March 2, 2022
UW’s campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell announce the return of in-person commencement ceremonies
UW Commencement ceremonies are scheduled to return to Husky Stadium in 2022 for the first time since 2019. Graduates in this 2016 photo celebrate their achievement.Denise Wise/University of Washington
University of Washington’s 147th commencement ceremonies are scheduled to return this June to in-person celebrations in Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2019. Similar in-person commencement ceremonies are being planned for UW Bothell and UW Tacoma.
Two afternoon celebrations are planned in Seattle: The first, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, will recognize the class of 2022; the second, on Sunday, June 12, 2022, will welcome graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 who return to the Seattle campus to walk in person.
“We are thrilled beyond words to not only celebrate our outstanding class of 2022, but to at last come together with the classes of 2020 and 2021 and honor their extraordinary achievements and sacrifices during uniquely challenging times,” said Denzil Suite, UW’s vice president for Student Life. “This is a celebration of what’s to come, a recognition of what has been and really a tribute to the dynamism and resilience of our students and our UW community.”
Commencement ceremonies in 2020 and 2021 were held online due to public safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Campus officials pledged on-campus, in-person ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 once safety could be ensured. This year’s events will be held in accordance with local public health guidelines.
Each of UW’s three campuses plan to return to in-person commencement ceremonies. Check these websites for more details about ordering tickets and timing:
About 6,000 graduates typically march in the formal ceremony in Husky Stadium for both undergraduates and graduate students; more than 50,000 family and friends cheer them on from the grandstands. More than 4,000 graduates from the 2020 and 2021 years have expressed interest in returning to Seattle to officially mark their academic success, and officials expect tens-of-thousands of spectators.
There are also plans for two ceremonies each for UW Tacoma and UW Bothell to accommodate graduates from 2020, 2021 and 2022. UW Tacoma will host two ceremonies at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup on Monday, June 13. UW Bothell will hold two ceremonies at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Wednesday, June 15.
Tag(s): Commencement • Denzil Suite • UW Bothell • UW Tacoma
