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Graduation Information for Families and Guests

Undergraduate Students

The College of Arts & Sciences will hold its Recognition Ceremony for undergraduate students in historic Francis Olympic Field on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. At this ceremony, undergraduate students will be called individually by name to process across the stage. This is a rain or shine event. We expect the ceremony should conclude around 11 a.m. and students are encouraged to stay for the duration of the ceremony.

Our ceremony will require tickets for entry for all guests. A copy of the ticket was emailed to students participating in the ceremony and families from the College of Arts & Sciences. Students can forward a copy of the ticket to their guests. Guests will need to show a printed copy or a digital copy of the ticket at the entrance gate upon entry.

Graduate Students

The Office of Graduate Studies will hold the Arts & Sciences Hooding and Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. in Graham Chapel. The Hooding & Recognition Ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of those who have completed a PhD or master’s degree in departments and programs in Arts & Sciences. Students will be recognized and cross the stage individually.

Our ceremony will require tickets for entry for all guests. A copy of the ticket was emailed to students participating in the ceremony from the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences. Students can forward a copy of the ticket to their guests. Guests will need to show a printed copy or a digital copy of the ticket at the entrance gate upon entry.

Please note that the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Science (DBBS) will have a separate Hooding and Recognition ceremony on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. in Graham Chapel. All graduating DBBS students should attend the DBBS Hooding ceremony, graduate students from all other A&S departments and programs should register and attend the graduate hooding ceremony on Wednesday. 


Alternate Viewing Options

Both ceremonies will be streamed live to additional locations on campus, and the ceremonies may also be viewed from off campus, using the livestream links below.  

For the undergraduate ceremony, we anticipate having more than enough seating on Francis Field for all families and guests, however depending on the weather some guests may find the indoor viewing location to be more comfortable. Indoor viewing will be available in Seigle Hall L006, Simon Hall, Room 1, Wrighton Hall, Room 300 and Tisch Commons in the DUC.

For the graduate ceremony and due to space limitations in Graham Chapel, we are asking each graduate student to limit the amount of in-person guests at the ceremony to four (4) per graduate. We will also livestream the ceremony on campus, so if you have a large group of people planning to attend the ceremony we ask that you plan to have guests over the limit plan to watch from the livestream location. The graduating student will be asked to indicate how many guests they expect to have attend the ceremony during the registration process. 


 


 

 

Guest Policies for A&S Ceremonies

Ticketing Policy

Both the undergraduate and graduate Arts & Sciences ceremonies will required tickets for entry.

More information on the ticketing policy and obtaining tickets

Bag Policy

WashU prohibits all bags, backpacks, and other carriers. Students may not carry any bags into the ceremony. Guests are strongly encouraged not to bring bags. All bags must meet our bag policy requirements. All approved bags are subject to inspection upon entry. Guests with bags or items that do not satisfy the bag policy will need to return their bags or items to their vehicle. WashU will not be providing clear bags.

Review the Bag Policy

Prohibited Items

Many items are prohibited in all university and school ceremonies and events, and are subject to confiscation.

Review the list of prohibited items

Parking

Drop Off and Ride Share Services

All guests are strongly encouraged to take a hotel shuttle, taxi, or ride-sharing service. Shuttles, Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers may drop off guests at the Clocktower on the South 40 (6614 Shepley Drive, Clayton, MO 63105) and guests will be guided to the ceremony via the underpass. See the information below for dropping off those with accessibility needs.

See the Campus Map for Drop Off Locations

Undergraduate Ceremony

For undergraduate students, visitors may park in the following university parking garages: the East End, Millbrook, and Snow Way.  Parking in the Danforth University Center Garage is available to those displaying a state-issued accessible placard or license plate.

See the Campus Map for Parking Lot Locations

Graduate Ceremony

For the graduate ceremony, parking for guests is recommended in the Danforth University Center Garage but also available in the following university parking garages: Millbrook and Snow Way.

See the Campus Map for Parking Lot Locations

Food and Beverage Policies

Please note, no food or beverages are allowed at either of the A&S ceremony sites (Francis Olympic Field or Graham Chapel) for graduates, families, visitors, faculty, or staff. This includes any beverages purchased on campus prior to the ceremony. Water stations will be available on Francis Olympic Field but disposable cups will be limited, we encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottles.

Additional Details

Undergraduate Ceremony

Washington University is committed to being a national leader in sustainability. Four refillable water stations will be located in close proximity to the ceremony: two on the east side of Francis Olympic Field, one on the west side of Francis Olympic Field, and one by the north entrance of Simon Hall. We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle and refill them at any of the water stations.

The closest restroom locations to the Arts & Sciences undergraduate ceremony are located in Seigle Hall, Simon Hall, and the Athletic Complex. These buildings will remain open to the public throughout the day. Restrooms will also be available on Francis Olympic Field, but with limited capacity. 

At the undergraduate ceremony, graduates will be recognized individually by major. A professional photographer photographs each graduate, and the proofs are emailed to students shortly after the ceremony. We expect the ceremony should conclude between 11 and 11:30 a.m.

Please contact the College of Arts & Sciences with questions at 314-935-6800 or artsci-asrecog@email.washu.edu. 

Graduate Ceremony

The closest restroom locations to the Arts & Sciences graduate ceremony are located in the Danforth University Center (DUC)  and in the basement of Graham Chapel. Students checking in should use the restroom in the Danforth University Center (DUC) until the start of the ceremony. Guests should use the Graham Chapel basement.  

Washington University is committed to being a national leader in sustainability. Four refillable water stations will be located in close proximity to the ceremony: one south of Eads Hall, one north of Mudd Field, one south of Cupples II Hall, and one by the north entrance of Simon Hall. Please bring refillable water bottles and refill them at any of the aforementioned locations. Please note that no food or beverages are allowed inside Graham Chapel. 

A professional photographer photographs each graduate, and the proofs are emailed to students shortly after the ceremony. The ceremony should conclude about 5:00 p.m, with a brief reception to follow in Bowles Plaza.

Please contact the Arts & Sciences Office of Graduate Studies at (314) 935-6880 or artscigrads@wustl.edu. 

Accessibility

General information, including accessibility maps and information about buildings on campus can be found on our Facilities website. 

For those needing to drop off guests with accessibility needs, please enter via Forsyth Boulevard and northbound Wallace Drive and follow the posted signage to the designated drop-off location.  

Accessible parking is available to those displaying a state-issued accessible placard or license plate in the Danforth University Center Garage (DUC). Accessible parking in the DUC Garage may only be accessed via northbound Wallace Drive off Forsyth Boulevard.

Sign Language

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during the A&S ceremonies and during the all-university commencement ceremony.

Wheelchair Reservations

We will have a limited number of wheelchairs available for each of the Arts & Sciences ceremonies. They are  available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be made using the forms below before Monday, May 4, 2026.  

Reservation form for the A&S Graduate Hooding Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Reservation form for the A&S Undergraduate Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026. 

Accessible Seating

For the undergraduate ceremony, the entrances into Francis Olympic Field are accessible. Once inside the field, ushers will be available to assist with seating. 

For the graduate ceremony, the entrance into Graham Chapel is accessible. Once inside the Chapel, ushers will be available to assist with seating. 

Accessibility maps with more information about buildings on campus can be found on our  Facilities website. 

Golf Carts

To meet the needs of guests requiring transportation assistance before and immediately following the ceremonies, golf carts will circulate around the interior of the Danforth Campus on the day of each ceremony. 

Looking for information for ceremony participants?

See Our Student Information Page