Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Regent University’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, on the Virginia Beach campus, starting at 5:00 p.m. Graduates are asked to arrive on campus by 3:00 p.m. and to monitor their Regent email should additional details arise.

Regent University (Library Plaza)
1000 Regent University Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464, USA
Campus Map

Commencement is a university-wide event that celebrates all graduates as a community. Graduates can hear special keynote messages from alumni, students, Chancellor Gordon Robertson, and our featured speaker. Regent University views this ceremony as its most prized event. Commencement includes the name reading and walking for undergraduate students.

Commissioning is a formal ceremony shared with peers, faculty, and distinguished guests where graduates’ names are read aloud as they walk across the stage in recognition of their accomplishments. A hooding ceremony will accompany the moment of graduates who have earned master’s or doctoral degrees.

No. Students can attend one, both, or none of these events.

If a student is graduating from multiple schools, they are eligible to attend more than one Commissioning.

Each graduate school holds a Commissioning ceremony to honor graduates by degree program. Graduates are requested to view and RSVP to their Commissioning ceremony through their MyRegent portal. Additional information with further details will be sent from schools as the date approaches.

Commissioning ceremonies will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, 2026.

Advance Degree Graduates will walk and have their names read during the Commissioning ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, 2026. Undergraduates will walk and have their names read during Commencement on Saturday, May 9.

No, your diploma will be ordered approximately six to eight weeks following the term in which degree program requirements are completed.

Regent University is pleased to partner with Herff Jones to offer personalized graduation items.

Herff Jones will be in the 77 Coffeehouse lounge during Commencement week on the following dates and times:

How do I order regalia?

Oak Hall is Regent University’s personalized regalia provider. All students attending on-campus graduation events MUST have Oak Hall regalia. No other regalia is permitted.

The cost for the regalia this year will be:

• Undergraduate regalia package = $44+
• Master’s regalia package = $68+
• Specialist’s regalia package = $70+
• Doctoral regalia package = $111+

When should I order my regalia?

• It is recommended to order regalia as soon as possible. Online ordering will open on February 5, 2026
• The ship to home deadline is April 5, 2026
• The ship to Regent University deadline is March 22, 2026

Where will my regalia be shipped?

We provide two options for regalia shipment. Students can have regalia shipped to their home directly or to Regent University for pick-up at designated times starting in May 2026.

The regalia distribution center days and hours will be:

• Tuesday, May 5; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 6; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 7; 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 8; 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

What if I miss the regalia order deadline?

Students should contact the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible to communicate their regalia needs: registrar@regent.edu.

What regalia and ceremonial guidelines should I follow?

• All graduates are required to wear the designated Oak Hall “Green Weaver” cap and gown.
• During the Commencement ceremony, dual and joint degree graduates should only wear the hood of the degree with which they are sitting.
• Graduates may not carry handbags, banners, placards, or similar accessories.
• Sunglasses and small cameras are permitted.
• Men wearing caps should remove them during prayer.

What is the proper way to wear the hood?

Regalia packages for graduate and post-graduate students will come with an appropriate hood for your degree program. To familiarize yourself with the proper hooding technique, please view this short video clip.

How do I RSVP for commencement and commissioning?

Students can RSVP by logging into their MyRegent portal, selecting the Student tab at the top, and scrolling down to the RSVP for Commencement and Commissioning prompt under My Account.

When is the deadline to RSVP for commencement and commissioning?

The deadline to RSVP for the May 2026 Commencement and Commissioning events is April 5, 2026.

What is the recommended attire for graduates?

• Men should wear a shirt and tie – no jacket.
• Ladies should wear dresses, or a skirt/dress slacks and blouse.
• Graduates should wear sensible shoes (flats or low wedges) to offset the lengthy amount of standing and walking (approximately ½ mile). Graduates can anticipate approximately 90 minutes of standing.

Will there be a guest limit or tickets?

There will not be a guest limit or need for tickets for the ceremonies.

What hotels are available in the area?

Regent University certainly recommends The Founders Inn and Spa, which is adjacent to the campus. Hotels in the Greenbrier area of City of Chesapeake offer excellent proximity and amenities, as well.

Will I receive Latin Honors?

For undergraduate students, Latin Honors will be determined after the conclusion of Session C, and qualifying students will be contacted. Honor cords will be provided if the student is participating in graduation ceremonies. Please refer to the catalog for cumulative GPA requirements.

What should I know about commencement arrival and line up?

• Graduates and guests traveling to campus on Saturday, May 9, should plan to use the Centerville Turnpike entrance located near the Communication Building on the Campus Map.
• Graduates are urged to arrive by 2:30 p.m. to secure parking and prepare for the procession line up. Plan accordingly for traffic and delays.
• Graduates will need to be at their assigned line up location at the Administration Building (see Campus Map) no later than 3:00 p.m.
• Row assignments for Commencement will be provided upon arrival for line up.
• Row numbers will be posted on tall signs in front of the Administration Building.
• Upon arrival, report to the check-in table located in the area between the Administration and Classroom buildings to receive your row number assignment.
• Graduates who have not checked in with their faculty marshal by 4:00 p.m. may be assigned to an alternate row by a staff member or faculty marshal.

Where should I park?

1. Graduates and guests traveling to campus on Saturday, May 9, should plan to use the Centerville Turnpike entrance located near the Communication Building on the Campus Map.
2. Graduates are urged to arrive by 2:30 p.m. to secure parking and prepare for the procession line up. Plan accordingly for traffic and delays.
3. Guests with disability related concerns can expect campus-wide accessibility services including assistance with transport from parking areas to services as well as communication accommodations. Handicap parking will be available on-campus by decal only. Guests with handicap decals should follow the signage and traffic direction to the handicap parking locations.

Where should ride share drop off/pick up?

For ride sharing and other taxi and car services, use 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA as the address to our campus. This will direct the GPS to the Founders Inn, parking lot F.

Please allow additional time to get to campus by walking.

What miscellaneous information may come in handy?

• The closest restrooms to the graduate line up area are in the Classroom Building, the Dede Robertson Student Center, and the Administration Building.
• Commencement programs will be distributed to graduates prior to processing.
• Water bottles will be available to graduates during line up.
• Use #Regentgrad26 and search #Regentgrad26 on social to see what others are posting.

Pre-order your exclusive 2026 Commencement T-shirt, listing the names of all the graduates confirmed through the Registrar’s Office.

Shirts are white, standard unisex sizing, and 100% cotton. Cost: $39 each, plus $4.99 shipping per order. No order limit.

You can also pre-order flowers and Teddy bears for pick up on Commencement Day! Any gifts ordered through the site can be picked up on Saturday, May 9 at either of the Commencement Flowers tents. Gifts do not have to be pre-ordered, but supplies will be limited on Commencement Day. Day-of purchases are first come, first serve.

If you are not planning to join us in person for the 2026 Commencement ceremonies, you can still order a shirt to be mailed to you. These are the same shirts as above, just available for direct mailing and will not be available for pick up at Commencement. Shirts will be delivered by early June.

You will have access to your Regent email even after you graduate for up to five years. You will have access to the portal about one year from your graduation.