Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony

The spring 2025 Reynolds Commencement Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the VCU Siegel Center.

Commencement Tips 2025

We've got you covered with a comprehensive video for everything you need to have on your radar before and on Commencement Day. Check it out below...

Regalia Now Available for Purchase

Caps, gowns, tassels, stoles and other Commencement items are available from the campus bookstore. Regalia is REQUIRED for graduates to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Online orders should be placed through the Parham Road Bookstore and can ONLY be picked up at the Parham Road location. Shipping is available for an additional $7.99 for ground shipping.

  • Deadline for orders that must be shipped: Monday, May 5.
  • Orders can be picked up at the bookstore until 12pm on Monday, May 12.

The Downtown Bookstore will have regalia available for onsite purchase. All regalia orders are non-returnable. Financial Aid is not allowed to purchase regalia.

Visit the Regalia page for pricing and ordering information.

Special Accommodations for Graduates

If you are requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Student Accommodations (OSA) at OSA@reynolds.edu by May 1. In your email, please note this is a “Graduation Accommodations Request” in your email subject line.

The office may be unable to accommodate requests received after this date. We are unable to make accommodations for guests.

Ceremony will be Available for Online Viewing

For guests who cannot attend in-person, the ceremony will be available to view live online. The link to view the ceremony will be posted the week of the ceremony at go.reynolds.edu/graduation.

What to Expect on Commencement Day

The doors to the VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center will open at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Please plan to arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. to line up for the procession. All guests will be directed into the arena to be seated. You will be directed to Room R144 with the other students. Family and friends will not be permitted to join you in Room R144.

Everyone will line up in numerical order (using the marching number on your card). This is also the card you will present on stage in order for your name to be announced.

Faculty Marshals will organize the graduates within your curriculum for the commencement march and will lead you from Room R144 into the Siegel Center Arena for the ceremony which begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. At the end of the ceremony, the Marshals and graduates will march out of the arena and return to the ground level. Prior to the ceremony be sure to arrange a meeting place with your family and friends.

What to Bring and What Not to Bring

Remember to bring your graduation attire. Ladies, please bring hairpins for your cap. You will need to navigate STEEP stairs. Please consider this when choosing your footwear for the day as the procession moves quickly. Leave all personal belongings (including cell phones and purses) with your guests, as you will not be allowed to carry anything into the Arena. A commencement program will be provided on your seat in the arena. We regret Reynolds cannot take responsibility for any lost or stolen items.

VCU has informed us that you and your guests will not be allowed to bring weapons, balloons, wrapped packages, or gifts into the Siegel Center. Click here to view the complete list of prohibited items. VCU’s Police will be on duty at the entrances to help ensure everyone’s safety.

Parking and Directions

The VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center is located at 1200 West Broad Street. Parking is available in VCU’s parking decks located across the street on the corner of Harrison and Broad Streets and the corner of Bowe and Marshall Streets. Parking is available for $12. Please note, the decks are cashless and ONLY accept credit cards. You and your guests should allow plenty of time for parking.

GRTC Pulse

Another transportation option is to take the GRTC Pulse! The VCU/VUU station is a short walk to the Siegel Center and runs every 10 minutes. For more information, visit the GRTC Pulse website at https://ridegrtc.com/brt/.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to your current address on file in June. Please update your mailing address in SIS if needed by May 1. For questions, please email graduation@reynolds.edu.

Questions?

Continue to monitor your Reynolds email account and the graduation web page for the latest updates. For additional questions, please email graduation@reynolds.edu.

Graduation Guidelines

A curricular student eligible for graduation is required to complete and submit the online application for graduation for each degree, certificate, or career studies certificate program by the deadline for that semester or term. Students applying from more than one plan shall include all plans on the application. If a student files for graduation, but does not graduate, the student must reapply for a later graduation date. Students may graduate after fall, spring or summer terms.

  • Students must earn a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the curriculum.
  • All documentation of training, education, or tests from outside organizations must be submitted by the last day of classes. Incomplete grades must be resolved by the last day of classes. The School Dean must recommend the student, and the Registrar must certify completion.
  • The student must resolve all financial obligations with Reynolds and return all library and college materials.

Graduation Honors

Students who complete A.A., A.S., A.A.S. degrees or certificates are eligible for honors. Career studies certificates are not eligible.

Graduating G.P.A. cumulative:
3.200 Cum laude (with honor)
3.500 Magna cum laude (with high honor)
3.800 Summa cum laude (with highest honor)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?

Students who graduated in Summer or Fall 2024 or who applied for Spring or Summer 2025. Summer students must have no more than 7 credits or 2 classes left. Apply in SIS and fill out the Early Participation Request.

Can I withdraw my graduation application?

No. Once submitted, the degree or certificate will be awarded if requirements are met.

Note: The college reserves the right to graduate students who complete requirements, even without an application.

Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations to all of the graduates!

Photo Specialties will contact graduates with photo proofs. Questions? Email nicole@photospecialties.com or call 919-967-9576.