Schedule of Events

Commencement Schedule

Graduates Day – Thursday, May 8

11 a.m. at the Indoor Practice Facility within the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center

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Humanitarian, actor and musician Gary Sinise will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal when he speaks at the university’s 2025 Commencement activities. Sinise’s Graduates Day address will be on May 8 at 11 a.m. at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center Indoor Practice Facility.
Vanderbilt will be following its clear bag policy for this event.

Commencement Celebration – Thursday, May 8

Noon to 3 p.m. at Sports Club Field (Rec Field 2)

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The Commencement Celebration will be Thursday, May 8, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Rec Field 2. This event will include a live band, refreshments and champagne to toast the Class of 2025. The celebration is open to both graduating seniors and graduate and professional student graduates and their guests. Attendees are also able to come and go during the timeframe. Adults 21 and up must have their I.D. to receive an alcoholic beverage.
Commencement Celebration menu

Undergraduate Commencement – Friday, May 9

9 a.m. at GEODIS Park

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Vanderbilt University’s undergraduate Class of 2025 will have a familiar backdrop for their May 9 Commencement ceremony: GEODIS Park, home of the Nashville Soccer Club. GEODIS Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada—and it’s only four miles from campus.
The ceremony, which will be held rain or shine, begins at 9 a.m. Interactive activities will be set up inside and around the outside of the stadium to provide students and their guests with things to do before and after the ceremony. The ceremony at GEODIS Park will be a ticketed event.
This year expanded parking and transportation options will be available in addition to the student shuttle service provided from campus.
Vanderbilt will be following GEODIS Park's clear bag policy for this event.

Diploma Ceremonies – Friday, May 9

Undergraduate Commencement

Vanderbilt University’s undergraduate Class of 2025 will have a familiar backdrop for their May 9 Commencement ceremony: GEODIS Park, home of the Nashville Soccer Club. GEODIS Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada—and it’s only four miles from campus.
The ceremony, which will be held rain or shine, begins at 9 a.m. Interactive activities will be set up inside and around the outside of the stadium to provide students and their guests with things to do before and after the ceremony. The ceremony at GEODIS Park will be a ticketed event.
Divinity School’s Act of Worship and Diploma Ceremony

Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Vanderbilt University Benton Chapel
The Divinity School's Act of Worship will include the awarding of diplomas and will be followed by a reception honoring the Divinity School's Class of 2025.
Graduate School Commencement

Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9
Location: Alumni Hall
The Graduate School Diploma Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 9 at 11 a.m. on Alumni Hall Lawn. The ceremony will take approximately 2 hours and be followed by a reception for graduates and their families.
Graduates from May 13, 2024, to May 2025 are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony on May 9, 2025. You will receive email messages from both the University Registrar and the Graduate School about confirming your attendance and other important information. Messages will be sent to your permanent (non-VU) email address as specified on your intent to graduate form. Please reply to all messages when requested. The Graduate School will continue to contact graduates until we receive a response.
All Graduate School graduates will receive their diplomas and Ph.D. graduates will be hooded at the Diploma Ceremony.
Law School Hooding Ceremony

Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Curry Field
Vanderbilt will celebrate Commencement for the J.D., LL.M., and MLS Classes of 2025 on May 9, 2025. Students and guests can find more information on the Vanderbilt Law School Commencement website.
Owen Graduate School of Management Diploma Ceremony

Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9
Location: Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center Field House
Graduates will be line up at 10:30 a.m.
School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony
Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Langford Auditorium
Diploma Ceremony for the following programs in the School of Medicine:
- Doctor of Medicine
- Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Master of Public Health
- Doctor of Audiology
- Master of Education of the Deaf
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Master of Science in Medical Physics
- Doctorate in Medical Physics Master of Genetic Counseling Master of Imaging Science
Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony – Master’s Students

Event Details
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Peabody Esplanade
Students must be checked in on Peabody Lawn by 10:30 a.m.
School of Nursing Investiture of the Academic Hood Ceremony

Event Details
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Magnolia Lawn
All graduates taking part in the investiture ceremony must wear Vanderbilt’s newly designed regalia (cap and gown) to participate. Immediately after the ceremony, graduates and guests are invited to a reception on Magnolia Lawn. The maximum number of guests for each graduate is 10 guests. Graduates are required to RSVP in advance through an email invitation sent to their Vanderbilt email address from the VUSN Office of Student Affairs.
Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony –  Ed.D. Students

Event Details
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Peabody Esplanade
Students must be checked-in on Peabody Lawn by 2:30 p.m.

Additional Events

April 2025

Next Steps Senior Celebration

Event Details
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Location: Wyatt Rotunda
Join Next Steps in celebration of the graduating seniors. A celebratory ceremony will honor each student and a reception will follow.
Registration is required. RSVP at this link.

May 2025

Lavender Graduation Recognition

Event Details
Time: 5 p.m.  
Date: May 2, 2025 
Location: Alumni Hall 202, Memorial Hall 
RSVP using this form by Friday, April 4. 
Email lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu for more information.
Graduation Recognition for Student Center for Belonging and Communities

Event Details
Time: 6 p.m. 
Date: Wednesday, May 7 
Location: Langford Auditorium  
RSVP using this form by Monday, March 31. 
Email scbc@vanderbilt.edu for more information
  
Vanderbilt Athletics Reception

Event Details:
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Date: Thursday, May 8
Location: Indoor Practice Facility at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center
Owen Graduate School of Management Commencement Reception

Event Details
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: May 8, 2025
Location: Owen Lobby and Great Room
This Commencement Reception takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. and is for all graduating MBA, MAcc, MSF and MMark students and their guests.
Posse Graduation Celebration

Event Details
Time: 4:30 p.m. 
Date: Thursday, May 8 
Location: Carmichael Multipurpose Room 
Email jeremi.london@vanderbilt.edu for more information. 
Black Graduates’ Recognition

Event Details
Time: 7 p.m. 
Date: May 8, 2025 
Location: Langford Auditorium 
Contact the Black Cultural Center for more information. 
Graduates School Bubbly & Berries Reception

Event Details
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Alumni Lawn
Following the Graduate School Diploma Ceremony, the Bubbly & Berries reception (fruit and champagne) will be served in the adjacent tent for all graduating students and their guests over the age of 21. ID check is required for all guests.

May 2025

Athletics Commencement

Event Details:
Time: 9 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Location: Turner Hall at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music