Commencement

Graduation Day Instructions

Graduates must arrive at the Atlantic Union Bank Center by 9:15am. Enter through the main doors and you will be directed to check-in at the lower level.

Please leave all personal belongings and bags in your car or with guests. Family and friends may not join you on the ground floor before the ceremony.

RSVP

Attendance is not required. Please confirm your intent to participate in the ceremony by picking up your FREE cap, gown, and tassel from the College Bookstore by April 24.

Caps, Gowns, and Tassels

You may pick up your free set (cap, gown, and tassel) at the College Bookstore beginning March 23.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)

Current members of the PTK Honor Society may purchase honor stoles, tassels, and cords at the College Bookstore, (proof of membership in the Society will be required).

Diplomas

Diplomas and certificates will be mailed to students in mid-June. Name and address changes should be made in SIS no later than May 15. Diploma frames are available at the College Bookstore.

Parking

Free parking is available in the Ballard Parking Deck at JMU adjacent to the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

Accommodations

If you need accommodations in order to participate in the ceremony, please contact The Office of Student Accessibility at accessibility@brcc.edu by April 24.

Guest Information

Tickets are not required. The ceremony is open admission and seating is first come, first serve. All graduates and guests will enter through security stations. Bags larger than 12x12x12, glass containers, large helium balloons, and large strollers are prohibited.

Invitations

Students may order customized graduation announcements through Herff Jones. Contact John Shewmaker for assistance at virginiagrad@herffjones.com or (434) 326-0344.

Photography

Photos will be taken at the Commencement ceremony and link to those images will be posted to this web page and on college media. The College pays for these images and they are available to you for free download.

Keynote Speaker

Katie K. Frazier

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
Commonwealth of Virginia

Katie K. Frazier, a native of the Shenandoah Valley, has dedicated her career to supporting the growth of two of Virginia’s top industries: agriculture and forestry. With extensive experience in advocacy, Secretary Frazier has worked tirelessly at both the state and federal levels on a wide range of issues, including soil and water conservation, market and economic development, agricultural research, workforce development, and the preservation of working farms and forests. 

Prior to this role, since 2018, she has served as the Chief Brand Officer for Farm Credit of the Virginias. In this role, she led the financial cooperative’s marketing, legislative and advocacy efforts, education, the Farm Credit Knowledge Center, stakeholder and community relations, and charitable contributions programs. 

Her previous experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, a non-profit trade association in Richmond, as well as representation of wineries and grain producers in her advocacy work. 

Student Speaker

TBD