The hard work is about to pay off, graduates—Commencement is right around the corner. Vanderbilt University will honor the Class of 2026 and their achievements with a series of events on May 7 and 8.
Below is a guide to Vanderbilt’s 2026 Commencement events.
Graduates Day featuring Arthur C. Brooks
Thursday, May 7, at 11 a.m. Central time
Internationally acclaimed scholar, bestselling author and happiness researcher Arthur C. Brooks delivers the Graduates Day address to the Class of 2026 on May 7 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Gym. This event will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to attend. The Commencement Celebration will follow the event at the Indoor Practice Facility at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
Brooks 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.
It was also recently announced that Brooks will join the faculty at Vanderbilt, serving as an endowed professor in the Department of Medicine, Health and Society in the College of Arts and Science beginning July 1.
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)
- West Garage (2400 Children’s Way, Nashville, TN 37212)
*A shuttle will run periodically from these garages to Memorial Gym pre-event, then will pick up from Memorial Gym and the Indoor Practice Facility after Graduates Day and the Commencement Celebration, returning to these garages.
There will be signs and maps near each garage with instructions on navigating campus.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT CEREMONY
Friday, May 8, at 9 a.m. Central time
The ceremony will be at 9 a.m. at FirstBank Stadium, 2601 Jess Neely Dr., 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 24. Graduating students received an email on how to access tickets for their guests on May 1. The event is general admission; there is no assigned seating.
Vanderbilt will be following FirstBank Stadium’s clear bag policy for this event.
Graduates had the option to select one free parking pass when they claimed their guest tickets for the undergraduate ceremony. They should have received the electronic parking pass with their guest tickets.
Graduates:
- VandyVans will be available to take undergraduate students to the stadium only. These shuttles will pick up at the intersection of West End Avenue and 21st Avenue beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Guest Parking:
- Students had the option to request one parking pass during the ticket claim process. There will be no shuttles from any campus parking locations to FirstBank Stadium on May 8. Additional information on guest parking is available online.
Rideshare:
- Guests and graduates may use rideshare options to arrive at the stadium. Drop-off and pickup for rideshares will be on 28th Avenue.
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT CEREMONIES
Friday, May 8, various times and locations
Graduate and professional students in the Class of 2026 will be honored at ceremonies held by their schools across campus.
See the full schedule of Commencement events.>>
Parking is available in the following structures for each ceremony:
- Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony* — Terrace Place Garage
- School of Nursing Ceremony* — Wesley Place Garage
- Graduate School Commencement* — Terrace Place Garage
- Law School Hooding Ceremony—Terrace Place Garage
- Divinity School Diploma Ceremony — 25th Avenue Garage (limited mobility rides will be available from here to the ceremony location)
- School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony — 25th Avenue Garage (limited mobility rides will be available from here to the ceremony location)
*A shuttle will run periodically from these garages to the ceremony location before the event, returning to the garages after the ceremony.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
Accessibility Accommodations
For Graduates Day and Commencement: There will be accessible seating at both Memorial Gym and FirstBank Stadium. Requests should have been made via the accessibility form emailed to graduates in April. Those who request wheelchairs will be taken to the ADA seating and taken back to the entrance once the event concludes.
For Graduate and Professional Ceremonies: Please connect with your respective schools to request any needed accommodations.
More information on Accessibility Accommodations >>
ID CHECKS
At any receptions after Commencement ceremonies, graduates and guests will be required to show a driver’s license before being served alcohol. ID check stations will be available at receptions where alcohol may be served.
SECURITY
There will be security screenings for 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 safety protocol. 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.
YOUR COMMENCEMENT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Have a question about Commencement? The Commencement website virtual assistant can help. Open the site and follow the prompt in the lower right corner on desktop or at the bottom of your screen on mobile.
THE EAGLES AT VANDERBILT
Looking for something fun to do after Commencement? The Eagles “The Long Goodbye, Act III” tour comes to FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University on Saturday, May 9. Tickets are going fast—get yours today.
Find all the latest information on celebrations for the Class of 2026 on the Vanderbilt Commencement webpage.
