General Information

Ceremony Logistics

Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 11 at 9 a.m. in WildCat Stadium.
Gates open to guests at 8 a.m..
A continental style breakfast will be available for purchase in Cheatham Dining Hall between 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.
No tickets are required to enter WildCat Stadium.
The month of May can be hot! Water stations will be available at the entrance of WildCat Stadium. Hydrate sustainably: bring your reusable water bottle and make a positive impact! Don’t forget your sunscreen! Current Lynchburg Weather
Portable toilets will be will be located next to the field house in WildCat Stadium
A live webcast of the ceremony begins at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. Get streaming information and shareable link.

Inclement Weather Plan & Rain Tickets

In the event of inclement weather, a decision will be made by 6 a.m., Sunday May 11 to move the ceremony indoors to Smith Hall Theatre.
Doors open at 8:20 a.m.
Graduates will be notified via an alert in LiveSafe that the ceremony had been moved indoors. Guests can stay informed by paying attention to the Randolph College website and related social media networks.
Each guest will need a ticket to enter Smith Hall Theatre.
Each graduate will receive 4 guest rain tickets. Those who need more than the allotted 4 tickets can enter the ticket lottery for a chance to receive additional tickets, based on availability.
Undergraduate rain tickets will be available for pick up in the Office of the Dean of Students along with caps, tassels, and hoods beginning April 30, 2025. MAT, MEd, and MACSL students will receive their rain tickets at their Graduate Recognition Ceremonies on Saturday, May 10.
Overflow seating with a live webcast/closed captioning of the Commencement ceremony will be shown in the Student Center in Hampson Commons – no ticket required. Rain tickets will be available for pick up in the Office of the Dean of Students during final exam week.

Parking

Please remain alert as pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be in motion simultaneously on campus thoroughfares during arrival and departure. Your safety is of the utmost importance.
The entrance to Main Campus Drive will close no later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Shuttle services and accessible vans will be running from both Campus and Off-Campus parking areas to WildCat Stadium for the duration of the event.

Restricted Parking

Please do not park in the following lots:

Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church – 2424 Rivermont Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College – 1 Quinlan St, Lynchburg, VA 24503

Campus Parking

The entrance to Main Campus Drive will close no later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
All vehicular traffic will enter the campus from Norfolk Avenue onto East Campus Drive.
Traffic will move in one direction only, proceeding toward WildCat Stadium from the entrance. Randolph College Campus Map
Passengers may be dropped off at the stadium gate ramp – volunteers will be there to help with seating information.
Traffic will continue through campus following West Campus Drive as Campus Safety Officers will direct each vehicle into appropriate parking areas along the route.
As each lot fills to capacity, the lot will be closed.
Once the ceremony has concluded, ALL traffic must exit the campus in a westerly direction onto North Princeton Circle from West Campus Drive.
As a reminder, city police will enforce parking regulations on the streets surrounding the College throughout the weekend. Guests are reminded to observe all parking, traffic control, and informational signs. Improperly parked vehicles in restricted areas (businesses/ churches/ etc.) may be ticketed, or towed, at the owner’s expense.

Off-Campus Parking:

Dollar General – 2303 Bedford Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24503 (designated spaces only)
Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center – 2320 Bedford Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24503

ADA Parking

Handicap accessible parking will be available near the stadium, across from the tennis courts, on a first-come, first served basis (outdoors) / Front of Campus (indoors).
Please inform the Campus Safety Officer at the East Campus Drive entrance of your parking needs and the graduate’s name. The name should be on the Handicap Parking List provided to Campus Safety by the Dean of Students Office. To be added to the list, please contact Ann Chellman, deanofstudents@randolphcollege.edu, (434) 947-8119
Golf carts will provide movement from accessible parking to/from the stadium on an as needed basis.
In the event that the handicap parking area fills to capacity, drivers will be directed to an open lot and a handicap accessible van will be available to pick up passengers and deliver to the stadium.

Accessibility Information

Randolph College is dedicated to ensuring that commencement weekend venues and programs are accessible and enjoyable to all.
Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs. Graduates and guests in need of the accommodations below should make requests by contacting Ann Chellman, deanofstudents@randolphcollege.edu, (434) 947-8119 no later than 4 weeks s prior to Commencement (April 21, 2025).
- Accessible parking
- Shuttle services. (golf carts and handicap accessible vans)
- Wheelchair accessible or ambulatory seating
- Sign language interpreting with reserved seating
Although Randolph College has a “no pet” policy that is strictly enforced, service animals are welcome. Advanced notification of service animal attendance is required.

Cell Phones, Cameras, and Video Equipment

During Commencement, all cell phones should be turned to silent.
Use of cameras and video equipment during Commencement is permitted in designated areas, but should not interfere with the flow of the program.
A professional photographer will take a photo of each graduate receiving a diploma. These images will be available approximately two weeks after Commencement for FREE on the Commencement website.

Noise Makers

The use of air horns, cowbells, and other noisemakers is not permitted during the ceremony.

Pet Policy

Randolph College has a “no pet” policy that is strictly enforced. Pets are not allowed at the Commencement Ceremony.
Service animals that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities are welcome.
Please notify Ann Chellman, deanofstudents@randolphcollege.edu, (434) 947-8119 if your service animal will attend.

Digital Commencement Program

A digital Commencement program, which is a part of the College’s sustainability efforts, will be available for download on the Commencement website on Friday afternoon. It will contain final information, including honors awarded.

Campus Store Hours

Friday, May 9, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Important Reminders to Graduates

Undergraduate Hoods/Caps/Tassels/Rain Tickets will be distributed starting Wednesday, April 30 through Wednesday, May 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Dean of Students Office. MACSL/ MAT/ MEd students will receive rain tickets on Saturday, May 10 at their respective awards ceremonies
BE ON TIME for Daisy Chain, Commencement rehearsal, and lineup.
Commencement rehearsal is mandatory for graduates and squires. – 7:45 a.m., Sunday May 11.,
If the ceremony is moved indoors due to rain, graduates will receive an alert on the LiveSafe app. To receive alerts, install the app, register your email, select Randolph College, and enable push notifications.
All graduates should come with full regalia, including robe, cap, tassel, hood and button stole (optional). YES! For the first time ever, button stoles are allowed! Please do not wear heels for the ceremony. The procession (if outside) will require walking across the turf field.
Caps must not be decorated with obscene language or images. Please do not decorate your robes. Caps that do not adhere to these guidelines will be exchanged for a new cap and a fee will be assessed.
Undergraduate hoods must be returned or purchased in Main Hall Lobby between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. If you do not return your hood, a $35 charge will be placed on your student account.
The following meals will be provided for you:
- Friday, May 9 – Grab and Go Pizza: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 10 – Garden Party, Student Center: 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 11 – Breakfast, Dining Hall: 6:30 a.m.–8 a.m.
- Sunday, May 11 – Brunch Buffet, Dining Hall: 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.