Commencement Information

Each graduating student has been given four tickets to the Commencement ceremony. No additional tickets will be given out to graduates. All guests with tickets should enter Immanuel Chapel by 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, to ensure a seat. After 9:50 a.m., the entrance to the chapel will be opened to all until all seats are filled.

Any individual that will be taking up their own seat is required to enter with a ticket. If a child will be sitting on an individual’s lap, they do not need a ticket.

COVID guidance at Commencement will follow CDC and Alexandria Health Department guidelines. Social distancing will not be enforced in Immanuel Chapel.

Yes! The Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed! The stream will be found on the Seminary’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Doors to the chapel will open at 9:00 a.m. for all guests with tickets. Guests without tickets will not be able to enter the chapel to find an open seat until 9:50 a.m.

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 

For those who need assistance getting from the parking lot to the Seminary campus, golf carts will be available to drop people off at Immanuel Chapel.  

All entrances to the Seminary campus will be closed off on the morning of Commencement, and only staff, faculty, and students will be able to enter with a valid parking permit. If accessible parking is needed, please contact Elly Hahn at ehahn@vts.edu or 703-461-1722.  

Graduating students are required to attend the Commencement rehearsal on Monday, May 9, at 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Chapel.

Following the Commencement ceremony, there will be a reception hosted at Coffield Refectory and Patio.

Commencement occurs in the context of Morning Prayer. Accordingly, taking photographs and/or videotaping is not permitted during the Commencement Service or the Commencement Address.  

The official Seminary photographers may be taking photographs at appropriate, pre-arranged times and places. Family members and friends will be permitted to take photographs of graduates as the degrees are awarded, but not moving from one’s seat. Once the liturgy is ended, there are no restrictions on taking photographs.   

For those that want to be present on campus for the celebrations, there will be overflow space in Addison Academic Center which will be displaying the live stream.

Yes! The Flamingo, VTS’ on-campus coffee shop, will be open on the morning of Commencement.