Find answers here to many of the more commonly asked questions about Commencement. For additional questions or concerns, please contact EVMS Special Events. Find more details about this year's Commencement.
FAQ
The EVMS Commencement Ceremony is Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. EDT at Norfolk Scope located at 201 E. Brambleton Avenue. Find more details about the Commencement Ceremony.
Limited parking is available in the underground garage below Norfolk Scope or in the Brambleton lot across St. Paul’s Blvd. Parking is a flat fee (cash only) in both locations. The City of Norfolk provides additional parking options near Norfolk Scope. View parking options and fees here.
Norfolk Scope is also easily accessible via light rail. The Monticello Station, servicing this venue, is located in the center of Monticello Avenue near Charlotte Street and Freemason Street in front of the Wells Fargo Center.
While the Commencement Ceremony does not have a guest limit or require tickets, family and friends must register in advance to attend.
You do need to register to attend Commencement. Graduates should follow the Graduate Checklist to ensure they keep on track to meet other deadlines and requirements.
Yes. Graduates should follow the instructions to utilize Name-Coach to record their name. Doing so will provide the Commencement readers the opportunity to hear your recorded names in advance. Please be sure that the name you record matches the name that you submitted to appear in the printed Commencement program and other Commencement-related digital and print materials.
Name recordings must be completed by Friday, March 1, 2024. For questions or more information, please contact EVMS Special Events.
All doctoral hoodings by family members must be individually approved by EVMS according to EVMS administration’s guidelines. View the EVMS Doctoral Hooding Commencement Policy.
Those who are eligible will submit a request for approval through the Commencement registration site. Upon approval, eligible graduates will be contacted with all necessary information about your (and your family member’s) role in the Commencement Ceremony. If you have any questions, please email EVMS Special Events.
Yes, EVMS' Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed on the EVMS home page. Recordings of the ceremony will also be available after the event on a variety of platforms as well as on the EVMS website.
Learn about Garth Graham, MD, MPH, keynote speaker for EVMS' 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
Find suggested guest attire.
Find information about special accommodations for guests.
General admission seating is available to all on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors for general admission will open at 8:45 a.m. Families and guests will not be allowed to enter the Norfolk Scope before that time. “Seat saving” will not be allowed.
Parents of small children will find family restrooms at Gates 3 and 11.
In case of an emergency during Commencement, please remain seated until further instructions are announced. Scope staff will guide guests and graduates to the nearest exit if needed. If medical attention is needed, please seek out a Scope usher or an EVMS police officer who will notify on-site emergency responders.
Read about connecting with your Graduate after the ceremony.
Attendees and graduates may only bring unopened disposable bottles into the venue. Concessions stands will not be open.
Read about the Photo and Video Policy for EVMS Commencement.
Find out how to obtain pictures of your graduate.
Printed programs will be available at the Commencement Ceremony for all guests. Graduates will receive a program at their seat. We will also have a digital version of the program available online. If you would like an additional copy after Commencement Day, please email EVMS Special Events.
EVMS will not require vaccinations or masks to attend EVMS Commencement. However, due to the nature of large gathering, close contact and potential risks, EVMS supports any individual who wishes to wear a mask during the ceremony.
If necessary, EVMS will send an email to all registered guests and participants with any specific requirements in advance of Commencement. To stay up to date, please refer back to this page and check your EVMS email.
Graduates, if you have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, are showing symptoms of COVID-19, have a medical or other emergency and are unable to participate in EVMS Commencement, please notify EVMS Special Events as soon as possible. For last minute or day-of cancellations, please call 757.446.6070 to speak to a live person.
For other guests, if you have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attend EVMS Commencement or other events in person to ensure the health and safety of others. A live stream of the Commencement Ceremony will be available on the EVMS homepage.
Read more about Ceremony Decorum.
Graduates will have the opportunity to order regalia (gowns, caps/tams) online directly from Jostens from late January until Friday, March 1, 2024. For the Class of 2024, the cost of regalia, as well as the direct shipping costs to your home, will be covered by EVMS.
Orders placed after March 1, 2024 may incur rush shipping charges at the expense of the student and are not guaranteed to arrive prior to the Commencement ceremony.
Typically between 2-4 weeks depending on location and order date. Please allow additional time for international orders.
We will have staff onsite to assist graduates. Please be sure to bring all components of your regalia (gown, hood, tassel and mortarboard or tam) to the Exhibition Hall. We highly suggest taking it out of the box and getting it pressed, steamed or at least letting it air out prior to the Ceremony. Find more information about required regalia.
View a quick video for how to properly wear Master's & Doctoral regalia.
Since all of EVMS’ candidates for graduation are masters level and above, tassels should always be worn to the left. The transition of tassel (from right to left) is a tradition used in undergraduate ceremonies.
An honor cord designating military service will be provided to registered participants who indicated military service in their registration prior to the Commencement ceremony. EVMS will provide honor cords and stoles from Alpha Omega Alpha, Delta Omega, Pi Alpha, Gold Humanism Honor Society and Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society to graduating students. Honor cords and stoles will be picked up the morning of Commencement at your program table during check-In. For more information, please contact the faculty advisors for the honor societies.
All students who were deemed eligible for Commencement by the EVMS Registrar and Program Directors will be included in the Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas will only be mailed to students’ addresses after they have successfully completed all the necessary academic requirements.
Find diploma information.
EVMS is pleased to provide its graduates with Certified Electronic Credentials. You will receive an email with a link to download your credentials when it is available from our trusted partner, CeCredentialTrust. Find additional information about Certified Electronic Credentials.
You may order formal, printed announcements and related items through our vendor, Jostens. Additionally, EVMS provides a complimentary digital email invitation/announcement that you may forward to family and friends to notify them of your participation in EVMS’ Commencement.
Special rates are available at several area hotels.
Find information for ordering flowers for your graduate.
The 2024 EVMS Commencement app will keep you informed of Commencement deadlines and important updates. Graduates will receive an email in late April with instructions to download the app.
Students who receive a graduation award will initially receive a PDF award certificate via email. Framed certificates will be assembled and mailed in late April 2024 or presented at various program ceremonies. Certain awards come with stipends, which will be mailed to addresses collected during registration. A staff member will reach out via email with additional information and instructions. Most award winners (selected before April 1) will be acknowledged in the printed Commencement program and in other forms of media related to the Commencement ceremony and promotions.
You may purchase EVMS branded items from the Matthews EVMS Bookstore. The bookstore will be open Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, May 18 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
EVMS Alumni Relations is interested in maintaining an ongoing relationship, following your successes after graduation, and keeping you informed of upcoming events or opportunities to volunteer. Access the online alumni community to personalize your profile, network with alumni, learn about upcoming events and more. If this is your first time logging in to the portal, you will need your Constituent ID. Please email alumni@evms.edu to receive this.
Please contact EVMS Special Events.
View the 2024 Commencement Schedule of Events.
Find more details about this year's Commencement. For questions or additional information, please contact EVMS Special Events.