Commencement
April 25 and April 26, 2025
Van Andel Arena, 130 W Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI
April 25, 2025 at 7 p.m.
April 26, 2025 at 10 a.m.
April 26, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Friday, April 25 7 p.m. Ceremony
Participating Colleges:
College of Computing
College of Education and Community Innovation
Padnos College of Engineering
Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Saturday, April 26 10 a.m. Ceremony
Participating colleges:
College of Health Professions
Seidman College of Business
Saturday, April 26 3 p.m. Ceremony
Participating colleges:
Kirkhof College of Nursing
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Graduates will be seated by College and then by degree level. This is the order they will cross the stage. See order of colleges for each ceremony below.
Tickets
Tickets are not required. However, due to capacity limitations at the venue, we ask that all candidates be mindful of their number of guests in attendance. This will ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience and that there are seats available for all. All seats are general admission, seating is first-come, first-seated and there are no reserved seats. We will live stream the ceremony and provide a live stream link on the homepage on the day of the event.
Ceremony Information
- Doors open 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony start time
- The ceremony is anticipated to be no longer than 2.5 hours. (Please allow for time to find your seat before the ceremony. Also allow time for exiting and meeting up with your graduate/supporters after the ceremony, when considering plans after the event.)
Visit the What to Expect page for the complete list of details you'll need to know about the big day!
Land Acknowledgement
At a significant University event like Commencement, we have an opportunity to offer appreciation to those who were stewards of the land on which our beautiful campus was built, long before most of our ancestors arrived. We embrace our role as a leader in urgently advancing equity for all learners and ensure that our community serves as a catalyst for a more just and sustainable world. Grand Valley recognizes the Three Fires People, who include the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi, on whose ancestral lands we now live and work.
New Laker Store location downtown, just blocks away from Van Andel Arena!
101 Monroe Center St. NW | Grand Rapids




Commencement is coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University.