Class of 2024 Commencement

Friday, May 24

9 a.m. Commencement Rehearsal & Graduation Gift Distribution | Ainslie Auditorium - Breakfast Provided (Seniors Only)
2 - 3:45 p.m. Dorm Packing for Senior
3:30 p.m. Vocal Ensemble Baccalaureate Rehearsal | Langhorne Memorial Chapel
4:30 p.m. Senior Baccalaureate Lineup | Pendleton Basement (Seniors Only)
5 p.m.  Baccalaureate for seniors and their families (and Vocal Ensemble) | Langhorne Memorial Chapel
(Seniors, Families & Faculty only - see  FAQs for number of guests allowed)
Following Baccalaureate until 11 p.m. Town Permission. Students may leave campus with their families or a VES host family. 

 

Saturday, May 25

8 a.m. Seated Breakfast for Seniors and Faculty | Harrison Dining Hall (Seniors & Faculty)
8:45 a.m. Commencement Senior Class Photo | Front Jett Steps (Seniors Only)
9 a.m.  Corporate Communion Service | Langhorne Memorial Chapel (Seniors & Faculty ) 
9:45 a.m. Photo of Alumni Marshals and Their Graduates | Langhorne Memorial Chapel
10 a.m. Seniors, Faculty & Select Staff Line Up | Langhorne Memorial Chapel
10:30 a.m. Commencement Ceremony | Front Lawn (Ceremony will be moved to Van Every in the event of inclement weather) 
 

Following Commencement
By 2 p.m. ALL Domestic Boarding Seniors must be checked out of room with approval by Dorm Head
*Please contact Silvia Gates at sgates@ves.org if you need to make special arrangements

How many guests may we invite? 

For Baccalaureate, you may invite up to four (4) family members/guests.

Tell me what Baccalaureate is.

Baccalaureate is a program of readings, music, prayer and a message from a senior parent the night before Commencement.  This service is held in Langhorne Memorial Chapel. 

When and where is Commencement held?

The 108^th Commencement Exercises will be held on Saturday, May 25. Please plan to be in place by 10 a.m. for the ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Assuming good weather, Commencement is held on the lawn in front of Jett Hall. In the case of inclement weather, Commencement will be held inside Van Every Athletic Center.

When should we arrive for the ceremony?

Parents and guests should plan to arrive at least a half-hour early. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seniors must report promptly at 8 a.m. on the morning of Commencement.

What is the length of the Commencement ceremony?

The ceremony is planned to be approximately 1.5 hours.

Should my senior stay at a hotel during Commencement weekend?

• Domestic boarding seniors are required to stay on dorm Friday night, May 24, but must move off campus by 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, following Commencement Exercises. These students will need to lodge with their parents or a host family on Saturday, May 25.
• International boarding seniors will be allowed to remain on dorm until Monday, May 27, when they must leave campus. Dorms will close at 3 p.m. on May 27.
• Note: Please be aware that no one under the age of 18 may stay in a hotel, AirBnB, or VRBO without an adult.

Are there special arrangements for guests with physical disabilities?

A special drop-off location at VES is available for guests with physical disabilities. Specific requests for assistance may be made through Tabitha Lang, Events Coordinator, at tlang@ves.org or 434.385.3700.

Baccalaureate Dress

For students, classroom dress is the appropriate attire. For family attendees, please wear a coat and tie or dress/dress pants outfit befitting this event.

Commencement Special Dress

• Navy blue blazers, white dress shirts, khaki dress pants, belt, dress shoes, and socks. 
• White dresses or pantsuits, dress shoes, and appropriate accessories. Dress sandals are acceptable, but no casual sandals or flip-flops will be permitted.  

The school gives each graduating senior a tie/bowtie or charm necklace. Please do not forget to wear it for Commencement! 

We ask that those arriving early first fill up the King Center, Tennis Court & Moore Field/ Van Every parking lots.

A special drop-off location is available for guests in the front driveway (enter through the main gate). Specific requests for assistance may be made through Tabitha Lang, Events Coordinator, at tlang@ves.org or 434.385.3700.

View the Commencement Ceremony via Live Stream 

If you or family members are unable to attend and wish to watch via live stream, the URL is www.ves.org/live. Following the May 25 live stream, the recording will be available following the event on YouTube for you to share, as well. We will send you information about how to access the recording the week following graduation.

Rooms are available at The Virginian, The Craddock Terry Hotel, The Lynchburg Grand (formerly the Holiday Inn Downtown, now privately owned and operated), and Courtyard Marriott.

The Virginian Group Code: VESCOM

Book the virginian Here

For additional hotel recommendations and group codes, visit ves.org/about/visiting-ves and click on the Accommodations tab.