Commencement on the National Mall

University Commencement brings together students from all of the George Washington University's (GW) schools and colleges for the conferral of their degrees. The ceremony takes place on the National Mall and is open to all graduates, from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, to celebrate their achievements. This event includes remarks from GW leadership and other distinguished speakers.

No individual names are announced and no graduates walk across the stage at this event. The deans will call each of their schools to rise as the degrees are ceremoniously conferred.

Summer and Fall Graduates

The university invites summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs to participate in Commencement Week events in May. As the only institution to hold a university-wide Commencement, GW is proud to devote its resources to offering graduates this #OnlyAtGW opportunity of a lifetime each spring, the traditional time of year for commencements.

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Accessibility

Visit our Accessibility page for information about accessibility at Commencement on the National Mall.

Alternate Site Plan

Commencement on the National Mall will be held as scheduled unless we are directed to move by the National Park Service or if conditions do not allow us to safely conduct the ceremony as planned.

If the ceremony moves to an alternate site, all graduates and members of the platform party should report to the Charles E. Smith Center, 600 22nd Street, NW.

Families and guests would watch the full ceremony online on the Commencement homepage.

The university will closely monitor the weather for Commencement on the Mall. In the event of severe weather or other circumstances necessitate a change to the ceremony, information and updates will be communicated through the following:

Text and email alerts through GW Alerts
GW's homepage and Campus Advisories
Social media via GW Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall as it is a public park. Please dispose of all waste in the proper trash or recycling containers available at the event site or take it with you when you leave.

Lost and Found

Items lost at Commencement on the National Mall should be turned into event staff for storage backstage until the end of the event. Notify an event staff member if you lose an item. If items are not claimed before the event ends, please contact the Commencement office at commencementgwu [dot] edu.

Parking

GW does not provide any graduate or guest parking at Commencement on the National Mall. A number of privately-owned parking garages are located within about half a mile of the Commencement site. Parking fees vary by location.

Photos and Video

No individual graduate names are called at Commencement on the National Mall and graduates do not walk across the stage. University-designated photographers and videographers will be onsite to capture the event. For the safety of all graduates, guests, and participants, they are the only ones allowed near, or on, the stage.

Commencement on the National Mall will be livestreamed on the Commencement homepage. The video, and photos from the event, will be available on the website after Commencement Week.

Graduates and guests are welcome, and encouraged, to take photos and video in all other locations at Commencement on the National Mall. Please tag the university’s social media accounts (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and use the hashtag #GWCommencement if you post them online.

Photo and Video Consent

Photos and/or videos of attendees will be taken and may be shared on university social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials. Review GW's Statement of Privacy Practices for more information.

If you have concerns, please contact University Events at ueventsgwu [dot] edu or 202-994-7470.

Restrooms

Portable toilets, including ADA-accessible units, will be available for guests at Commencement on the National Mall. They will include hand-washing stations.

Share Your Day

Capture and share moments from Commencement on the National Mall and other graduation events! Be sure to use the hashtag #GWCommencement and #OnlyatGW. Tag GW on Instagram @gwuniversity, on X (formerly Twitter) @GWtweets, or on the George Washington University’s facebook page.

WiFi Access

There is no WiFi available for graduates or guests at Commencement on the National Mall. Most major carriers have cellular access available on the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page.