Commencement

April 25 and April 26, 2025

Van Andel Arena, 130 W Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI

April 25, 2025 at 7 p.m.

GVSU Commencement April 25, 2025 - 7 p.m.

April 26, 2025 at 10 a.m.

GVSU Commencement April 26, 2025 - 10 a.m.

April 26, 2025 at 3 p.m.

GVSU Commencement April 26, 2025 - 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

 

Check out Commencement weekend hours and deals!

gvsu Laker Store on Monroe
Graduate smiling at Commencement.
Two graduates wearing blue caps and smiling and celebrating at Commencement
A graduation cap with the words "Laker for a Lifetime"

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



Page last modified April 26, 2025