The 201st Commencement of Virginia Theological Seminary will take place at Immanuel Chapel on Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m.
Information for Participants and Guests
Commencement will be on Thursday, May 9, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Chapel on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary. The Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed here.
Master’s-level graduating students are required to attend the Commencement rehearsal on Monday, May 6, at 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Chapel. Doctoral graduating students are welcome to attend as well.
Tickets
Graduating students are given four tickets each for Commencement. Children require their own ticket if they are taking up a seat but not if they are sitting on someone’s lap.
Doors to the chapel open at 9:00 a.m. for guests with tickets. All guests with tickets should enter Immanuel Chapel by 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, to ensure they have a seat.
After 9:50 a.m., the entrance to the chapel will be opened to guests without tickets until all seats are filled.
There will be overflow space in the Addison Academic Center displaying the livestream for additional guests to watch the ceremony on campus.
Commencement Reception
Following the Commencement ceremony, there will be a reception hosted at Coffield Refectory and Patio.
Parking
Parking for guests is available at:
· Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304
· Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304
Golf carts will be available to help those who need assistance get from the parking lot to Immanuel Chapel.
All entrances to the Seminary campus will be closed off on the morning of Commencement, and only those with a valid parking permit will be able to enter.
If you need accessible parking, please contact Caryn Cabaniss at ccabaniss@vts.edu or 703-461-1722.
Photographs
Commencement occurs in the context of Morning Prayer. Accordingly, taking photographs or videos is not permitted during the Commencement Service or the Commencement Address.
Family members and friends are permitted to take photographs of graduates when the degrees are being awarded, but please remain in your seat.
The Seminary’s official photographers will be taking photographs, and these pictures will be available on the Commencement 2024 page of the VTS website around two weeks after the ceremony.
Service for the Mission of the Church
The Service for the Mission of the Church will be held on Wednesday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m. at Immanuel Chapel. During this service we pray for the mission of the Church and bless the class crosses. This service is optional for students and will not be livestreamed. Family and friends are welcome to attend, and no tickets are required. Parking is available on campus for this service.