UVA School of Architecture — Final Exercises 2025
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The University of Virginia’s 196th Final Exercises and the School of Architecture’s Ceremony in honor of our graduating class will be held Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18.
The School of Architecture invites you to join us in celebration —
Valedictory Exercises
Friday May 16, 2025
3:30pm - 5pm
John Paul Jones Arena
Before the Class of 2025 walks down the Lawn at Final Exercises, they will pay tribute to their fellow classmates and their time spent at the University at the Valedictory Exercises ceremony. This unique ceremony includes the presentation of the Class Gift and University and Class Awards as well as a speech from a keynote speaker, who is chosen by the class. This year's keynote speaker is actor and alumnus Jason Winston George ('94), a Virginia Beach native who has starred in television hits like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19". All members of the UVA community, the graduating class, and guests are invited to attend.
Ticketing
Tickets are not required.
Parking
See Parking Section at the bottom of this webpage.
Safety, Policies and Security
All individuals attending the Valedictory Exercises and both Final Exercises ceremonies, including, graduates, faculty, staff, and guests will be subject to security screening, utilizing metal detectors, before entering the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena.
All bags must comply with the University's clear bag guidelines and are subject to search, which may result in entry delays to the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena.
Live Webcast
You can watch the Valedictory ceremony from anywhere via the live steaming webcast. Visit www.virginia.edu/live for additional information.
Additional Ceremonies and Celebrations
Friday May 16, 2025
Various Times and Locations
Additional University-wide ceremonies and celebrations will take place on Friday May 16th including the Multicultural Recognition Ceremony, Joint Commissioning Exercises for Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Candidates, Donning of the Kente Ceremony, and the Fourth-Year Class Party.
School of Architecture Reception
Saturday May 17, 2025
3pm - 4:30pm
Campbell Hall
Join us to kick-off our celebratory weekend with an informal reception in honor of all our graduating students, with light fare, and a showcase of student work. Families and guests are welcome.
Ticketing
Tickets are not required.
Parking
Guests attending the School of Architecture Reception can park free of charge at Culbreth Parking Garage starting no earlier than 2pm on Saturday, May 17. Parking in this lot is reserved for Saturday morning Final Exercises prior to 2pm.
Accessibility Accommodations
There is not a convenient wheelchair or mobility device accessible route from Culbreth Parking Garage to Campbell Hall. Use Bayly Drive (off of Rugby Road) to drop off guests behind the Fralin Museum of Art. From the Fralin Museum of Art parking lot, there is ramp-access to the east side entry of Campbell Hall, and an elevator immediately to your left when entering the building.
University-wide Final Exercises
Sunday May 18, 2025
9am - 11am; Guest entrances open at 7am
The Lawn
Final Exercises include an academic procession of graduates and faculty down the Lawn and the conferral of degrees. The ceremony lasts for approximately 2 hours. This year's Final Exercises speaker is retiring Dean of Students Cedric Rucker. As UVA's Dean of Students, he provided vital support and leadership to the Division of Student Affairs, the entire student body, and the larger UVA community. In addition to his academic and administrative roles, Dean Rucker has been actively involved in numerous professional and civic organizations, demonstrating his commitment to community development and social causes.
All graduating A-School students should plan to arrive by 7:45am at the Northwest Terrace, Rotunda on the Lawn to line up for the Academic Procession.
Assembly Diagram for Graduating Students - Where to Meet
Diagram of the Academic Procession Order and Route
Diagram of Seating Area for Degree Candidates
Location Map of Entrances for Guests
Ticketing
Tickets are required to attend — all tickets will be electronic for Final Exercises 2025. Each graduating student receives six (6) tickets for guest seating on the Lawn for use by family and guests. Degree candidates do not need a ticket to attend Final Exercises but will need to be wearing academic regalia and show their UVA Student ID Card to gain access to the Lawn.
Tickets will be distributed digitally to graduates via the Virginia Athletics ticketing system (Paciolan) by May 6th. Once distributed, graduates can transfer tickets to their guest(s).
Severe-Weather Location
John Paul Jones Arena; If the event moves to John Paul Jones Area due to severe weather, each graduating candidate will receive three (3) tickets for guests. Degree candidates do not need a ticket to attend Final Exercises but will need to be wearing academic regalia and show their UVA Student ID Card to gain access to JPJ Arena.
Announcements regarding the weather plan will be made no later than 5:30am on the morning of Final Exercises.
More details about weather plans.
Parking
See Parking Section at the bottom of this webpage.
Safety, Policies and Security
All individuals attending the Valedictory Exercises and both Final Exercises ceremonies, including, graduates, faculty, staff, and guests will be subject to security screening, utilizing metal detectors, before entering the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena.
All bags must comply with the University's clear bag guidelines and are subject to search, which may result in entry delays to the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena.
Individuals wearing outer garments, such as academic robes or coats, will be requested to open them for visual inspection. To facilitate a smoother entry into the assembly areas, graduates and faculty are encouraged to robe after passing through the security checkpoint.
Accessibility Accommodations
See Accessibility Accommodations at the bottom of this webpage.
Remote (Indoor) Viewing Locations
A live broadcast of Final Exercises will be shown on projection screens with open captioning at various climate-controlled locations across Grounds. Tickets are not required. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are wheelchair accessible. Remote (indoor) viewing locations will open at 7am.
List of all Remote (Indoor) Viewing Locations.
Live Webcast
You can watch the Valedictory ceremony from anywhere via the live steaming webcast. Visit www.virginia.edu/live for additional information.
School of Architecture Ceremony
Sunday May 18, 2025
12pm - 2pm
John Paul Jones Arena
This special ceremony for A-School graduates includes student speakers and individual recognition of each graduate and their academic accomplishments. This year's student speakers are Chase Watts (BSArch '25) and Aislinn Keena (MArch '25). Graduates will be presented with ceremonial scrolls and graduation awards will be announced. Families and guests are welcome.
All graduating A-School students should plan to arrive by 11.20am at John Paul Jones Arena to line up for the School of Architecture ceremony. All graduates and their guests should use the arena's main entrance. Upon entering the arena, degree candidates will be directed to where they need to go to line up for the ceremony and their guests will be directed to the arena's seating.
Ticketing
Tickets are not required.
Parking
See Parking Section at the bottom of this webpage.
Inclement / Severe-Weather Location
The inclement and severe-weather locations are the same — the School of Architecture ceremony will take place at JPJ Arena regardless of weather.
Accessibility Accommodations
John Paul Jones Arena offers ADA compliant seating in the following Lower Level Sections:
106, 108, 109, 110
The following entrances are equipped with ramps:
Doors 4-7 at the main entrance
Doors 32-37 on the southeast side of the arena
Doors 44-45 inside level 2 of the parking garage
ADA parking is available onsite and is on a first come first serve basis.
For more details about other graduation events see the Accessibility Accommodations section at the bottom of this webpage.
Class of 2025 — Request for Photos
A slideshow of photographs will be on display during the School of Architecture Reception at Campbell Hall. We invite all graduating A-School students to share photos of themselves and their peers through this upload link (if you are sharing many images, please upload a zipped folder):
https://virginia.app.box.com/f/6841c670f54b40e993227bc386634de2
Parking
Parking is available during Finals Weekend at John Paul Jones Arena, Scott Stadium, Emmet / Ivy Garage, and Central Grounds Garage.
- Free parking
- Accessible parking available with a disabled parking placard or license plate
- Shuttle Service Available
- Shuttle buses load on Massie Road
- Hours: 7am - 5:30pm
- Inclement weather Hours: 7am - 8pm
- Distance: Approximately a 25-minute walk to the Lawn and a 20-minute walk to Campbell Hall
Emmet / Ivy Garage
- Free parking
- No designated shuttle service
- Distance: Approximately a 10-minute walk to the Lawn and a 15-minute walk to Campbell Hall
Scott Stadium
- Free parking
- No designated shuttle service
- Distance: Approximately a 20-minute walk to the Lawn and a 25-minute walk to Campbell Hall
Central Grounds Garage
- Hourly rate
- Payment via ParkMobile only
- No designated shuttle service
- Distance: Less than 10-minute walk to the Lawn and a 15-minute walk to Campbell Hall
Full Parking Details and Shuttle Schedule
Receive Parking Text Alerts by texting GRADUATION to 434-939-4307.
Accessibility Accommodations
Information about accessible parking and shuttle bus services, wheelchair rentals, accessible restrooms, accessible seating, and seating for guests who wish to use the services of a sign language interpreter is available at the Office of Major Events webpage —
Information on accessibility accommodations.
Find more details at:
https://majorevents.virginia.edu/finals
We look forward to sharing this important milestone with our graduating class!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Saskia Santen (ss9dv@virginia.edu).