INFORMATION FOR FACULTY

For both ceremonies, Faculty should proceed into the Finneran Pavilion main entrance no later than 1:45 PM. From the Finneran Pavilion, faculty will be directed into the stadium to line up for the faculty procession which begins promptly at 2:15 PM. Please see the commencement information page for more details, including the bag policy.

Baccalaureate Mass

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Rowen Campus Green

The Baccalaureate Mass honors and celebrates our graduates, our Augustinian heritage and our University community. Academic regalia is requested for the Baccalaureate Liturgy.

Bachelor's Degree Commencement & Recognition Ceremony

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Villanova Stadium 
Please see the timing for Faculty arrival in the above section.

Master's and Doctoral Degree Commencement & Recognition Ceremony

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Villanova Stadium 
Please see the timing for Faculty arrival in the above section.

Due to the high volume of visitors anticipated, we ask for your cooperation with the following important parking details.   

• The University is closed on Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20. This will help ensure there is sufficient parking for the visitors we anticipate, as well as faculty and staff participating in the Commencement exercises.    
• Faculty participating in the Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony on Tuesday or the Master’s & Doctoral Degree Ceremony on Wednesday should park in the S-4 lot (Law School garage) or the M-2 lot (SAC garage).
  • Please utilize the Mendel Gate on Spring Mill Road/Rt. 320 to access the M-2 lot (SAC garage). 
• Law Faculty participating in the CWSL Ceremony on Wednesday should park in the M-1 lot (Health Services Building garage) or the S-4 lot (Law School garage).
• Student parking passes from the 2025-2026 academic year WILL NOT be valid during Commencement. All graduates must use the digital Commencement Parking Pass they received in order to park on campus during graduation. We ask that graduates park in the W-2 West Campus lot to accommodate our guests in other lots. 

Traffic conditions will be extremely congested. Public transportation, carpooling, or use of ride share services such as Uber or Lyft is encouraged.  Ride share drivers should be directed to drop-off at the M-1 or M-2 lots (access via the main entrance on Ithan Ave.), or the A-2 lot (access via the Galberry Hall entrance on Lancaster Ave.)

We make every effort to hold Commencement outdoors, and the ceremony will proceed in light rain.

In the event of severe weather where we are unable to safely hold the Commencement ceremony outside, the University will adjust plans accordingly.

Please review the plan carefully and sign up for text alerts by texting NOVAGRAD to 333111 to receive real-time updates and important announcements regarding any schedule or location changes.