Nighthawks Take Flight: Volunteers needed for Spring 2025 Commencement, May 12!

March 5, 2025 / Faculty/Staff Highlights

NOVA’s Spring 2025 Commencement will be here before we know it, and we need volunteers to help make it happen! This will be a day we will puff out our chests and watch with pride as our NOVA Nighthawks fly off to make their tremendous mark on the world. Under the direction of Dr. Joel Frater, vice president of student affairs, the Commencement Team has been working diligently to pull off this incredible event and make our Nighthawks’ big day one they will remember for a lifetime!

What we know:

  • Commencement is Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m.
  • The ceremony will again be held at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax.
  • Students should have applied to graduate by March 1.
  • Graduates will receive an email with deadlines and instructions on how to RSVP to walk in Commencement and order their guest tickets. Graduates must RSVP by the deadline, and tickets are required for guests.
  • Commencement information is available on the Spring 2025 Commencement Website.  

What we need: YOU!!!!! 
To make this event a reality, we need nearly 200 volunteers. All volunteers and marshals receive full training. We need:

  • approximately 25 Faculty Marshals (Marshals will wear regalia.)
  • approximately 150 General Volunteers

If you are you available to volunteer, please:

  • Save the date: Monday, May 12
  • Estimated time commitment: About eight hours (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Register at Commencement Volunteer & Faculty Marshal Sign Up by Monday March 17. (Please discuss your participation with your supervisor if needed.)

Questions about volunteering? Please contact Professor Lisa Riggleman-Gross. More details will be available as we get closer to the event.

—Lisa Riggleman-Gross, WO-Sociology