Spring 2024 graduation
Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony
Each semester, graduating veteran students are invited to take part in the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony. This event symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, typically evoking feelings of accomplishment and pride. It's a time to celebrate with family and friends and reminisce on the memories made at ASU — the friendships forged, the challenges surmounted and the personal growth experienced.
After applying for graduation, you can register for the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony (as well as other graduation ceremonies) through My ASU. Simply navigate to the Graduation tab in the My Programs section and click on the maroon button labeled “Register for your Ceremonies.”
Stole Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions
Registration opens February 26. Registration for all ceremonies will close April 15
May 4, 2024 from 2-4pm in Gammage Auditorium.
Like other graduation ceremonies, you will go to the RSVP Ceremonies link on My ASU. The link will be accessible once registration is open. For step-by-step instructions, click here.
No, but you will be required to register and indicate your guest count. You are welcome to bring as many guests as you like.
Business casual. Do not bring your cap and gown to this ceremony. There will be a group photo taken shortly after the ceremony.
For additional details about the commencement week schedule, click here.
Students are granted only one veteran stole, regardless of how many ASU degrees they receive. You may walk in the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony once.
Please contact Michelle Loposky at ptvcadvocate@asu.edu.
No. At this time, we are not providing veteran stoles prior to the event. We ask that you complete the registration through My ASU and indicate which graduation ceremonies you plan to attend or if you cannot attend any ceremonies during commencement week.
Those who will not be at any graduation ceremonies will be notified when veteran stoles will be available for pickup or mailing. Please note, mailings will occur 4–6 weeks after graduation week (for requested mailings only), and pickups will occur after December 18, 2023. Thank you for your understanding.
Be sure to review ASU’s Bag Policy for what is and isn’t allowed.
Graduation celebrations
ASU will celebrate graduating students with in-person events this May. Visit the Commencement and Convocation site for a full listing of college convocation and special interest ceremonies.
The Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony celebrating graduating student veterans will be held on May 4 at 2 p.m. at Gammage on ASU’s Tempe campus. An RSVP link will be shared when it comes available.
Keynote Speaker
Vern “Rusty” Findley
Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force, Retired
Lieutenant General Vern “Rusty” Findley, USAF (Retired), brings over 35 years of active military service, culminating in roles such as Vice Commander of Air Mobility Command, Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy for Headquarters, U.S. Central Command, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Plans, and Assessment for Multi-National Force-Iraq. Following his retirement, General Findley established VMFindley Consulting LLC, where he specializes in defense industry consultation. He holds degrees from Arizona State University, the University of North Dakota, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, with additional training from Johns Hopkins University and Syracuse University. Beyond his consultancy, General Findley is dedicated to veteran employment and education as Vice Chairman of the Board for an Arizona non-profit and serves as Chairman of the Board for WG Henschen, a Scottsdale-based aerospace distributor.
Featured student speaker
Jonathan Lu
2020 Tillman Scholar
Jonathan, a first-generation immigrant, joined the U.S. Army as a combat medic driven by the American dream. His experiences during deployments in Iraq highlighted the need for better behavioral healthcare for soldiers. Inspired to effect change, he became a Special Forces medical sergeant, identifying factors affecting soldiers' health outcomes. Now a Special Forces team sergeant, Jonathan remains dedicated to advancing behavioral health advocacy for service members. Pursuing a doctorate in behavioral health, he strives to improve health integration in the military and support healthcare initiatives within his community, including for nurses and firefighters.
Honoring student veterans at ASU
At the end of each semester, the Pat Tillman Veterans Center and the ASU Alumni Association recognize student veteran graduates with the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony. Every year the ceremony grows larger, with more than 150 graduates and 700+ guests in attendance this year. It is a point of pride for our student veterans and their families.