Convocation

Convocation for the class of 2027 is Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 4 p.m.

Each year, Longwood University celebrates the official opening of the academic year with the Convocation Ceremony. Convocation is a formal ceremony where seniors wear academic regalia and are initiated into their final year of university education, a keynote speaker addresses the class, and faculty awards are announced. At Longwood, we also honor the transition into seniorhood with the traditional capping ceremony.

Capping Guidelines for Convocation

Capping is a longstanding Longwood tradition highlighted by the "capping" of seniors by their friends.

Capper

Due to space constraints, only one capper per graduate. Graduates may participate without a capper.

What to Wear

Graduates wear their academic gown and graduates or cappers bring the decorated cap. 

Academic regalia may be purchased at the Longwood University Store. The store is located at 200 N. Main Street, Farmville, VA. Please visit or call the store with any questions (434) 990-6716.

Online ordering is available at the Herff Jones Website. The last date to order online for Convocation use is August 14, 2026; the University Store has plenty in stock for in person pick up past this date.

(Note: Hoods may be included with your regalia packages, but they are not worn at Convocation. They will be worn at Commencement in May.)

Accommodations

For accommodations please contact the Accessibility Resources Office, (434)395-2391.

Guest Seating

Tickets are not required for the Convocation ceremony and there is no limit on the number of guests students may invite to the ceremony. Campus will have open parking during the ceremony; guests will be guided to their seating section upon arrival to the Joan Perry Brock Center.

Convocation 2026

Senior Noah Sadler ’27 is no stranger to the Joan Perry Brock Center. A manager for the Longwood men’s basketball team since his freshman year, he has long occupied a game-day seat on the home bench of Longwood’s crown jewel basketball arena—albeit in a less-visible, supporting role for the school’s two-time Big South Champion basketball program.

At Longwood’s annual Convocation ceremony this past Thursday, however, Sadler, his fellow members of the Class of 2027 and their collection of uniquely decorated “mortarboard” caps found themselves in the JPB spotlight as the university formally initiated its seniors into their final year of undergraduate education.

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Full Ceremony