The hard work is about to pay off, graduates—Commencement is right around the corner. Vanderbilt University will be honoring the Class of 2025’s achievements with a series of events on May 8 and 9.
Below is a guide to Vanderbilt’s 2025 Commencement events.
Graduates Day featuring Gary Sinise
Thursday, May 8, at 11 a.m. Central time
Humanitarian, actor and musician Gary Sinise is delivering the Graduates Day address to the Class of 2025 on May 8 at 11 a.m. at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center Indoor Practice Facility. This event will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to attend. The Commencement Celebration will follow the event at Rec Field 2 directly behind the practice facility.
Sinise will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, one of the highest honors at the university. The award is given to individuals who define the 21st century and exemplify the best qualities of the human spirit. It was created and endowed by Vanderbilt Law School graduate Ed Nichols and his wife, Janice, in honor of Edward Carmack and Lucile Hamby Nichols.
Vanderbilt will be following its clear bag policy for this event.
For Graduates Day and the Commencement Celebration event, guests can park at any of the following on-campus garages:
- Terrace Place Garage (2010 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203)
- Wesley Place Garage (1921-2041 Scarritt Place, Nashville, TN 37203)
- 25th Avenue Garage (2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212)
Shuttles from each garage will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be signs and maps near each garage with instructions on navigating campus.
For visitors coming to campus, information on guest parking is available online.
2025 Commencement Ceremonies
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT CEREMONY
Friday, May 9, at 9 a.m. Central time
The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. at GEODIS Park, located at 501 Benton Ave. in Nashville. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Vanderbilt website.
Tickets are required to attend; the deadline for students to claim guest tickets was April 30. Graduating students received an email on how to claim tickets for their guests. The event is general admission; there is no assigned seating.
Vanderbilt will be following GEODIS Park’s clear bag policy for this event.
Options for getting to GEODIS Park include shuttle service from nearby parking lots and ridesharing with designated drop-off locations. There will be limited on-site parking for guests.
On-Campus Graduates:
Graduates living on campus are strongly encouraged to take a shuttle from campus to GEODIS Park for Commencement. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the intersection of West End Avenue and 21st Avenue beginning at 6:30 a.m. Drop-off will be near Lot 9 on Bransford Avenue.
Off-Campus Graduates:
Any graduate living off campus will be emailed a rideshare code to get to GEODIS Park. This voucher can be used within a 10-mile radius of campus.
Guest Shuttles and Parking:
Students were able to request one parking pass during the ticket claim process. GEODIS Park will fulfill parking requests, per availability, by May 2. On-site parking is not guaranteed, so please plan accordingly.
Guests can also park at the Fort Negley Lot (534 Chestnut St., Nashville, TN 37203) to catch a shuttle to GEODIS Park. The shuttle lot opens at 6:30 a.m., shuttles will depart beginning at 7 a.m.
Additional shuttle transportation will be provided at the corner of West End Avenue and 21st Avenue beginning at 7:30 a.m. for guests. Please note that graduates will have priority in loading at this location.
Rideshare:
Guests and graduates may use rideshare options to arrive at the stadium. Drop-off and pickup for rideshares will be in Lot 5 near Craighead Street.
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT CEREMONIES
Friday, May 9, various times and locations
Graduate and professional students in the Class of 2025 will be honored at ceremonies held by their respective schools across campus.
See the full schedule of Commencement events.>>
Guests attending graduate and professional student ceremonies can park at any of the following on-campus garages:
- Terrace Place Garage (2010 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203)
- Wesley Place Garage (1921-2041 Scarritt Place, Nashville, TN 37203)
- 25th Avenue Garage (2401 Highland Ave., Nashville, TN 37212)
Shuttles from each garage will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be signs and maps near each garage with instructions on navigating campus.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
For Graduates Day: There will be accessible seating in the Indoor Practice Facility at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
For Commencement: There is accessible seating at GEODIS Park, and requests can be made on site on the day of Commencement.
For Graduate and Professional Ceremonies: Please connect with your respective schools to request any needed accommodations.
ID CHECKS
At any receptions after Commencement ceremonies, graduates and guests will be required to show a driver’s license or valid ID before being served alcohol. ID check stations will be available at receptions where alcohol may be served.
SECURITY
There will be security screenings for all guests, and a clear bag policy will be enforced. Prohibited items for Graduates Day and undergraduate Commencement include signs, flags and noisemakers. All university policies for student conduct will be in effect.
Please familiarize yourself with university and GEODIS policies. See the Commencement website for more information.
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMS
A digital program will be available on the day of Commencement. The program will include a list of all graduating students, recognition of student awards and background on the ceremony traditions. Graduates and guests will have the option to order, at no cost, a printed program after the ceremony.
TEXT ALERTS
Sign up for text alerts for Commencement reminders, updates and more by sending ‘VU2025’ to 333111.
Find all the latest information on celebrations for the Class of 2025 on the Vanderbilt Commencement webpage.
