Final
Exercises
2024 By the Numbers
Class of 2024, By the Numbers
(Illustrations by John DiJulio, University Communications)
They come from 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, two U.S territories and 118 countries. Members of the Class of 2024, both undergraduate and graduate students, will collect 7,616 degrees from the 12 schools at the University of Virginia.
Finals Weekend celebrations begin Friday afternoon with Valedictory Exercises at John Paul Jones Arena. The program begins at 3:30. University Awards and the class gift will be bestowed and the class will hear from keynote speaker Ryan Zimmerman, an alumnus who helped the MLB’s Washington Nationals win the 2019 World Series.
UVA’s main graduation celebrations on the Lawn are Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, students in the College of Arts & Sciences, the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the School of Education and Human Development will hear from popular psychology professor Daniel Willingham. Sunday, UVA’s nine remaining schools with hear from keynote speaker Risa Goluboff, the outgoing dean of the School of Law.
The weekend weather forecast calls for rain both Saturday and Sunday. Lawn ceremonies will only be moved to John Paul Jones Arena in the event of extreme weather including thunder, lightning, high winds or other dangerous conditions.
The University will make a decision no later than 5:30 a.m. and communicate that on virginia.edu, the Office of Major Events' website, and the University’s social media accounts: X, Facebook and Instagram.
7,616
Total Number of Degrees Awarded
4,394
Total Number of Baccalaureate Degrees
Breaking Down the Degrees
The University will bestow 4,394 baccalaureate degrees to students during Finals Weekend. Of those, 210 were earned in three years. Ten students earned their degrees in two or fewer years.
UVA will award 443 first professional degrees, 299 of them Juris Doctor and 144 Doctor of Medicine. The University will award 2,779 graduate degrees to the Class of 2024.
More than 1,000 first-generation students, graduate and undergraduate combined, are earning degrees.
Undergrad Degrees by School
Graduate and Professional Degrees
436
Ph.Ds
299
JDs
144
MDs
10
Degrees Earned in Two Years
1,092
First Generation College Graduates
19
Age of Youngest Graduates (there are six!)
71
Age of Oldest Graduate
Sustainable Finals, Water Bottles and Balloons
The Office of Major Events partners with UVA Sustainability to reduce waste during Finals Weekend.
“Reusable water bottles will be allowed through guest security gates as long as the bottles are completely empty,” said Lela Garner, the student outreach and engagement manager for UVA Sustainability.
6,000
16oz Water Bottles Saved
Guests will notice several blue water towers once they enter the Lawn. “They have the capacity to fill 6,000 16-ounce water bottles and play a helpful role in reducing single-use plastic waste,” Garner said.
UVA also encourages graduates to refrain from bringing balloons to Final Exercises. “Although balloons contribute to the festive atmosphere during celebrations, they can create logistical challenges by obstructing access to assembly areas, disrupting processions and blocking views for many,” Garner said.
500
Balloons Diverted to UVA Health Children’s
“Our Balloon Brigade volunteers will collect items and deliver them to UVA Health Chidren’s and other community organizations,” she said. “The Balloon Brigade team can divert approximately 500 balloons, equivalent to filling an entire classroom in New Cabell Hall.”
Balloons are prohibited in John Paul Jones Arena.
Media Contact
University News Senior Associate Office of University Communications
jak4g@virginia.edu (434) 243-9935
Article Information
January 17, 2025
