April 26, 2023

Graduation season is here! It is one of our favorite times of the year. Vincennes University is excited to honor the Class of 2023, and we are thrilled to celebrate our graduates’ achievements, contributions, and spirit. More information is available at vinu.edu/commencement

1. 3 Days of Ceremonies!

2023 Spring Commencement on the Vincennes Campus is Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. (ET) at the P.E. Complex. The next ceremony is at the American Sign Language Campus in Indianapolis on Friday, May 5, at 4 p.m. Commencement at the Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis follows on May 5 at 7 p.m. VU Jasper hosts its Commencement on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m.

Honors Convocation is an annual celebration where students are recognized for their extraordinary academic achievements. The 2023 Honors Convocation is Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m. at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on the Vincennes Campus.

2. Commencement By The Numbers!

VU is awarding 2,065 bachelor’s and associate degrees in addition to certificates to students representing 77 of Indiana’s 92 counties, 25 states, and nine countries.

The graduates represent all VU sites, including the Vincennes Campus, VU Jasper, American Sign Language in Indianapolis, Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis, Early College, Distance Education, and Military Education.

3. Celebrating With The Graduates!

Graduates who purchase a cap and gown and are walking in the Vincennes Campus ceremony receive six tickets for their guests. Any remaining tickets will be available at the Old Post Bookstore beginning Thursday, April 27, on a first-come-first-served basis. Up to two additional tickets may be requested per day while supplies last.

If you are unable to attend in person but would love to celebrate your graduate’s achievement, the Commencement Ceremony at the Vincennes Campus will be live-streamed on the Vincennes University YouTube channel.

4. Show Your Trailblazer Pride on Social Media!

Help us celebrate #VUTrailblazers by sharing your experience on social media. If you are graduating or attending Commencement to celebrate with a grad, we want to hear about it. Share your posts with our hashtag: #VUGrad2023.

Where are the top spots on the Vincennes Campus for pics? Stop by the Updike Hall fountain or Vincennes University sign on Harrison St. by Alumni Walk or under the Vincennes University sign at the entrance of the P.E. Complex near the Intramural Fields.

5. Introducing Our Vincennes Campus Student Commencement Speaker!

Elaina Boston has accomplished a lot in her time as a VU student. The Child Development major has been a cheerleader, served as a student ambassador, made Homecoming court twice, worked as a lifeguard at the VU Aquatics Center, held the offices of president and secretary for the Campus Activities Board, acted as a student tour guide, has been heavily involved with Student Activities, and more. Now add student commencement speaker to her lengthy list. 

Boston, who is from Columbus, Indiana, is thrilled to be representing the Class of 2023.

“My speech expresses my gratitude for all that VU has to offer its students, not only preparing us for academic success but developing the necessary skills for all our life endeavors,” Boston says. “I want to encourage graduates to utilize the foundation VU has laid for them to progress into their future.”

Her post-VU plans include transferring to Purdue University. She plans to begin taking courses there this summer. After graduating from Purdue, her goals are to teach family and consumer science at the high school and later to become a professor.

Boston will leave VU with two degrees. She earned an associate degree in Family and Consumer Science Education from VU in 2022.

“VU has given me everything I need for that next step in my educational career,” she says. “I got to do so much while I was here and loved every minute of it.”

6. Meet Our 2023 Honorary Doctorate Recipients! 

Former State Senator Luke Kenley and former State Representative Dr. Tim Brown will be awarded honorary doctorates during the Vincennes Campus Commencement. Their work was impactful for the state of Indiana both in terms of economic growth and impact but also in terms of education.

Brown served as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee before retiring in 2022 after 28 years of public service. He is also a retired emergency room physician.

Kenley retired in 2017 from the Indiana Senate after serving since 1992. He was a fiscal leader and served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations during his tenure. He served in the United States Army, and was a Noblesville City Court Judge.

7. Smile and Say Cheese!

Grad Images photographers will take pictures of the happy graduates as they cross the stage. To view and purchase photos, visit the GradImages website at www.gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576.

VU will share an online photo gallery with images of the entire day on the University’s official SmugMug photography webpage at https://photo.vinu.edu/.

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