Schedule of Events

Commencement Schedule

Graduates Day - Thursday, May 11 at 11 a.m.

The Graduates Day celebration for all graduates and their guests will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons Lawn. This year’s Nichols-Chancellor's Medalist and Graduates Day speaker is internationally acclaimed journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria A. Ressa.

Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Location: The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons Lawn

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Commencement Celebration - Thursday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m.

The Commencement Celebration, a new take on the Strawberries and Champagne celebration, will be on Thursday, May 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Rec Field 2.

This event will include a live band, light refreshments, fireworks and champagne to toast the Class of 2023. The celebration is open to all graduating students and their guests.

Location: Rec Field 2

Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Undergraduate Commencement - Friday, May 12 at 10 a.m.

Commencement at Bridgestone Arena is for undergraduates only.

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Bridgestone Arena

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Diploma Ceremonies - Friday, May 12

Divinity School’s Act of Worship and Diploma Ceremony (10:30 a.m.)

Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Benton Chapel.
Tickets are not required.
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Law School Hooding Ceremony (10:30 a.m.)

Location: Curry Field
Time: 10:30 a.m.
The Law School Hooding ceremony will be in the Commencement tent on Curry Field.
Curry Field is located next to the Law School building and behind Wilson Hall.
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Owen Graduate School Diploma Ceremony (11 a.m.)

Location: Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center
Time: 11 a.m.–noon
Graduates will line up in the Field House, and guests will proceed to the main gym.
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School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony (11 a.m.)

Location: Langford Auditorium
Time: 11 a.m.
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Graduate School / School of Engineering Diploma Ceremony (11 a.m.)

Diploma ceremony for the graduate and professional graduates.
Location: Magnolia Lawn
Time: 11 a.m.
Check in: 10:15-10:45
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Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony – Master’s Students (11 a.m.)

Tickets are not required, but seating is limited. An indoor viewing area will be available nearby for those who wish to watch a livestream of the ceremony.
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Wyatt Lawn
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School of Nursing Investiture of the Academic Hood ceremony (11 a.m.)

Location: Branscomb Quadrangle
Time: 11 a.m.
Guests will find a seat in the outdoor courtyard where the ceremony will take place.
Since there is not a formal recessional, at the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and guests will proceed to the back of the tent to the reception indoors.
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Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony (11:15 a.m.)

Location: Bridgestone Arena
Time: 11:15 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Peabody Professional Diploma Ceremony –  Ed.D. Students (3 p.m.)

Location: Wyatt Lawn
Time: 3 p.m.
Tickets are not required, but seating is limited. An indoor viewing area will be available nearby for those who wish to watch a livestream of the ceremony.
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Additional Events

Monday, May 1, 2023:

EDI Graduate Recognition Reception (6 p.m.)

Location: Student Life Center, Board of Trust
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Sponsored by the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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Thursday, May 4, 2023:

Lavender Graduation (5 p.m.)

Location: Community Event Space
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Sponsored by LGBTQI Life and SCSJI
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Friday, May 5, 2023:

International Student Graduate Recognition Ceremony (5 p.m.)

Location: Sarratt Cinema
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Sponsored by EDI, ISSS and SCSJI
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Wednesday, May 10, 2023:

Worship Service for Degree Candidates (3 p.m.)

Location: Benton Chapel
Time: 3-4 p.m.
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APIDA Graduate Recognition Ceremony (5 p.m.)

Location: Student Life Center
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Sponsored by SCSJI and EDI
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Thursday, May 11, 2023:

Native American/Indigenous Graduates Recognition Ceremony (8 a.m.)

Location: Student Life Center, Board of Trust Room and Ballroom
Time: 8-10:30 a.m.
Sponsored by SCSJI, EDI and ISO
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Latinx Graduate Recognition Ceremony (1 p.m.)

Location: Student Life Center Ballroom
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Sponsored by SCSJI, EDI, ALAS, CLACX, Faculty Affairs and SOLS
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Law and Business Certificate Ceremony (2 p.m.)

Location: Law School 2nd Floor North Lobby
Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
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LL.M. Toast to Class of 2023 (2 p.m.)

Location: Law School Cowden Atrium
Time: 2:30–3 p.m.
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A&S College Scholars and Dean’s Undergraduate Advisory Board Graduation Reception (2:30 p.m.)

Location: Atrium, Buttrick Hall
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. 
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Blair Senior Recognition Ceremony (3 p.m.)

Location: Turner Recital Hall
Time: 3-4 p.m.
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Open House for Graduates and Guests (3 p.m.)

Location: Law School Main Street, North Atrium and Blackacre Courtyard
Time: 3–4:30 p.m.
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2023 graduates and their guests are invited! Faculty, staff and administrators will attend.
Posse Scholars Graduation (5 p.m.)

Location: Community Event Space
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Sponsored by EDI
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Owen Commencement Celebration Reception (3 p.m.)

Location: Owen Graduate School Lobby and Great Room
Time: 3–5 p.m.
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Reception for MBA, MSF, MAcc and MMark graduates and guests. Bring the whole family! This is your time to celebrate!
Blair reception for seniors, faculty, staff, and guests (4 p.m.)

Location: Turner Lobby
Time: 4-5 p.m.
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Blair Seniors’ Recital (5 p.m.)

Location: Turner Recital Hall
Time: 5-6 p.m.
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Owen Commencement Celebration Reception (5 p.m.)

Location: Aertson Hotel, Patterson Ballroom
Time: 5–8 p.m.
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Reception for EMBA graduates and guests.
Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony (7 p.m.)

Location: Langford Auditorium
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Sponsored by BCC
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Friday, May 12, 2023:

Breakfast for Blair seniors, faculty, staff, and guests (7:00 a.m.)

Location: Ingram Lobby
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
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Owen Berries & Bubbly (12:30 p.m.)

Location: Owen Graduate School Lobby and Great Room
Time: 12:30-2 p.m.
Celebration for ALL programs!
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