Graduation Information

Guests

Seaver College’s commencement ceremony, held at Alumni Park, is open to all guests of graduating students. In the unlikely event that the weather requires us to hold the ceremony somewhere other than Alumni Park, this may change. We recommend checking back to the Seaver graduation webpage frequently.

Restrooms & Concessions

Regular and ADA-accessible restrooms will be available on Alumni Park. Limited concessions will also be available for purchase in a designated tent near the ceremony area.

Security & Prohibited Items

To enhance public safety, please observe the following restrictions for all commencement activities on the Pepperdine University Campus. Patrons will not be allowed to bring the following items onto Alumni Park. These policies are subject to change without notice.

• No firearms, knives, explosives, or other weapons
• All commencement staff have the authority to prohibit any items deemed a security risk.
• No large bags, backpacks, or large purses
• No large signs, flags, poles, banners, or laser pointers
• No artificial noisemakers, air horns, or megaphones may be used
• No balloons
• No pets are allowed except trained service animals

Consistent with University policies, pets are not allowed at commencement services except for guide, service, or signal dogs.

 

Seating & Tickets

Graduates may invite unlimited guests to celebrate their achievement.

Starting this year, tickets are required for commencement but can be reserved in any quantity. Graduating students can reserve tickets through their Marching Order/Tassel account using this link.

Seating is on a first come, first-served basis. The commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 AM, and entry to Alumni Park will open approximately 3 hours prior to the start of the ceremony.

In Absentia

If you are unable to attend the commencement ceremony but wish to have your name read during the commencement ceremony, please submit your information no later than Friday, April 11. Graduates do not need to attend to have their degree conferred. Diplomas will be mailed to you at the diploma address on file approximately 120 days after degrees are conferred on May 3. Make sure you have a valid mailing address recorded with OneStop to ensure you receive your diploma. If you would like to pick up your diploma instead of having it mailed to you, please contact OneStop.

Livestream

The Seaver College commencement ceremony will be broadcast online, live, and on-demand for future viewing. The livestream will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the commencement ceremony and can be viewed on the commencement website.

Traffic & Getting to Campus

Because more than 9,000 people are expected to attend the commencement ceremony, you are encouraged to arrive early. On Commencement Day, the traffic in and around Malibu, particularly through Malibu Canyon Road & Kanan Dume Road, is extremely heavy. This year in particular will face the added challenge of PCH being closed, so graduates and guests are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow themselves extra time due to expected traffic delays. Please plan to arrive on campus no later than 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony to ensure that you are at Alumni Park for the beginning of the ceremony. It is important to allow adequate time to travel to Pepperdine University, park, and then either walk or catch a free campus shuttle to the ceremony area. The walk/shuttle ride from the parking areas to the designated commencement space can take up to 30 minutes.

For those interested in dropping off graduates or family members close to the ceremony site prior to parking, a designated pick-up/drop-off area will be available at the following location:

Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations:
Flag Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fortmhbTMUNtJ2836 

Minimal seating, water, and shaded cover will be available at the pick-up/ drop-off locations for those waiting. Guests planning to utilize the drop-off locations should plan to arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested. 

Drop-offs and pick-ups are prohibited on or in front of Alumni Park. Please do not attempt to stop or idle in the middle of any campus roads.

Parking

Graduation event parking is available on campus on a first-come, first-serve basis. A designated parking area in the Firestone Fieldhouse parking lot (parking lot P) will be available for guests with accessibility needs. Follow the directions of traffic control staff. Carpooling is recommended due to possible traffic delays and limited availability of parking. Shuttles will be in service, available at any marked campus shuttle stop. For more information, see the Parking and Shuttle Information page.

You may enter campus from either the Seaver entrance (off Malibu Canyon) or the John Tyler entrance (off PCH) and park as directed by traffic control personnel. Graduates and guests can park in all on-campus parking lots (with the exception of Special Guest & ADA designated lots), on-campus streets, and at the Drescher Graduate Campus on Via Pacifica. Permits are not required on campus during commencement, and all parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Please allow yourself ample time to park your vehicle and walk to the ceremony site. It should be noted that Pepperdine has lots of hills with minimal shade and walking around campus can take some time. Additionally, allow yourself plenty of time to navigate out of parking areas following the ceremony when you are considering making dining reservations. It can take up to 1 hour to exit campus following the ceremony. We encourage guests making reservations to make them for no earlier than 3 hours after the ceremony.

Shuttles & Ride Share

Free internal shuttles will be operating continuously throughout campus all day. Please check this map for the exact locations of all shuttle stops. 

Pepperdine is pleased to offer a complimentary breakfast reception and shuttle package for graduating seniors, their families, and their guests looking to beat the traffic rush. This package will include free parking at Pepperdine’s Calabasas Campus, a complimentary breakfast reception before the ceremony, access to exclusive Pepperdine swag and graduation memorabilia, and unlimited rides on our Malibu Canyon shuttles that will be looping between the parking area and the graduation ceremony entrance every 30 minutes. 

Shuttle service will run loops beginning at 7:00 AM and ending at 4:30 PM. This reception will be held at Pepperdine’s Calabasas Campus; see the address below:

Pepperdine Calabasas Campus
26750 Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91302 

This package is completely free, but space is limited. Please sign up using this form to make a reservation, and email samara.kleinfinger@pepperdine.edu with questions.

Finally, guests are encouraged to utilize ride-sharing apps whenever possible. Pepperdine is pleased to offer discount codes for both UBER & LYFT for guests on graduation day. It should be noted that these codes will only work on graduation day and for rides to/from the Malibu Campus.

Discount Codes & Links:

UBER
Discount Code: rtP9zksoUq9
Link: https://r.uber.com/rtP9zksoUq9 

LYFT
Discount Code: WAVES2025
Link: https://www.lyft.com/lp/WAVES2025 

Please use the following directions for all rideshare rides. Instruct all drivers to enter and exit campus through the Seaver entrance off Malibu Canyon. The designated rideshare pick-up/drop-off location is in the flag parking lot located directly in front of the Thornton Administrative Center.

Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations:
Flag Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fortmhbTMUNtJ2836 

Accessibility

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. We are pleased to offer accessible seating and parking plans for guests with limited stamina or mobility concerns attending commencement. Please consider bringing a wheelchair or transport chair for the comfort and safety of the guests, as our campus has many hills.

Vehicle Drop-Off Locations For Guests With Mobility Needs

Guests with mobility needs may be dropped off near the ceremony space at the designated pick-up/drop-off locations. 

Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations:
Firestone Fieldhouse Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/He2iNPAwmdB32Wv6A 
Flag Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fortmhbTMUNtJ2836 

No special pass is needed to utilize the drop-off locations. Minimal seating, water, and shaded cover will be available in these areas for those waiting. Once the guest is dropped off, the driver will be directed to park in an available campus lot. Guests planning to utilize the drop-off locations should plan to arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested. Again, drop-offs and pick-ups are prohibited on or in front of Alumni Park. Please do not attempt to stop or idle in the middle of any campus roads.

Designated Acceessible Parking Lots

Vehicles transporting guests with ADA or mobility needs may park in the designated accessible parking lot.

ADA Parking Lot Location:
Firestone Fieldhouse Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/He2iNPAwmdB32Wv6A 

Please note that those looking to access the ADA-designated lot should utilize the John Tyler campus entrance (off PCH) only as the other entrance will require guests to drive all the way around campus to enter the FFH lot.

In addition, accessible parking spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Golf carts will be available from the ADA lots for those with accessibility needs in getting to and from the ceremony area.

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating will be available for guests who may not be able to manage bleacher seating. No reservations or special tickets are required for accessible seating, but accessible seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ushers will be available to direct guests to accessible seating as needed.

For inquiries about accessibility, please email seavergraduation@pepperdine.edu.

Rainy Day Plan

The commencement ceremony will take place as scheduled unless extreme weather creates a safety hazard. In the event of rain, commencement will be moved to Firestone Fieldhouse.Due to extremely limited indoor seating, tickets will be required for admission. Each graduate will receive two guest tickets for entrance to Firestone Fieldhouse. Graduates' additional guests are strongly encouraged to view the ceremony via livestream from the convenience and comfort of their preferred off-campus location.

Be prepared for all types of weather with sunblock, umbrellas, fans, coats, hats, etc. In addition, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes for Pepperdine’s Hills! The weather tends to be cooler in the morning and then heats up in the afternoon. Do not underestimate the heat; be sure to drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade if you feel overheated. Free water stations will be available in the commencement area, but you are encouraged to bring your own as needed. Emergency medical personnel will also be present in the event of an emergency.

Baccalaureate Worship and Prayer Service

Baccalaureate will take place in Firestone Fieldhouse from 5:30pm to 6:30pm on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Photographs

Graduates will be photographed as they receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony by Grad Images. In the past, GradImages has been able to deliver proofs by email within 24 hours to graduates who indicate an email address on cards. Please use this photography service and remain seated during the ceremony.

Flowers

Friends and family have the opportunity to purchase flowers for their graduates on the day of commencement or reserve them ahead of time. Please visit the Commencement Group website to pre-order and pickup at graduation.

Financial Information

It is important to clear all financial obligations with the Library, the Student Health Center, the Student Accounts Office, and the Financial Aid Office prior to graduation. For Student Accounts information, call 310.506.8000. If you have borrowed a Federal Direct Stafford, Federal Perkins, or Pepperdine Institutional loan at any time while at Pepperdine, please complete an online Loan Exit Counseling session prior to graduation. For additional information, visit Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling Information web page.

Senior Surveys

All graduating seniors will be asked to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). This is a follow-up survey to the survey you completed during your first year at Pepperdine. A survey invitation will be sent to your Pepperdine email address on February 13, 2025. You will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card for completing the survey by March 29. For more information, please contact Jazmin Zane in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

All graduating seniors will be asked to complete the First Destination Graduation Survey (opens on April 7). Students who complete the survey before graduation will be entered into a raffle for a prize from the Seaver College Career Center.

Announcements

Students may order graduation announcements online at herff.ly/pepperdine. Contact Herff Jones at 800.837.4235 for additional information.

Academic Receptions

Please see the Graduation Schedule web page for details.

Graduation Schedule

The complete graduation schedule can be found on the schedule page. 

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