Grad Bash
Tickets are required for entry. Due to a change in programming, we have extended the Grad Bash ticketing reservation window to Monday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. If you plan to attend one or both of these events, you will need a ticket for entry. You must arrive before 7:15 p.m. if you are planning to attend the Senior Candle Lighting and Toast to have your ticket scanned at the entrance, and to be wrist banded. IDs will be required for participation in the Senior Candle Lighting portion of the event.
Enter and vote for the Grad Cap decorating contest!
Winners of the Grad Cap decorating contest will be notified by email.
Ticketing
Ticketing ended on May 1st at noon. Tickets will be delivered into your account next week along with instructions on how to download and/or transfer them at that time. Please watch for an email from athletic-ticketing@jmu.edu for this information.
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.*
For questions about commencement, contact jmugrad@jmu.edu
For questions about ticketing, contact athletic-ticket@jmu.edu
Arriving at the Atlantic Union Bank Center
Doors to the Atlantic Union Bank Center open either sixty or ninety minutes prior to your ceremony, and early admittance will not be permitted. Guests will enter at either the Plaza or Champions Entrance. Graduates will enter through designated “Grad Only” doors at the Plaza Entrance. We ask that you do not arrive to the parking lots surrounding the AUBC until doors open for your respective ceremony.
The Commencement ceremonies in May consist of consecutive ceremonies over a three-day period in our arena, Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC). We anticipate a significant number of visitors on campus for the commencement exercises. Our expectation is that all AUBC ceremonies will conclude before the next ceremony welcomes guests and graduates at the entrances. We acknowledge and appreciate your patience with our security team and staff members.
We suggest that you allow for extra travel time due to traffic. The JMUGrad Office strongly encourages you to park on west campus and walk to the AUBC if you are able. To view the 2025 commencement parking map, click here.
Parking Information:
The following lots are within a short walking distance to the Atlantic Union Bank Center:
- Ballard Parking Deck (East Campus Parking Deck) – 649 University Blvd. You must use University Blvd. to enter the deck.
- Lots D3, C12, and R4 – 1400 Carrier Drive (these lots are across from the Festival Center)
- Accessible parking is located on every level of the Ballard Parking Deck (the parking deck adjacent to the Atlantic Union Bank Center).
- For student reference, there will be no parking services (ticketing) over Commencement Weekend. Students are permitted to park in both faculty and commuter spaces specifically for Commencement purposes.
If you have missed the Tassel registration for commencement, below are the steps to take to ensure you are set for your commencement ceremony.
If you receive a seat assignment the week of commencement, that means we have a name card for you. When you arrive at the arena, go to your assigned seat and double check your name card to ensure the information is correct. Should you need to make a change, visit the name card table. Should you want to run through the pronunciation of your name with the reader, you will find a table located on the graduate floor. The reader will be there until twenty minutes prior to the ceremony.
If you did not receive a seat assignment but have tickets, you will need to arrive to the arena early and stop by the name card table to obtain a name card. Representatives at the table will guide you where best to sit. Should you want to run through the pronunciation of your name with the reader, you will find a table located on the graduate floor. The reader will be there until twenty minutes prior to the ceremony.
Security at the Entrances
Bag checks and metal detectors will be utilized at all entrances. We encourage you to leave unnecessary bags at home or in your car, if possible, to speed up the process of entering the ceremonies. We will not implement the clear-bag policy for commencement.
Prohibited Items:
- Alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, weapons, fireworks
- Animals (service animals are permitted, to see the policy click here)
- Balloons
- Bags larger than 12”x12”x12”
- Coolers
- Glass and metal containers
- Noise makers and other devices that impede the ceremonies
- Food and beverages (though one unopened bottle of water per person and food for a baby or for health reasons are permitted.) Concessions open when doors open and are located throughout the arena.
- Signs, flags, banners, or obscene or indecent clothing
- Wheelies, bicycles and skateboards
- Wrapped gifts
Allowed Items:
- One unopened bottle of water per person
- Strollers are permitted; however, guests are encouraged to only bring a stroller if necessary. Strollers brought into the Atlantic Union Bank Center must be left at the Campanelli Club area near Plaza Entrance and cannot be taken to the seating areas. JMU does not accept responsibility for any lost of broken strollers.
- Flowers and small floral balloons
- Still cameras are permitted. However, in no instance may photography interfere with access ways, aisles, or other guests' enjoyment of the ceremonies. Video cameras, monopods and tripods are not permitted. This event will be live-streamed.
Graduates, you should enter the arena using the Plaza Entrance doors, specifically the two doors that are farthest to the right. Your guests may enter at any of the other doors. You will be asked by event/security personnel to unzip your gown as they look for prohibited items.
Event Accessibility
Accessible Parking :
Parking within a short walking distance:
- For individuals with official state-issued handicap parking permits and individuals in need of accessible parking, there are reserved spaces in the Ballard Parking Deck and all lots surrounding Atlantic Union Bank Center. Please be certain that your DMV-issued Handicap Permit is displayed and visible.
- Ballard Parking Deck is accessible with elevator service on every level and a short walk through the Plaza to either entrance.
- Surrounding lots with a short walking distance: D3 lot, C12 lot, R4 lot.
Accessible Seating:
- Atlantic Union Bank Center provides accessible seating for those with limited mobility. Seating in the top of sections 102 and 104 will be reserved for guests who are unable to navigate stairs. To provide adequate seating during the ceremony, we ask that only one guest accompany each guest with limited mobility. The rest of your party may sit in the general admission section.
- Wheelchair seating will be available in the lower concourse, above sections 103, 105, 107 and 109. To provide adequate seating during the ceremony, we ask that only one guest accompany each guest with limited mobility.
- The university does not provide wheelchairs for guests. To view additional information regarding Shenandoah Valley wheelchair rentals, click here.
Captioning and Interpreter Services:
- Closed captioning will be available during all ceremonies on a large screen beside the right side of the stage.
- JMU will provide American Sign Language interpreters for the commencement ceremonies held in Atlantic Union Bank Center. The interpreter will appear on the video board for viewers to follow along. The sign language interpreters will not sign graduate names during the ceremony.
- Commencement ceremonies will be live-streamed on the JMU website the week of Commencement and displayed across social media platforms for online viewers. The live-stream will include captioning.
Please email your accessibility questions by May 6th to jmugrad@jmu.edu or call 540-568-7787.
Commencement Amenities
The following amenities will be available at the commencement ceremonies:
Concessions will be available prior to and during commencement. Concession stands are located on the Champions side of the arena.
The Team Store will be opened for guests and graduates to purchase JMU memorabilia: Class of 2025 t-shirts, Diploma Frames, Alumni gear and much more!
Blakemore's Flowers will be present for guests to purchase floral arrangements for their graduate at commencement. They will be located in tents outside at both the Champions and Plaza entrances.
Still Need Regalia?
Regalia is available to purchase at the JMU Bookstore.
You should not wait until the last minute to purchase regalia as your height and size of gown may not be available. When you are ordering online, you will need to provide your height, weight and degree. Your tassel and hood color will signify your degree.
You can find the hood and tassel colors assigned on the commencement website.
- Bachelor Regalia set here.
- Masters Regalia set here.
- Honor Cords here.
- Stole of Gratitude here (optional) - The Stole of Gratitude is worn during the commencement ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the stole to someone who provided extraordinary help or support, like parents, relatives, or mentors who have helped with wisdom, words of support, or with financial assistance. Stoles of Gratitude may be decorated. Presenters can write words of love and appreciation on the back of the stole. Recipients will never forget the kindness in the recognition and emotional and sentimental feelings connected with being presented the Stole of Gratitude.
How to wear your JMU regalia!
How to Graduate!
Class Rings and Announcements!
To order rings and announcements please click here!
Download the JMUGrad App!
We're the official APP for all JMU Commencement Ceremonies. Find everything from FAQs, parking information, and interactive maps, and more!
Congrats Class of 2025!
Please visit the commencement website to view additional information related to the ceremonies.
Graduates, we encourage you to share commencement information with your guests. Guests and family members wishing to join our newsletter subscription, please email JMUGrad@jmu.edu. All editions will be sent via email. Graduates, you automatically are on the list to receive the newsletters, therefore you do not need to sign up.