2021 Graduate Information

Fall 2021 Commencement

• Commencement Length

  The Fall 2021 commencement should last approximately 2 hours. The ceremony may be longer due to the adherence of COVID Guidelines.

• Academic Attire and Regalia

  Academic attire (cap, gown, and accessories) will be available for purchase in the Bookstore starting September 12, 2021. The last day to purchase in-person at the Bookstore is Friday, December 10, 2021.

  Students who are unable to make it to campus, can order online, http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_norfolk/. The last day to order online is Friday, November 5, 2021. Orders placed after this date may incur additional fees.

  Graduation Announcements & Class Rings can be ordered online, http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_norfolk/.

  Diploma Frames are available for purchase in the Bookstore or online, norfolkstate.bncollege.com.

  For more information, contact (757) 823-2037.

• Graduation Fees

  The mandatory application fee is $30. The application fee is assessed each time an application is submitted.

  The payment deadline for the graduation application is Friday, November 12, 2021. The payments should be paid directly to Student Accounts. 

  Students must be financially cleared in order to receive their degree and/or transcripts. This includes payment of the graduation fee, tuition, and all other fees (Cashier’s Office, Student Services Center, 2nd floor, Room 209) as well as any outstanding parking (University Police Department) or library fines (Lyman B. Brooks Library Circulation/Reserve Department, 1st floor).

• Commencement Arrival Time

  Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall will open at 7:30 a.m. to the general public. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. for the December 2021 Graduates.

  All guests are required to have a ticket to gain entry into Echols Hall. Any child over the age of two years old is required to have a ticket. 

  Guest should allow time sufficient time for entry into Echols Hall as all guests must enter through security check points.

• Parking

  Parking will be available for the commencement ceremony throughout the campus except for Lot 8, which surrounds Echols Hall. Shuttle services will begin starting at 7 a.m. to transport guests to Echols Hall.

   

  *Please note that there could be an extensive amount of walking from the parking lots to Echols Hall, depending on your parking location. Please plan accordingly.

Commencement Attendees

• General Public

  The 107th Commencement will be held in Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. for December 2021 Graduates. Plan to arrive at least an hour prior to the posted ceremony start time, as all guests will be required to go through the same security checkpoint. Social distancing will be enforced. 

  Tickets are required to gain entry into Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. 

  Each graduate will be given tickets for Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall at the commencement rehearsal. Distribution of tickets is solely the responsibility of the graduate. Extra tickets will not be available. 

• Lost or Stolen Items

  NSU is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Graduates are encouraged to leave personal items, (i.e. purses and other valuable items with family or friends). NSU does not have a location to store these items.

Ticket Information

Additional tickets are not available. Ceremony tickets will be distributed at Commencement Rehearsal.

• Commencement Ticket Information

  The 107th Commencement Ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 11 in Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall on the campus. Each graduate will receive six (6) tickets for the ceremony at the commencement rehearsal that will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 10 in Echols Hall. Distribution of commencement tickets in the sole responsibility of the graduate. Extra tickets are not available.

• Ticket Pick Up

  Each graduate will receive his/her tickets at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall at the commencement rehearsal. Distribution of tickets is solely the responsibility of the graduate. Extra tickets will not be available.

  Commencement tickets will be distributed at the commencement rehearsal that will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021 in Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall.

• Extra Additional Tickets

  Unfortunately, no extra tickets are available for the commencement ceremony.

   

Graduate Information

• Identification

  Graduates are required bring their photo ID to retrieve their tickets. 

Faculty

• Participating Faculty

  Participating faculty should arrive to the Spartans Suites Conference Room no later than 8:15 a.m. for faculty line up.

  Full academic regalia (robe, hood, and cap) is required. To purchase academic regalia, please contact the University Bookstore at (757) 823-2037. All faculty members must be robed and ready to line up no later than 8:45 a.m. for the ceremony. 

  For questions, please contact the Office of the Provost. 

Photographs & Videos

• Commencement Photos & Videos

  Share your achievements with family and friends. Here are links to view or order graduation day photos or videos.

  • Commencement photos on Flickr
  • Purchase graduation photos
  • Commencement video order form

• Photographs

  Guests may take photos from the bleacher sections only. Please do not block the aisles or passageways by attempting to greet or take photos with graduates. Please remain in your seats for the duration of the ceremony.

  No one other than those who have been issued a “Press Pass” will be allowed to take pictures from Echols main floor.

• Professional Photography

  GradImages is the official Commencement photographer. Students will receive an email with their photos, which can be purchased at www.gradimages.com. The photographer will capture a photo of the graduate as he/she crosses the stage and receives his/her diploma. Proofs and purchase information will be mailed or emailed directly to each graduate.

Lodging

The following is a listing of hotels in the vicinity of Norfolk State University. We suggest that you make reservations as early as possible to ensure that lodging will be available. This listing does not imply a recommendation. Many establishments provide a discounted rate for visitors attending the NSU Commencement, be sure to inquire with your reservation agent. Information on rates and directions should be secured by calling the numbers listed below.

• Hotels in Vicinity of NSU

  Aloft Chesapeake: 145 Crossways Blvd, Chesapeake, VA.
  Phone: (757) 410-9562
  
  Norfolk Waterside Marriott: 235 E Main Street, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 627-4200
  
  Wyndham Garden Downtown: 700 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 627-5555

  Hilton Norfolk The Main: 100 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 763-6200

  Courtyard Norfolk Downtown: 520 Plume Street, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 963-6000
  
  Sheraton Norfolk Waterside: 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 622-6664
  
  Hilton Airport Norfolk: 1500 North Military Highway, Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 466-8000
  
  Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake: 725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA.
  Phone: (757) 523-1500
  
  Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center: 4453 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach, VA.
  Phone: (877) 270-1393
  
  Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center: 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia
  
  CandleWood Suites Norfolk Airport: 5600 Lowery Road Norfolk, VA.
  Phone: (757) 605-4001 or (888) 226-3539
  
  This listing does not imply a recommendation.