Arriving for Commencement
We cannot stress this enough, plan on an early arrival to the event site. Severe traffic challenges expected due to lane closures on Highway 27. Please use the back gate to enter, here’s the address for your GPS: 221 Legacy Drive, NW Rome, GA.
Gifts for Grads:
Berry Swag
Looking for that perfect Berry gift for your graduate? Check out these two options:
Bouquets
As in years past, our Student Enterprise will be selling floral bouquets for Undergraduate Commencement.
If there are bouquets still remaining after the pre-sale, they will have a limited number for sale at commencement in the concession stand at Valhalla. Pick-up for the pre-orders will also be at the concession stand at Valhalla on commencement morning.
Frequently ASked Questions
Please go online at: https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_berry/ to place your order. There is no associated cost for the cap and gown as it is included in your graduation fee.
The deadline to order is March 4th. NO orders will be accepted after this date, and the web link to order will be closed.
If you have any questions about caps, gowns, graduation announcements and/or rings, please come by or call The Shipyard at 706-238-7652.
Students who have completed all degree requirements in May 2024 and/or December 2023 are eligible to participate in the May 4 undergraduate commencement.
Students who have no more than 2 courses (8 hours) remaining and who will complete all degree requirements in the summer 2024 semester should contact the Registrar’s office to determine whether they are eligible to walk
registrar@berry.edu.
The commencement ceremony will be held in Valhalla Stadium.
Yes, the ceremony may be viewed at https://www.berry.edu/webcast/
You may also view the livestream on campus in the Krannert Ballroom.
Commencement attendees may park in any parking lot on campus. ADA parking will be available in a parking lot close to the event site. There will be parking attendants to direct you.
Graduates should arrive by 8 a.m. and meet at Sister’s Theatre.
The gates to Valhalla will open at 7:30 a.m. for ADA seating ONLY. The gates will be open to other guests at 8 a.m.
The ceremony for graduates will move indoors to the Cage in case of severe weather. Each graduate will receive four tickets for the indoor venue. The opportunity for viewing the ceremony on campus via livestream will be expanded should we be forced to move to the rain plan. We have a strong preference for being outside. We will remain outside in the case of light precipitation. Bring appropriate rain gear if necessary, and please avoid using an umbrella during the ceremony, so as not to obstruct line of sight for others.
For the outdoor, Valhalla venue, each graduate may bring as many guests as they like.
For students
Students in need of an accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act, should contact Katrina Meehan at kmeehan@berry.edu no later than two weeks prior to commencement. If the student has a need that arises after this date, please call the Office of Accessibility Resources at 706.233.4080.
For attendees
ADA parking will be available in a parking lot close to the event site. There will be parking attendants to direct you. Captioning services will also be provided during the ceremony. Attendees should plan to bring their own assistive mobility devices; however, should an attendee need to request an assistive mobility device, please reach out to our Office of Accessibility Resources at 706.233.4080 or kmeehan@berry.edu no later than 5:00pm the Thursday prior to commencement. Any last minute requests should reach out to the Office of Accessibility Resources as soon as possible.
Yes, there will be a professional photographer working the event who will get a photograph of the student on the stage with Dr. Briggs, and one as they come off the stage holding their diploma. A link to the photos will be in the program as well as displayed on the Jumbotron at the conclusion of the ceremony.