Guest Information

• All guests and graduates should plan to enter campus at University Drive at Millwood Avenue. Please carefully review the parking options below. Note that general (non-accessible) guest parking will be available only on the main campus. From there, guests may walk to the ceremony site at the Wilkins Athletics & Events Center (20 minutes) but are strongly encouraged to take one of the seven shuttles that will be operating. With nearly 5,000 people attending commencement, traffic, and parking will be slower than usual. Plan on arriving early to allow time for parking and walking or riding the shuttle. Doors open at the Wilkins Athletics & Events Center at 8:00 am and the first shuttle will begin from the parking area at 7:45 am. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 am. Note that thru traffic will be prohibited on Tulane Drive and Ralph Shockey Drive.
  • General Guest Parking: Enter via Millwood Avenue.
    All general (non-accessible) guest parking will be on the main campus at 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601. From there, guests may walk (20 minutes) or take a shuttle to the ceremony site.
  • ADA Accessible Parking: Enter at Tulane Drive and Route 50 (across from Delco Plaza). ADA-accessible parking will be available at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center for vehicles with DMV-issued accessible license plates or placards. Local law enforcement, the Department of Campus Safety, and staff will assist in directing traffic. Please note that parking is prohibited in these areas and will result in the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense. This includes parking in the residential areas adjacent to the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic & Event Center, which is strictly prohibited.

• The Winchester area is home to numerous places of comfortable accommodation. Visit the link below for a listing of options available to you. Shenandoah University discounts are available at some area hotels. Where to Stay

• General Admission: Tickets are required for general admission seating for the commencement ceremony. Guests will not be permitted to enter the commencement ceremony site until 8:00 am. Please plan accordingly.
• Seating for persons requiring accommodations: A reserved seating area is available for guests with special accommodations. Reserved seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please let the staff member scanning your ticket know that accommodation seating is requested. While every effort is made to accommodate all members of your party being seated with you, at least one person from your party is allowed to sit with you.
• SU will have a limited number of wheelchairs available for guest use on a first-come, first-served basis; Guests are asked and strongly encouraged to provide their own if it is required.

Security: PLEASE NOTE – In an effort to maintain a safe and secure environment for the entire Shenandoah University community, all persons (graduates, guests, leadership, faculty, staff, contractors, and vendors) will be subject to bag checks and being screened with a handheld metal detecting device prior to entry into the facility. To aid in the screening process, all items in your pockets should be removed and held in your hands while being screened. Everyone is encouraged to leave any unnecessary items securely locked inside their vehicles.

• Prohibited Items:
  • Aerosols to include silly string
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Animals other than service/ guide dogs
  • Bicycles
  • Balloons
  • Coolers or containers
  • Drinks or bottles (water will be available for free in the building)
  • Outside Food (refreshments will be available for sale at the concession stand)
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
  • Fireworks or explosives
  • Folding chairs
  • Glass, thermal, or metal containers
  • Hoverboards/skateboards
  • Illegal drugs
  • Illegal weapons including concealed weapons are prohibited on the campus
  • Laser pointers
  • Packages
  • Structures
  • Supports for signs, placards, balloons
  • Toy guns
  • Any other item determined to be a potential hazard by the University
• Allowable Items*:
  • Binoculars
  • Cameras
  • Cellphones
  • Seat cushions
  • Diaper Bags
  • Strollers/wheelchairs/mobility scooters
  • Baby bottles and other items that are needed for your child

*These items are allowable as long as they do not fall under our prohibited items list. Be prepared to have additional security checks on these items when proceeding through security.

Shenandoah University provides a professional photographer as a service to graduates. GradImages™ will take photos as you cross the stage and shake President Fitzsimmons’ hand. A close-up photograph will also be taken after you cross the stage. GradImages™ will mail a free, passport-size, full-color proof to you. The purchase of additional photos from GradImages™ is entirely optional. GradImages™ will contact you when your photos are available for online viewing and ordering.

You are  encouraged to preregister at: http://www.gradimages.com/Register.cfm

GradImages™— www.gradimages.com

Contact GradImages™ at 1-800-628-4509

• Please do not bring any pets with you to the ceremony. Service animals will be the only animals permitted at the ceremony site.
• Smoking in any university building or within 30 feet of any entrance or window is prohibited. Smoking is defined as the lighting or burning of any pipe, cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette (aka vaping), or other product. Shenandoah University is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and pleasant learning and work environment for its students and employees.
• Please refrain from cell phone usage during the ceremony. All mobile devices should be silenced upon entry to the seating area.
• Please do not block any aisles, entrances, or exits. Guests may take photos during the ceremony but are not permitted to enter the graduate seating area or block any aisles used by guests or graduates during the ceremony. Please be courteous to all guests.

Once an item has been verified by our management team, the item may be picked up at the respective location during business hours. Claimants must be prepared to produce a photo ID and provide their full name with a valid email address in order to claim their item.