort, and they will be dressed in yellow if you require assistance or need help. View the university's clear-bag policy and prohibited items listing.
Livestream
Links to the livestreams of the commencement ceremonies will be available on the university homepage, on this website and on the university's Facebook page for guests who want to view all the excitement but are unable to attend. Live captioning will be available.
Photography
Radford University has a contracted photography vendor to provide quality graduation photos of each student. #RadGrads and families are also welcome to take photos of their special day after the ceremony on or near the stage area as well as outside around campus.
Accessibility Services
Accessible seating for guests is available on a first come, first served basis. Accessible seating is for the person with disability plus one other person. Once at the venue, university volunteers will direct guests to the designated accessible seating areas. If you are a guest with a disability who requires accessible seating, please contact the Center for Accessibility Services by emailing cas@radford.edu.
If you need an American Sign Language interpreter, please contact the Center for Accessibility Services by emailing cas@radford.edu no later than Friday, December 4.
On-Site Assistance
University volunteers will be stationed around all ceremony events.
Lost and Found
Please email commencement@radford.edu to report lost and found items. Items will be kept for 30 days.
Severe Weather
Winter weather can be difficult to predict. We will monitor the forecast carefully for severe weather. We will provide regular updates via email to our graduating students. Any changes to the commencement schedule will also be available on this website, on the university homepage and on the university's Facebook page.