UW News

Commencement


June 10, 2023

Thousands cheer on UW graduates as more than 7,000 degrees conferred at Husky Stadium

2023 graduates in their hats and gowns at husky stadium

More than 7,000 degrees were conferred to University of Washington graduates Saturday at the 148th Commencement at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.


June 6, 2023

UW celebrates Class of 2023 as thousands expected to march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park

graduates celebrating

Months after the Class of 2023 began their college careers, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, upending their lives. Now, on the eve of their graduation, they emerge into a world much changed by the global health crisis. 


April 12, 2023

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to address UW’s Class of 2023

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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will deliver the 2023 Commencement address for the 148th  ceremony, which takes place June 10 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.


June 12, 2022

Video: Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 honored in weekend graduation celebrations

Man in a crowd wearing cap and gown waves his diploma in the air.

On Saturday, for the first time since 2019, the UW held in-person Commencement ceremonies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium where the University conferred degrees on the Class of 2022. On Sunday, it welcomed alumni from the 2020 and 2021 school years for a Return to Husky Stadium Graduation Celebration.


June 3, 2022

UW graduation celebrations include 147th Commencement and Return to Husky Stadium festivities

campus mascot

Cue the band: It’s time for “Pomp and Circumstance.”

There will be flowing robes and purple-and-gold tassels. The gonfalons, symbols of the 16 colleges and schools that make up the University of Washington, have been unfurled and prepared. Campus is being adorned and the iconic Drumheller Fountain soon will again be cast in a purple glow.


April 22, 2022

Former UW Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Robert Stacey to deliver address for classes of 2020 and 2021 on June 12

man in coat and tie

Former UW Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Robert Stacey will speak to the graduates of the classes of 2020 and 2021 when they return to Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for an in-person celebration on Sunday, June 12.


April 13, 2022

Tony Award-winning producer and actor Ron Simons to deliver 2022 Commencement address

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Four-time Tony Award-winning producer Ron Simons, a University of Washington alumnus who is well known for his work on Broadway and in Hollywood, will deliver the 2022 Commencement address for the 147th ceremony, which takes place at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium on June 11.


March 2, 2022

UW’s campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell announce the return of in-person commencement ceremonies

group photo

University of Washington’s 147th commencement ceremonies are scheduled to return this June to in-person celebrations in Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2019. Similar in-person commencement ceremonies are being planned for UW Bothell and UW Tacoma.


June 3, 2021

Anticipation builds for UW’s 146th commencement, to be held virtually

Fountain with light streaming in through the water

Drumheller Fountain is turning purple.

The iconic University of Washington landmark will be illuminated in the school’s signature color from dusk to dawn as the anticipation builds for the June 12 commencement ceremonies.

The special accent lighting is just one of many features the UW is adding to its already beautiful campus to provide graduates opportunities to pose for photos with family and friends. Special banners will hang on Suzzallo Library and the HUB, among other locations. Sidewalks in the Quad and along Rainier Vista will be decorated and 4-foot-tall block Ws will be strategically placed making already terrific photo ops even better.


Renowned marine scientist and former NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco to speak at 2021 commencement

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Renowned marine scientist, University of Washington alumna and former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco will deliver the 2021 UW virtual commencement address on June 12.


July 2, 2020

Commencement, UW’s biggest celebration, reimagined as an online event

photos in caps and gowns on green lawn

Sara Griggs describes how the UW Office of Ceremonies moved its biggest event online for the unique circumstances of the quarantine restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.


June 13, 2020

Video: UW’s 145th commencement is held virtually

college of arts and sciences graduates appear virtually during the webcast

More than 18,000 new University of Washington graduates were recognized in a first-ever online ceremony Saturday, June 13. All three UW campuses held a joint event that was broadcast around the globe and watched by thousands of graduates and their families in more than 40 countries.


Soundbites & B-roll: UW’s 2020 virtual commencement

More than 18,000 new University of Washington graduates were recognized in a first-ever online ceremony Saturday. All three UW campuses held a joint event that was broadcast around the globe and watched by thousands of graduates and their families in more than 40 countries.


June 11, 2020

UW’s 145th commencement to be held virtually on Saturday

For the first time in the University of Washington’s 159-year history, two commencement ceremonies are planned for this year’s graduates. The first ceremony, broadcast worldwide on the internet, is scheduled for Saturday at noon. The second ceremony is planned for spring 2021 at Husky Stadium.


June 18, 2019

Soundbites: UW Commencement 2019

More than 6,000 graduates attended the University of Washington’s 144th commencement ceremonies held June 15 at Husky Stadium. UW President Ana Mari Cauce presided as nearly 13,795 degrees were conferred.


June 14, 2019

Video: Largest-ever class graduates from UW

Crowds of students at commencement

More than 8,000 graduates attended the University of Washington’s 144th commencement ceremonies on Saturday.


June 10, 2019

Golden State Warriors President and COO Rick Welts to speak at UW’s 144th commencement on Saturday

A record 5,900 graduates, along with 50,000-plus family members, friends, faculty and other observers, are expected to attend the 144th University of Washington commencement ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Husky Stadium.


June 8, 2017

Distinguished educator and humanitarian Dr. Johnnetta Cole to speak at UW’s 142nd Commencement Saturday

New graduates celebrate during the 141st commencement ceremony in 2016

About 5,700 graduates, along with 50,000-plus family members, friends, faculty and other observers, are expected to attend the 142nd University of Washington commencement ceremonies June 10 at Husky Stadium.