James Madison University Commencement Programs

The first commencement program at the State Normal School for Women was held from June 7-14, 1910, as the first commencement programs were held over a period of days with events spread out over the course of the ceremony. The first commencement program began with a play by the senior class, continued throughout the week with a recital by the music department, commencement services and sermons led by local clergy, and ended with an address by the then-governor of Virginia William Hodges Mann and the presentation of diplomas by Samuel P. Duke at the local courthouse assembly hall.

In subsequent years, the commencement ceremonies followed a similar format (a sermon on the first day, activities in the subsequent days, and diplomas handed out on the final day) over a shorter span of time. For a period of time, all events took place during a single day, until 2011 when commencement ceremonies were held over the course of multiple days during the first weekend of May. All commencement ceremonies that follow 2011 adhere to this three-day format: the Graduate School commencement occurs on the first day, the University Program commencement begins the second day ceremonies, and College/Departmental commencement programs occur on the second and third day. These ceremonies take place in a variety of locations on campus, including the Quadrangle, Bridgeforth Stadium, the lawn of Duke Hall, Alumni Centennial Park, and the Festival Ballroom.