At the school celebrations students are called individually to cross the stage, however, degrees are not conferred. Each school organizes its own celebration. If graduates have any questions about the celebration, they should contact their school directly. 

 

The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at Charles E. Smith Center. 

 

This ceremony honors doctoral candidates for the accomplishments that they have made to acquire the highest earned degrees – Doctor of Philosophy; Doctor of Psychology; Doctor of Science; Doctor of Education; Doctor of Public Health; and Doctor of Nursing Practice - available in the world of learning.

 

A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in Oglethorpe Great Hall, Duquès Hall.  Candidates should wear their academic regalia to the ceremony. Hoods will be given to each candidate before the ceremony and formally presented during the ceremony

 

Candidates will receive ten (10) guest tickets.  Please review the Ticket Distribution Schedule for additional information.  If candidates need extra tickets, they can add their information to the wait list.

 

The wait list does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis.  Instead, if extra tickets are made available everyone on the list will receive an equal number of tickets.  Individuals who have been wait-listed for extra tickets will be notified after May 1, 2013. 

 

Regalia can be rented at the GW Bookstore between Wednesday, May 15 and Saturday, May 18.  Emergency rentals only on Sunday, May 19. 

 

All regalia rental returns can be either mailed to the bookstore or dropped off at the bookstore during normal business hours on Friday, May 17 through Saturday, May 18.  In addition, drop off bins will be set up in front of the bookstore, from when the bookstore closes until 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17. 

 

If you plan to participate in Commencement on the National Mall, scheduled on Sunday, May 19, regalia rental returns can also be dropped off the following week at the bookstore. 

 

Candidates may pick up their diplomas after Commencement on the National Mall in the Registrar’s Office, Colonial Central, located on the Marvin Center Ground Floor, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Candidates will need to present a valid photo ID to claim their diploma.  Alternatively, diplomas may be picked up the following week, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Registrar’s Office, Colonial Central. Doctoral diplomas not picked up by Friday, May 24, will be mailed to candidates’ diploma addresses.

 

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the country.  GW students who place in the top ten percent of the senior class and the top one percent of the junior class are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa by the president of the university. 

 

The Phi Beta Kappa Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. in Lisner Auditorium. 

 

This event is by invitation only and tickets are required.  Please contact University Honors Program at (202) 994-6816 or by email.