What to Expect at Commencement

Frequently Asked Questions

Order a Commemorative Commencement DVD

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.

• 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.