2023 Darden Graduation Ceremony

Academic Regalia Ceremony

Current Students - 2024 Darden Final Exercises

2024 Darden Final Exercises

Congratulations to the Darden Graduating Class of 2024! The Darden Academic Regalia Ceremony will be held on Saturday, 18 May 2024.

Graduation Weekend begins Friday, 17 May – Sunday, 19 May. For a complete schedule, please see the UVA Schedule of Events.

The UVA Major Events page provides the most current information regarding the 19 May event, including answers to frequently asked questions.



Schedule of Events

 

Saturday, 18 May 2024: Darden Academic Regalia Ceremony

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Followed by the All Darden Sherwood Frey Picnic from 12:30 - 2:30 PM.

 

Sunday, 19 May 2024: The Lawn Ceremony

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Please inform guests of UVA's Clear Bag Policy



Helpful Information

An Information Session will be held in the Abbott Auditorium on 26 March 2024 from 1:30 - 2:30 PM for all graduating students.

  • All Darden Sherwood Frey Graduation Picnic FAST FACTS

    Why?

    • We want to honor and celebrate your tremendous accomplishment as a graduate of Darden and provide an opportunity for you and your guests to enjoy a meal together.

    What?

    • A combined Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA celebratory graduation picnic named in honor of Professor Emeritus, Sherwood C Frey, Jr.

    When?

    • Saturday, 18 May 2024, 12:30 - 2:30 PM following the Academic Regalia Ceremony.

    Where?

    • Fairweather: Under the tents on the Darden Grounds Faculty Lot Field (grassy area near the North Grounds Recreation Center) and all public areas on Darden Grounds.
    • Inclement weather: Please review the Inclement or Severe Weather Plan Tab.

    Who?

    • All graduates and their friends and family attending the Academic Regalia Ceremony are welcome to join.

    Hospitality?

    • Self-serve, grab ‘n go boxed lunches (including a meat box, a vegan box, and a GF meat box) will be provided. Packaging will be 100% compostable
    • Each of-age guest will receive two complimentary beer/wine drink tickets and there will not be an opportunity to purchase additional alcohol on their own in accordance with UVA alcohol policies
    • Nonalcoholic beverage dispensers with water, tea, and lemonade and compostable cups will be available
      • In support of Darden’s sustainability goals, we encourage you to bring your own refillable cup/bottle.
    • Stationed dessert tables will be available under the tents.
    • An atmosphere of celebration with music and kid-friendly entertainers.

    How?

    • Post Ceremony: Students will be invited to take a group photo on the steps of Saunders Hall, and guests will be invited to the adjacent Classroom Building to collect their boxed lunch.
      • Seating is limited under the tents. Guests are also welcome to enjoy lunch in any public space at the school. You may also bring a picnic blanket to enjoy your lunch on the Faculty Lot Field.
  • Seating and Tickets

    Each Graduate is allowed one(1) D10 Garage Parking Pass (D1 lot available for overflow) for graduation weekend, and six(6) Tickets for the Lawn Ceremony.

    Lawn Ceremony - Seating is available for Graduates and six(6) Guests. 

    • Only Guests with UVA Lawn Ceremony tickets will be permitted on The Lawn.
    • Guests without tickets will be directed to remote viewing sites (please see the Remote Viewing tab).
    • Please inform guests of UVA's Clear Bag Policy.

    * Please refer to the Inclement or Severe Weather Plan tab for potential changes to location, seating, and tickets.

    Darden Academic Regalia Ceremony - No tickets are required for the Flagler Court Ceremony

    * Please refer to the Inclement or Severe Weather Plan tab for potential changes to location, seating, and tickets.

    Full-time MBA Caps and Gowns will be distributed in mailboxes located in front of the Office of Student Affairs. The distribution date is TBD.

    Executive MBA Caps and Gowns will be distributed during LR2.

    There are no extra Parking Passes or Tickets available. If you do not need your Parking Pass or Tickets consider offering them to one of your peers.

    Ticket and Parking Pass Distribution Information  -  Tickets and Parking Passes for the Residential Program will be available for pick up  Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17 during the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM each day at the Student Information Desk outside the Office of Student Affairs.

    If you are unable to pick up your tickets please contact [email protected] for arrangements.

  • Inclement or Severe Weather Plan

    Lawn Ceremony(Sunday, May 19): In the case of inclement or severe weather, The Lawn Ceremony will be moved to the John Paul Jones Arena. Three(3) of the six(6) tickets you receive for the Lawn Ceremony can be used if the ceremony is moved to JPJ.

    Darden Academic Regalia Ceremony(Saturday, May 18): In the case of inclement or severe weather, this ceremony will be moved to The Forum Hotel Ballroom and will be for graduates only. All Darden locations will be available for guests to view the ceremony remotely.

    All Darden Sherwood Frey Graduation Picnic(Saturday, May 18): In the case of inclement or severe weather, all activities will be moved to Saunders Hall and all public areas and classrooms will be available for seating.

  • Services for Persons With Disabilities

    Contact Rachel Dudzik at [email protected], prior to Final Exercises if disability accommodations are needed.

    Please note that all busses to The Lawn are ADA accessible. For information related to The Lawn Ceremony and accessibility, please visit the UVA Finals website.

  • Remote and Online Viewing Options

    The ceremonies may be viewed live at Darden in classrooms, in the Abbott Lounge, and online via this page during the event, our YouTube channel or via Zoom meeting (link to be provided at a later date). 

     

  • Programs

    UVA Programs will be available at the Lawn, and Darden Programs will be available before the ceremony begins. 

  • Photos

    A photographer will photograph each graduate during the ceremony and will take a Class of 2024 photo in front of Saunders Hall afterward.

    Information on ordering prints will be emailed by Grad Images to Graduates once the photos are ready.

Kudoboard

Kudos, Graduates!

View a special Kudoboard on which family, friends, and the Darden community can leave well wishes, words of encouragement, and photos for the Class of 2024.