By Jonah Grinkewitz

It’s graduation week at ODU. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a student, family member or guest.

Advanced Degree Ceremony, 6 p.m. on Friday, May 3 at Chartway Arena: More than 600 education specialists, master’s and doctoral degrees will be awarded to participating graduates in a 6 p.m. ceremony on May 3 at Chartway Arena. Lawrence “Larry” Weinstein, Eminent Scholar and professor in ODU’s Physics Department, will be the featured speaker.

Undergraduate Ceremony, 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 at S.B. Ballard Stadium: Approximately 2,000 students across all colleges and schools will be formally recognized at an outdoor ceremony scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on May 4 at Kornblau Field in S.B. Ballard Stadium. Capt. Janet H. Days ‘99, commanding officer for Naval Station Norfolk, will be the featured speaker.

You can read more about the graduation speakers in this story.

Student information:

There is no rehearsal for the ceremony. Information on reporting location and time and student information and instructions were emailed to all participants.

For the ceremony in Chartway Arena: Students earning advanced degrees should park in the 49th Street Stadium Garage or 43rd and Bluestone Avenue Garage. Students who utilize a DMV accessibility placard may park on the first level.

For the ceremony in S.B. Ballard Stadium: Students earning bachelor’s degrees should park in the 43rd and Elkhorn and 43rd and Bluestone Parking Garages. Students who use a DMV accessibility placard may use the Stadium Garage.

Families and guests:

Guests should plan to arrive 60 minutes prior to the ceremony. Signage on Hampton Boulevard in front of the campus will direct you to the appropriate entrances. Please familiarize yourself with the campus parking map ahead of time. If you are attending the Saturday ceremony, please plan to arrive early due to an expected high volume of traffic on Hampton Blvd between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

ODU has implemented a clear bag policy at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Guests can bring one clear bag and one small bag per person. Clear bags approved for entry: A clear tote (12x6x12) or a one-gallon, clear plastic storage bag. Small bags (6.5x4.5") and wallets are allowed. Guests for the Chartway Arena ceremony will be subject to bag checks. The following items are prohibited: noise makers, confetti, balloons, inflatables, wrapped packages, placards/signs and backpacks.

All guests must have a ticket to enter the venues. Tickets are only distributed to qualified graduating students. All children over the age of 2 require a ticket. Children 2 and younger are not required to have a ticket if they can sit in the lap of a parent or guardian.

Auxiliary viewing will be provided on a first come, first served basis to guests without tickets at the Chartway Arena ceremony on May 3. There is no auxiliary seating available for the S.B. Ballard Stadium ceremony on May 4, but both ceremonies will be livestreamed on the University’s commencement page where you can also find more information about the Undergraduate and Advanced Degree ceremonies.

Other graduation week events:

  • Joint ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, 9 a.m. on May 2 at Chartway Arena.
  • Advanced Degree Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. on May 2 in the Priority Automotive Club at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
  • Senior Brunch, 10 a.m. on May 3 in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena.

Additionally, graduating students can participate in the Senior Class Challenge, a fundraising initiative designed to provide a scholarship to assist students who would not be able to complete their ODU degree due to financial constraints. The gifts will go directly to the ODU Student Concordia Award, an endowed scholarship created by University Advancement. You can find more information on the scholarship website.