Media Advisory: Frank Beamer to deliver 2019 Virginia Tech commencement address Friday; coverage guidelines and livestream information
Media members planning to cover the ceremony are asked to RSVP to vtnews@vt.edu by noon on Thursday, May 16.
Legendary retired Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer will deliver the keynote address at Virginia Tech’s University Commencement Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, in Lane Stadium.
More than 5,000 graduates and their families and friends are expected to attend. Complete information can be found on the commencement website.
Virginia Tech will offer live-stream video the University Commencement ceremony from the university homepage.
Guidelines for media coverage
· Media members planning to cover the ceremony are asked to RSVP to vtnews@vt.edu by noon on Thursday, May 16.
· Credentials will not be issued but reporters/photographers/videographers are asked to wear/display a media ID badge.
· No parking pass is needed for most of the parking lots surrounding Lane Stadium. The exception is the Cassell Coliseum lot, which is reserved for special needs parking and officials speaking at the ceremony.
· Media members are advised to arrive by 7:30 a.m.to avoid traffic backups.
· Parking for television satellite trucks can be made available in the Chicken Hill parking lot. Media organizations planning to bring a satellite truck must RSVP to vtnews@vt.edu by 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16.
· A mult box will be available on the field.
· Reporters and photographers may move around the field among the graduates as long it is done without disruption and does not block the view of the graduates. Enter the field through the South End Zone tunnels used for the student procession. Presentation of media ID badge required.
· No filming or photography is allowed directly in front of the stage during the ceremony, with the exception of official university cameras.
· Virginia Tech media relations will have representatives on the field to assist media.
· Follow the celebration at #HokieGrad
· On Friday, May 18, call Michael Stowe at 540-392- 4218 for assistance.
Commencement quick facts
· Approximately 52 associate degree candidates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and 5,485 bachelor’s degree candidates from all colleges will be honored throughout the weekend.
· This year, 2,219 graduating Hokies will complete their baccalaureate degree programs with honors, having achieved cumulative grade point averages of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
· Mechanical engineering is this year's most popular major among graduating seniors. The next four most popular majors are business information technology; human nutrition, foods and exercise; computer science; and finance.
In the event of inclement weather, the University Commencement ceremony in Lane Stadium may be delayed. If heavy rain or dangerous conditions prevail, the university may cancel the ceremony. Once a decision has been made, details will be posted on the Virginia Tech homepage and the Virginia Tech News page.
Contact: Michael Stowe | mstowe@vt.edu | 540-231-2611
