Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

How do I order my regalia? 

On behalf of the President, Provost, and the faculty of Shenandoah University, we would like to provide your graduation regalia as our gift to you for recognition of all of your hard work.

Information on ordering regalia will be included in the first email Commencement communication sent out after the graduation application deadline. Emails will be sent to the address provided by the student on their graduation application.

Veterans Cords

The university will honor veteran and active duty faculty, staff, and students by presenting them with a special red, white, and blue honor cord to be worn during the university’s Commencement ceremony. Please email a copy of your active duty orders or DD-214 to the Registrar’s Office at gibill@517b2b.com no later than April 15. Cords can be picked up from the graduate check-in table at the Commencement lineup. Contact the Registrar’s Office at gibill@517b2b.com with questions.

Undergraduate Honor Cords

Honor cords will be given out at the graduate lineup on the day of Commencement

Tickets are FREE, we do not sell guest tickets. 

The Wilkins Athletics and Events Center has limited seating capacity. Tickets have a unique QR code and only ONE person will be admitted per QR code.  

Shenandoah University uses MarchingOrder as our RSVP/ticketing system for our university-wide commencement ceremony. Look for the link to set up your username and password for this system at the bottom of the email “Register (RSVP) for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony and Ticket Access” email sent to the email address you used to apply for graduation.  You must set up an account to RSVP and claim your guest tickets. Remember to save your login information so you can access the system later should you need to. The deadline to register/RSVP is 11:59:59pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024.  You can access your tickets through the day of the ceremony.

• Each graduate will be allotted 6 guest tickets (graduates do not need a ticket)
  • Children 24 months and under do not need a ticket, however, the child must sit on an adult’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests. All children over 24 months are required to have a ticket due to fire code capacity.
• What if I need additional tickets?
  • • Check with a fellow graduate to see if they have any unused tickets they are willing to share with you.
    • If any extra/unclaimed tickets are available after May 6th, an email will be sent to graduates who have submitted their RSVP in the system. You can log back into the system and claim any extras then. *Save your MarchingOrder ID and password.*
• How do I give tickets to my guests? 
  • Print: Tickets can be printed and given to your guests to bring with them or
  • Email: Tickets can also be emailed directly to each guest. Your guest can print their ticket or access them on their smartphone to be scanned upon entry.
  • Each ticket has a unique QR code that can only be scanned once. There is no re-entry into the event.
• What if some of my guests require ADA accommodations?
  • There is a section on the RSVP form where you can provide details about ADA needs for your guests. ADA accommodations must be provided to us before the event to ensure we have appropriate space set aside.
  • Details for ADA parking can be found on our website under the guest tab.