Dr. James A. Wilson, chairman of the Commencement Ceremony Committee has emailed all current graduating seniors concerning changes being made for the ceremony to be held on Dec. 14.
Wilson assured students that the changes being implemented would be to assist in safety measures as well as allowing that as many people as possible would be able to witness the graduates’ special day.
Student Government Association Vice President Jarrick Brown said, “The decision for everyone to have ten tickets was primarily for fairness. For the past three graduations that I have worked, I have seen many people miss their loved one’s graduation completely or altercations between angry family members and police have broken out.”
Each graduation candidate will be allowed 10 tickets for guests, as tickets are required for admission into the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Fieldhouse on graduation day.
Students who do not need all their allocated tickets are asked to return them and allow other candidates to use them to accommodate friends, family, and other guests.
However, the tickets may only be used for those attending the same commencement time and are prohibited from being sold.
Guests are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the ceremony, with tickets in hand, as they are required upon entry.
Students seem to have mixed emotions about the changes being implemented.
Senior computer science major Joshua O’Neal said, “I don’t like the idea. If the building capacity is an issue, the university should just have it outside. I hate the idea that I have to host the “PVAMU 2013 Graduation Invitational Draft Pick.”
Senior psychology major Jasmine Thombs said, “I believe that although there is an issue on capacity and seating, tickets will cause more uproar because nowadays the average in bigger. Limiting the number of allotted tickets for each graduate, also limits exposure to potential Panthers and for family and friends to see what our university is all about.”
Prarie View A&M
Tuesday, June 24, 2025