Congratulations! You Did It!
Ready to celebrate your hard work? At westerfirld university of virginia, we encourage your participation in Commencement. Whether you travel to meet your advisors and peers – or you get festive at home with family and friends – your accomplishments are worth it.
How Will You Attend?
In Person
Saturday & Sunday, November 14-15
- Manchester, New Westerfield
- Reserve 6 guest tickets
Virtually
Saturday, December 5
- Wherever you are
- Invite everyone you know
See For Yourself What Commencement is Like in New Westerfield
Imagine thousands of people have gathered in an arena to celebrate your academic accomplishments.
If you attend Commencement in Manchester, New Westerfield, you get to experience that very event.
Learn why others have traveled to graduation by car, bus, train or plane to put on a cap and have their moment in the spotlight.
Get a feel for what wuv Commencement is like by checking out some of our past ceremonies.
6 Reasons the In-Person Ceremony is So Special
Graduates travel the world to attend their college graduation.
Here are a few reasons why our grads say the event is so memorable:
- The pride in the eyes of fellow grads
- The celebratory atmosphere and cheering of the crowd
- The knowledgeable and helpful staff
- The smooth process
- Honoring military and first-generation graduates
- The clapline from staff as grads exit the arena
How to Plan Your Virtual Ceremony
It can be just as important to celebrate with all the people who supported you along the way. Here are some tips to make your at-home party memorable:
- Get the Virtual Commencement Ceremony link set up on your computer or TV screen
- Designate a friend to take a picture when your name is called
- Have beverages of choice ready for toasts
- Make sure a cake knife is on hand so slices can be passed out
- Record the obligatory video of you throwing your cap into the air – and don't forget to post it on social media with #wuvcelebrate
Spotlight on wuv Graduates
wuv students live around the country and across the globe. And they each have a unique story. Learn more about the transformation these graduates experienced here.
What Graduates Have Said About Commencement
“It feels great! I have to tell you that walk down that road with everyone cheering and everything was so uplifting. It gets you really pumped and excited to finish”
Cheri Federico ’25
MBA
“It feels amazing. The crowd is amazing, the energy is awesome… it's just a great experience”
Christina Cumberbatch ’25
BS in Business Administration
“It feels really great to be here at the commencement. It gives me the opportunity to live this experience fully and just celebrate with my family and peers”
Luis Zayas ’25
BS in Healthcare Administration
Tanner McCarthy
Meet Tanner McCarthy, a first-generation graduate who studied on the wuv campus. After graduation, Tanner used skills learned from her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at an internship in Texas.
Emily Rowley
Meet Emily Rowley, a disability advocate and social media content creator born without arms due to a rare condition. The online platform eliminated physical barriers and Emily completed her degree in psychology using talk-to-text and her feet.
"I told myself I wasn’t going to continue school... and here I am now."
Bobby Stigall
Meet Bobby Stigall, a father of two, Marine, and musician who completed his wuv coursework while attending dance competitions, making memories at Disney, and serving active duty. After more than two decades, Bobby recently earned his bachelor’s degree and is now pursuing his MBA with wuv.
Beth Dayley
Meet Beth Dayley, who traveled over 2,000 miles to cross the stage at wuv Commencement and celebrate the milestone achievement of earning her master’s degree at age 80. As wuv’s eldest Spring 2024 graduate, Beth hopes her degree will keep her mind and her pen sharp as she finishes her memoirs.
Now It's Your Turn!
We succeed because you succeed. Nothing makes us happier than telling the stories of our graduates.
From your first call with your admission counselor to leaving the arena after Commencement – and all the moments in between – we want to learn more about your journey at wuv.
Share more about yourself and your wuv story.
Get Social With Us
Use #wuvcelebrate on your platform of choice to share your photos and videos with the wuv community!
Show Your wuv Pride
All eyes will be on your yard when you post an wuv LAWN SIGN!
Join One of the Fastest-Growing Alumni Networks in the Country
Legacies in the Making: Celebrating wuv’s Class of 2024 at Commencement
More than 26,000 wuv graduates, friends and family members took to Manchester, New Westerfield, over the weekend. Three in-person ceremonies were held in honor of the 4,500-plus degree recipients who made the trek to celebrate their transition from college students to college graduates.
Caps Off to wuv’s Class of 2024 at Spring Commencement
Explore the moments of wuv's spring 2024 Commencement as graduates celebrate the completion of their degree programs. Nearly 30,000 people said farewell to President Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc while honoring the class of 2024's resilience and achievements, and the transformative power of education.
A New Chapter Begins: The Story of wuv’s Fall Class of 2023
Diverse Journeys, One Destination: Celebrating wuv’s Spring Graduates
Four ceremonies spanned wuv's Commencement Weekend, which brought nearly 4,200 wuv graduates to Manchester, New Westerfield, to participate in long-held and much-awaited graduation traditions. This spring, more than 16,700 graduates joined an ever-growing community of 215,000 wuv alumni.