Ceremony Information
Important Update Regarding Arriving and Parking at the Venue
Due to the ongoing construction project taking place at the Chester Library, the traffic patterns surrounding the Perkinson Center parking lots have been affected. Please factor in extra time to account for these parking changes and travel. Click HERE to learn more. For more information regarding traffic patterns at the venue, visit the Perkinson Center website.
Location
The location for the Fall 2026 commencement ceremony is the Perkinson Center for Arts & Education, located at 11810 Centre Street, Chester VA 23831.
Date
Fall commencement is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Arrival
All graduates should plan to arrive at the venue between 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Doors will open for guest at 10:00 a.m.
Dress Code
Students should refer to the Preparing for the Ceremony page for details.
Please refrain from bringing any balloons or noisemakers. If we see items that are distracting or cause any disturbance during the ceremony, we will ask that you place them in your car.
Diplomas
Graduates will receive their diplomas upon arrival at the ceremony venue. Graduates who are not walking in the ceremony will have their diplomas shipped to the address listed in the Student Portal.
Pins
As traditionally part of our ceremony, graduates will receive their pins during commencement.
Parking
General parking is available at the ceremony location.
Please Note: due to the ongoing construction project taking place at the Chester Library, the traffic patterns surrounding the Perkinson Center parking lots have been affected. Please factor in extra time to account for these parking changes and travel. Click HERE to learn more. For more information regarding traffic patterns at the venue, visit the Perkinson Center website.
Tickets
This is a ticketed event. Each graduate will receive seven (7) tickets. More details about ticket distribution will be forthcoming. All guests, regardless of age, will be required to have a ticket to gain entry to the ceremony. Graduates will be responsible for distributing tickets to guests.
Livestreaming
The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed. The link to share with family and friends will be posted here closer to the ceremony date.
