By Joy Vann

Old Dominion University kicks off its 2025 Spring Commencement this week. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re a student, family member or guest.

The Advanced Degree Ceremony for graduate students in all colleges and schools is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 9 at Chartway Arena. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.  

Due to expected inclement weather Friday night — including rain and potential thunderstorms — the academic processional from Webb Student Center to Chartway Arena is cancelled. Graduates for this ceremony will assemble in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena and faculty will robe in the East Lobby of Chartway Arena. 

Approximately 650 students will be awarded education specialist, master’s and doctoral degrees. John Ford, Ph.D., a professor of marketing and international business, Eminent Scholar and Haislip Rohrer Fellow at Old Dominion University, will speak at the ceremony.

The Main Undergraduate Ceremony, celebrating approximately 2,100 students, will take place at 9:30 a.m. on May 10 at Kornblau Field in S.B. Ballard Stadium. Gates open at 8 a.m. Award-winning actress, producer and director Meagan Good will be the keynote speaker.

Immediately following the outdoor ceremony, students will move to breakout ceremonies for their individual colleges and schools at previously announced locations, where stage crossing and distribution of diplomas will take place.

The undergraduate ceremonies will celebrate graduates of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, the Ellmer School of Nursing, the Strome College of Business, the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Sciences, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science.

The Class of 2025 Advanced Degree Ceremony for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School and EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University will be held at 10 a.m. on May 17 at Chartway Arena. Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president for Health Sciences at ODU and dean of Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU will give the ceremony remarks.

You can read more about the graduation speakers in this story.

The Joint Army and Naval ROTC Commissioning Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on May 8 in Chartway Arena.

The Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Military Commissioning and Recognition Ceremony will be begin at 11:30 a.m. on May 15 in McCombs Auditorium in Lewis Hall. Graduating military medical students will be commissioned into service in the U.S. Armed Forces, and graduating military physician assistant students will be honored. Guests should park in Visitor Garage A, located at 725 West Olney Road. If you would like to attend, email [email protected]. Find a map and additional information about parking on campus.

Student Information: There is no rehearsal for the ceremonies. Information on reporting location and time and student information and instructions were emailed to all participants.

Families and guests: All guests must have a ticket to enter the venue. Tickets are only distributed to qualified graduating students. All children over the age of two require a ticket. Children two and younger can sit in the lap of a parent or guardian.

Student Parking Instructions, Parking Maps: 49th Street between Hampton Boulevard and Bluestone Avenue will be closed on May 10. A

For ceremonies in Chartway Arena: Students should park in the 49th Street Stadium Garage or 43rd and Bluestone Avenue Garage. Students with a DMV accessibility placard may park on the first level.

For ceremonies in S.B. Ballard Stadium: Students should park in the 43rd and Elkhorn and the 43rd and Bluestone Parking Garages. Students with a DMV accessibility placard may use the 49th Street Stadium Garage.

Family and Guest Parking: Guests are advised to arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. If providing transportation for a graduate, guests should be at the registration area no later than 60 minutes prior to the ceremony. Signage on Hampton Boulevard in front of the campus will direct guests to the appropriate entrances.

Accessibility: Commencement ceremonies at Old Dominion University are accessible to all graduates and guests. View details here.

Photo and Video: Guests are encouraged to take photos and video except during inappropriate times or in locations that would disrupt the ceremony, particularly the processional. ODU has contracted with GradImages to provide graduation photos of each student. Proofs will be emailed to the student no later than 30 days after the ceremony.

Clear Bag Policy: ODU has a Clear Bag Policy. Guests may bring one clear bag and one small bag per person. Clear bags approved for entry are clear totes (12x6x12) or a one-gallon, clear plastic storage bag. Small bags (6.5x4.5") and wallets are allowed. One seat cushion per person is also allowed and must be 16x16" without arms or pockets. Items not allowed include large purses, briefcases, backpacks, drawstring bags, personal seatbacks, diaper bags, fanny packs, coolers, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases and luggage of any kind.

Watch live: Visit odu.edu/commencement/schedule for livestream information about the May 9 and 10 ceremonies will be available. The May 17 ceremony will be livestreamed via evms.edu/commencement.

Inclement Weather: Please refer to this page for the latest ceremony information.

For more information about the ceremonies, visit the FAQ section on the University’s Commencement page.