MAY 2025 GRADUATION DATES:
- EMBA (Class 59): Friday, May 2, 2025 | Time – TBD
- Olin Undergraduate: Sunday, May 11, 2025 | Time – TBD
- Olin Graduate Programs: Monday, May 12, 2025 | Time – TBD
***Not updated with May 2025 Graduation information yet***
New! Policy changes for Commencement and Olin Graduation Ceremonies.
WashU has implemented several policy changes for the safety and convenience of our community during the university ceremony and Olin recognition ceremonies.
Anyone (graduates, guests, faculty, and staff) attending one of Olin’s graduation ceremonies must have a ticket. There is a unique ticket for each of Olin’s ceremonies.
Graduates: A ticket was emailed to you on May 3rd with the subject line “IMPORTANT: Ticket for Olin….”. Please forward this ticket to your guests who are attending your ceremony.
Guests: Reach out to your graduate to send you a copy of the ticket for the Olin ceremony.
Graduates may not bring any bags of any type onto Francis Olympic Field, or into the school ceremonies.
Guests are strongly encouraged not to bring bags. Only the following types of bags will be allowed:
- Clear plastic bags, not to exceed 14”x14”x4”. Clear bags will be available and free of charge in parking locations and at the ceremony entrances, for those who need them.
- Small clutch-type wallets or purses not to exceed 4”x6”. Diaper bags are allowed for those with small children, but will be inspected.
- Medically necessary equipment is permitted after inspection.
The following items are prohibited in all university and school ceremonies and events, and are subject to confiscation:
- Air horns and other artificial noisemakers
- Animals, except assistance animals
- Banners or signs larger than 2’x3’ (no poles of any kind will be allowed)
- Food and drink (except water)
- Firearms and weapons
- Laser lights
- Balloons, glitter and confetti
- Unmanned aircraft/drones
May 2024 Ceremonies
- Click here for more information on the EMBA Class 58 ceremony on Friday, May 3, 2024
- Click here for more information on the Olin BSBA ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2024
- Click here for more information on the Olin Graduate Programs ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2024
WashU Safe App
Download WashU Safe App and allow push notifications. For more information, click here.
File Your Intent To Graduate
To graduate in May 2024, you must have filed your intent by December 21, 2023. You can do this in WebSTAC. Please contact your program advisor if you are unsure about filing your intent.
Click here to watch a demonstration on how to file your intent to graduate.
Registration
Registration: Registration has not opened yet – It will open in mid-March 2024. You will receive an email to register when it opens. Registration will close on Wednesday, April 17th.
Registration to attend your graduation ceremony has not yet opened. When it opens, you will receive an email from olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu with registration instructions.
Click here to watch a demonstration on how to register to attend graduation.
FAQ
For our Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. If your question is not listed, please contact your Program Office or email: olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu.
Regalia (Cap and Gown)
DEADLINE FOR REGALIA RENTAL: Friday, April 19, 2024
An important tradition of the graduation ceremony is the academic regalia. The deadline to reserve your regalia with the Campus Store is Friday, April 19th. If you have already rented your regalia for the Chancellor’s Commencement Ceremony, you may also wear it for the Olin Graduation Recognition Ceremony.
- Bachelor rental cost: $57 + tax
- Master rental cost: $87 + tax
- Doctoral rental cost: $90 + tax
After your ceremony, you must return your regalia rental to the lower bookstore level. For questions, call the Campus Store customer service desk at 314-935-5606.
Diplomas
The registrar’s office will coordinate your diploma shipment once your degree is conferred by the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Martin. Please pay careful attention to the information below to ensure the delivery of your diploma.
- Diplomas will be shipped to your Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC. If you do not have a diploma mailing address listed, your diploma will be shipped to the home address listed on WebSTAC.
- Address changes made after Monday, May 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST will not be captured for diploma shipments.
You will NOT receive your diploma during the ceremony. The university offers certified electronic diplomas to all graduates along with your paper credentials. Your certified electronic diploma will be ordered on your behalf and will be emailed by 06/15/2024. Instructions on how to obtain and download your diploma will be sent to your @wustl.edu email address. Note: The link to download your degree expires, so be sure to download it when you receive the email. Your paper diploma will arrive approximately 8+ weeks after degree conferral (May 20th), and you will receive notification once your diploma has been shipped. **International diploma shipments could be affected depending on customs and international shipping restrictions. The Registrar’s office monitors this information closely and will communicate with graduates as needed.
Any additional questions or comments should be sent to diplomaservices@wustl.edu with your student ID number.
Guests
Tickets are required to attend. Your graduate was emailed the ticket on May 3rd and was instructed to send the ticket to all of their guests planning to attend the ceremony. There is no limit to the number of guests you can invite. The Field House is quite large and can easily accommodate all your guests.
Parking
Parking can be challenging on Commencement Day. Visitors may park in any area of the university parking lots and garages except for those designated as accessible parking or loading zones. For more information, be sure to look at Washinton University’s Maps, Direction, and Parking website.
The best parking for access to the Olin Graduation Ceremonies will be in the Snow Way Garage (enter off Big Bend at Snow Way) or the Millbrook Garage (enter off Forest Park Parkway). You can easily walk to the Athletic Complex from the top level of the Snow Way Garage by following the posted signs. MetroLink, the St. Louis light rail system, is an alternative to driving to the University. If MetroLink is convenient to your hotel or home, you are recommended to use it. Exit at the Skinker Station, which is located just east of the Brookings Hall parking lot, to attend the All-University Commencement Ceremony. Exit at the University City-Big Bend Station at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Big Bend Blvd., for a short walk to the Athletic Complex to attend the Olin Graduation Recognition Ceremony. MetroLink information is available at http://www.metrostlouis.org/.
Photographs
A photograph will be taken of you on stage, and then, as you exit the stage, there will be two posed photographs. Grad Images will email proof to your permanent email and mail a digital proof to your permanent address about one week following the ceremony. Any prints you order will be mailed to you. You are under no obligation to buy any prints. You may keep your digital image even if you do not order photos.
Before the ceremony, you’ll be asked to confirm the accuracy of your name and post-graduation address. Be sure to pick up your name card at the tables in the Athletic Complex, Sumers Gym elevated track. The card has three important details:
- A QR code that links to your pre-recorded name for the ceremony
- Your permanent email address to receive graduation photos
- Your diploma mailing address for the photographer to mail photos you may order
Please DO NOT BEND your name card. It will damage the QR code, causing your pre-recorded name not to play. Please confirm the accuracy of your name and post-graduation address, noting any corrections. Be careful not to misplace your name card; you need it during the ceremony.
Accessibility
Mobility Assistance
Sign up for mobility assistance or accessibility needs during graduation. The events team will contact all sign-ups a week before the upcoming ceremonies. Accessibility maps and information about buildings on campus can be found on our Facilities website.
Accessible Seating
Entrances into the Athletic Complex, Field House are accessible. Once inside, we marked several chairs on the floor for accessible seating.
Closed Captioning
Closed captioning will be available on our jumbotron screens during each Olin ceremony. There will also be an ASL interpreter on stage during each ceremony.
Emergency Services & Evacuation Plan
During the ceremony, ambulance services will stand by in case of any emergency. Anyone needing assistance should come to the entrance to the Field House or alert a volunteer for emergency assistance.
Click here for our severe weather shelter and evacuation plan.
For More Information
If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please contact us at olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu