The Chancellor’s Recognition Ceremony for December Degree Candidates is scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

The 161st Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

Details about the celebration will be confirmed as we continue to monitor COVID-19 safety recommendations and public health conditions. Please check this website periodically for all event updates. For the university’s ongoing COVID-19 response and frequently asked questions, visit the WashU Together website.

Celebrate the Class of 2020, May &
December Graduates

Watch the livestream recordings.

Download photos, social stickers, printables, and zoom backgrounds for the Class of 2020.

Celebrate the Class of 2021, May Graduates

Watch the livestream recordings.

Download photos, social stickers, printables, and zoom backgrounds for the Class of 2021.

Individual School Recognition Ceremonies

Each school is hosts their own individual recognition ceremonies. Links to those ceremonies are here.

Commencement Speakers

Class of 2020 Speaker

2020 Speaker

Class of 2021 Speaker

2021 Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients

University Commencement Speaker Archives

Recent Communications

Washington University Commencement Registration Open Now

March 5, 2021
Good afternoon Class of 2020 and 2021 graduates,  I sincerely hope that each of you were as excited to receive the latest Commencement announcement as we were to send it. St. Louis County has approved Washington University to host in-person ceremonies of 500 graduates or less, on Francis Field, with two guests per graduate. We are thrilled […]

Plans for Commencement, 2/26/21

and February 26, 2021
Dear Members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, As we shared with you last month, we’ve been hard at work making plans to celebrate you and your accomplishments at Commencement ceremonies to be held in St. Louis this May. We appreciate your patience as we’ve explored what would be possible given the continuing uncertainty of […]

Commencement Update, 1/12/21

and January 12, 2021
Dear Members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, Amid all the challenges the past year has brought, one of the bright spots for us here at Washington University has been looking forward to celebrating your accomplishments at Commencement ceremonies for all of you. We have been busy preparing for ceremonies to be held here […]

Questions?

Please visit our FAQ page for the May ceremonies, which covers a variety of commonly asked questions.

View FAQ