Instructions to Graduates

Graduates need to arrive by 10:30 a.m. Please check-in at the table located in the Langford Lobby when you arrive.

Guests will need a ticket for entry. Each graduate is alloted six tickets. We ask that you work with fellow students to obtain additional tickets; in extenuating circumstances, please reach out to the Student Affairs office.

“What if I have a friend who is only bringing two guests, can I have their tickets for my guests?”

If you wish to trade tickets with a fellow graduate, you are welcome to do so.

You will be seated alphabetically within your specialty/program as this is the order you will be called up.

If you are bringing minor age children, please make plans for your children to be seated with another adult in the audience seating. Minor age children will not be permitted to sit with you during the ceremony, as to not disrupt the graduate line-up order.

If you have a nurse family member who intends to pin you, please ensure that the family member makes themselves known at the check-in table upon their arrival. The nurse family member will be seated at the front of the auditorium. Only the nurse family member may be permitted to sit in the front designated seating; therefore, minor age children and other guests should plan to sit elsewhere in the audience seating. If your nurse family member does not check in upon their arrival, you will be pinned by your program/academic director.

You should not wear academic regalia or honor cords. We recommend business attire for graduates and suggest not wearing any spaghetti straps, strapless shirts/dresses, or high-necked blouses as they could interfere with the placement of the pin.

You will be pinned by your program/academic director, unless you have arranged for a nurse family member to pin you.

The ceremony is expected to last for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Grad Images will take photographs during the ceremony that will be available for purchase.

The ceremony will be livestreamed. Please monitor this webpage for the livestream link.

Graduates or guests with mobility needs should find a member of VUSN staff to escort them to the accessible seating area.

Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the VUSN atrium. There will be a VUSN photo banner available for photography opportunities. 

At the entrance to Langford Auditorium, attendees will go through metal detectors and may have their bags searched. This is standard policy for VUMC event spaces. Because of this, please allow extra time for arrival ahead of the ceremony.  

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Feylyn Lewis.