The 162nd Commencement ceremony will take place on Monday, May 15, at 9 a.m. on Francis Olympic Field, rain or shine. Be sure to check the calendar of events for a full schedule of school and affinity ceremonies.
Please read the important information below and share this email with any guests who plan to attend Commencement.
Important information for you
- Register for Commencement, if you haven’t already.
- Regalia is required to participate in the ceremony.
- Allow ample time to arrive at your school’s assembly point by 8:30 a.m.
- The procession will begin promptly at 9 a.m.
- The ceremony will conclude around 11 a.m. All graduates will recess from Francis Olympic Field and should arrange to meet guests elsewhere on campus.
- An all-school Commencement festival will follow the ceremony and conclude at 3 p.m.
- University photos will be posted on Widen and videos on YouTube.
- Help the Career Center help you! Please take a moment to report your plans.
- Stay in touch as a WashU alum! Follow @WashUAlumni on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Important information for your guests
Getting to campus and parking
- Please review the campus map and detailed transportation and accessibility information.
- We strongly encourage guests to take a hotel shuttle, taxi, or ride-sharing service.
- Guests may park in the Snow Way, Millbrook, Shepley, Wallace, and East End garages.
- Accessible parking is available to those displaying a state-issued accessible placard or license plate in the Danforth University Center (DUC) Garage, accessible via Forsyth Boulevard at Wallace Drive.
Attending or viewing the ceremony
- Guests should bring a reusable water bottle to refill at water stations throughout campus. No food or beverage, other than water, will be allowed on Francis Olympic Field.
- The ceremony livestream will be available on the Commencement website.
- In-person guests should arrive by 7:30 a.m. to allow adequate travel time from parking areas.
- The Francis Olympic Field gates will open at 7:30 a.m.
- Guest seating will be behind and on the sides of the areas designated for graduates on Francis Olympic Field. Alternative viewing locations also are available.
- Guests should not block pathways or the area in front of the stage during the ceremony. There will be designated photography areas at the Commencement festival after the ceremony.
- There are several ways for others to honor your achievements and celebrate the occasion!
- Download the WashU Safe app, available in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to receive safety alerts and access emergency information.
- Looking to make a reservation at the Whittemore House, click here to learn more.
Visit our FAQ page for more information. If you have a Commencement question that needs a quick answer, scan the QR code below to text Tassel, our AI Chatbot!
Sincerely,
Your WashU Commencement team