Old Dominion University will celebrate more than 3,000 students during its 144th Commencement, May 15-16. Here’s everything students, family members and guests need to know.  

The Commencement Ceremony for the 140 graduates of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Chartway Arena. This is the ceremony for the Doctor of Medicine candidates. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Michael Joseph Bono, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), will be the speaker.  

The Advanced Degree Ceremony for graduate students in all colleges and schools, including Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Chartway Arena. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. More than 800 students will be awarded education specialist, master’s and doctoral degrees. The speaker will be Bruce L. Rubin, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Strome College of Business’s Department of Finance.  

The Main Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony honoring the achievements of more than 2,000 students is a single event with two parts on Saturday, May 16. The processional will begin at 9:15 a.m. followed by the formal ceremony start at 9:30 a.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Gates open at 8 a.m. Bryan K. Stephens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber, will be the keynote speaker. 

Immediately following that ceremony, students will move to breakout ceremonies for their individual colleges and schools where they will cross the stage.   

S.B. Ballard Stadium will be the location for the breakout ceremony for the Strome College of Business, the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Sciences. 

Chartway Arena will be the site of the breakout ceremony for the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science.  

Kaufman Mall will be the location for the breakout ceremony for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences and Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University and the Joint School of Public Health at Old Dominion University, in partnership with Norfolk State University. 

Read more about the graduation speakers in this story. 

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

Families and guests: All guests must have a ticket to enter. Tickets are only distributed to qualified graduating students. All children over the age of 2 require a ticket. Children 2 and younger can sit in the lap of a parent or guardian. 

Guests are strongly encouraged 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 along Hampton Boulevard will direct guests to the appropriate entrances. 

Student Parking Instructions and Maps: 

Student parking for Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU, 3 p.m. May 15, at Chartway Arena, is at the Constant Center 43rd Street Garage. ADA and guest parking is available at the Constant Center 43rd and 45th Street Garage.  

Student parking for the Advanced Degree Ceremony, 6 pm. May 15, at Chartway Arena, is in the 43rd Street and Elkhorn Avenue Garage; the 43rd Street and Bluestone Avenue Garage; and the 49th Street Stadium Garage. ADA and guest parking are in the Constant Center 43rd and 45th Street Garage.  

Student parking for the Main Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, 9:30 a.m., May 16, at S.B. Ballard Stadium, is at the 43rd Street and Elkhorn Avenue Garage and the 43rd Street and Bluestone Avenue Garage. ADA parking is at the 49th Street Stadium Garage (levels 1 and 2). Guest parking is at the Constant Center Garage at 43rd and 45th Streets, Lot 1 at WHRO; Lot 43, L.R. Hill Sports Complex; and Lot 42, Whitehurst Hall and Powhatan Avenue. 

Shuttles will run on both days. Click here for more information. 

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. The University 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  

The University 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, strollers and luggage of any kind. 

Watch Live: Visit odu.edu/commencement for livestream information. 

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. 

In addition, the Joint Army and Naval ROTC Commissioning Ceremony and Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Military Commissioning and Recognition Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Chartway Arena. Joint Commissioning Ceremony guests should park in the 45th Street Garage.