UVA alumni step up to support Final Exercises

Dennis is one of more than 100 alumni and family members volunteering at this year’s Final Exercises. It’s part of a new outreach effort that started with a conversation between Andrea Devine, senior director for volunteer engagement in UVA’s External Relations office, and Cecil Banks, executive director of UVA’s Office of Major Events. Devine wondered what would happen if the University asked alumni living within an hour of Charlottesville to come back and help. The appeal was simple: Remember how special your own walk down the Lawn felt? Here’s your chance to experience it again through the eyes of the Class of 2026.

Robert Tai, left, a former assistant professor in UVA’s School of Education and Human Development, and Dennis celebrate during the 2023 Final Exercises. (Contributed photo)

“We didn’t know how it would be received,” Devine said. “We’ve never done a big calling for alumni to contribute or volunteer in this way.” 

The response quickly erased any doubt. They met their volunteer quota within two days of the emails going out.

For Banks, the turnout was no surprise. “As an alumnus, I know how special UVA is,” he said. “We have the most dedicated and generous alumni in the world. They remember how special and memorable their walk down the Lawn was, and I think they want to make it special for the Class of 2026.”

Volunteers will be stationed across Grounds in three key areas – information tents, ticket assistance and the balloon brigade. The brigade collects the personalized balloons many have with them as they walk the Lawn and helps deliver them to patients at UVA Health Children’s. RMC event staff will continue assisting at guest entrances and providing usher support.

For Devine, the volunteer effort carries a message that goes beyond logistics. “We couldn’t do it without them. This is really important to our students – the value of giving back.”

That spirit of giving back is exactly what brought Dennis back to Grounds. Having volunteered at previous graduation ceremonies when he was an undergraduate, he knew what the day looked like from the other side. But nothing quite prepared him for what it felt like to be the one walking the Lawn.

Volunteers will serve as members of the balloon brigade during Final Exercises, collecting the personalized balloons graduates carry as they walk the Lawn. Additional volunteers will be stationed at information tents and ticket assistance areas across Grounds to answer questions, help guests navigate the location and assist with event needs. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

His advice to this year’s graduates is straightforward: Put the phone down, at least for a few minutes, and take it in.

“It’s going to be tempting to take pictures and record,” Dennis said, “but just take in everything that’s happening in that present moment. There will be pictures – just keep it in your memory as a graduate.”