Families and Guests

Families, friends and guests are an integral part of commencement day celebrations for Radford University students. Visitors for commencement day are encouraged to review the information below and plan their visit to Radford University to enjoy our commencement festivities!

Lodging
There are many places to stay in and around Radford, Virginia, during the winter commencement weekend. Radford University recommends The Highlander Hotel Radford adjacent to campus, along with several other convenient lodging choices ranging from motels to bed and breakfasts.

Entering the commencement venue
Doors will open 1 hour prior the ceremony and guests may enter through the through the upper level, main entrance of Preston Hall.

If it is necessary, overflow seating to view the livestream for the Undergraduate Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14, will be available in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium. . 

Tickets and seating
Tickets are required for the Undergraduate Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.  Each graduate is allotted six (6) tickets for guests and may pick up the tickets at the Registrar’s Office on Main Campus and at RUC beginning Dec. 9. Children ages 5 and under are not required to have a ticket.

Tickets are not required for the Graduate Ceremony on Fri., Dec. 13.

Accessibility Services

• Accessible seating for guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once at the venue, University volunteers will direct guests to the designated accessible seating areas. 
• For guests requiring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services during the ceremony, contact the Center for Accessibility Services by November 27, 2023 at 540-831-6350 or cas@radford.edu.
• Service animals are permitted but this does not include service animals in training or ESAs.

Program Booklet
Programs will be available at the Bondurant Auditorium entrance upon entering the venue.

Available for purchase at the venue

• Flowers

Livestream and Photography
A link to a livestream of the commencement ceremony will be available from the University homepage, on this website and University social media platforms - Facebook and X for guests that want to view all of the excitement but are unable to attend. Live captioning will be available.

Radford University has contracted with Grad Images 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.

On-Site Assistance
Look for University volunteers wearing Radford University lanyards stationed at the Preston Hall Entrance and throughout the venue before, during and after the ceremony.

Lost and Found
Please email commencement@radford.edu to report lost and found items. Items will be kept for 30 days.

Inclement Weather
December weather can be difficult to predict. We will monitor the forecast carefully and if severe weather appears likely to impact commencement, we will provide regular updates via email to our graduating students. Any changes to the commencement schedule will also be available on this website, University homepage and on Public Radio WVRU. Updates will also be shared on University social media platforms - Facebook and X.