MAY 2025 GRADUATION DATE:
- Monday, May 12, 2025 | Time – 4:30 p.m.
Policies 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 will be emailed to you with the subject line “IMPORTANT: Ticket for Olin….”. Please forward this ticket to all 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
Monday, May 12, 2025
The Graduate Programs Graduation Recognition Ceremony will occur on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Athletic Complex, Field House. The Graduate keynote speaker for this event is Lal Karsanbhai (MBA 1995), and the student speaker is Daniel Sullivan (MBA 2025). A reception immediately follows in the Knight Hall Atrium.
For clarification, there are two separate events on Monday. The first is the University-wide Commencement, which will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the Francis Olympic Field, rain or shine. Questions regarding the University-wide Commencement event should be directed to the Commencement Office at 314-935-8186 or the Commencement Website at http://www.commencement.wustl.edu/. Tickets are required to attend commencement.
The second event is Olin’s Graduate Programs Graduation Recognition Ceremony. This ceremony is for Olin Business School graduates only, highlighting student and faculty awards and honors. There is an elected student speaker, and Olin students present Olin faculty with awards. Each degree candidate crosses the stage. The ceremony will be held in the Athletic Complex Field House and begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are required to attend this ceremony. There will be a reception for graduates and their guests in Knight Hall and Bauer Hall immediately following the ceremony.
If you have any questions about Olin’s graduation event, please get in touch with olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu.
File Your Intent To Graduate
To graduate in May 2025, you must have filed your intent by December 19, 2024. You can do this in WebSTAC. Please get in touch with 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 has opened. You should have received an email from olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu with information on registering. Registration will close on Wednesday, April 16. Please fill out the form even if you will not be attending.
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 get in touch with your Program Office or email: olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu.
Regalia (Cap and Gown)
DEADLINE FOR REGALIA RENTAL: Friday, April 4, 2025
An important tradition of the graduation ceremony is the academic regalia. The deadline to reserve your regalia with the Campus Store is Friday, April 4. 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 314-935-5500.
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 19, at 5:00 p.m. CT 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 emailed by mid-June. 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 19), and you will receive notification once your diploma has been shipped. **International diploma shipments could be 8+ weeks, 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.
Arrival and Seating
The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. Plan to arrive at the Athletic Complex no later than 4:00 p.m. Please do not bring a bag or purse to the ceremony. Refer to our bag and prohibited items policies at the top of this page.
You MUST pick up your name card at the tables in the Athletic Complex, Sumers Gym elevated track on the ceremony day. You can do this beginning at 3:30 p.m. You’ll be asked to confirm your name and post-graduation address’s accuracy during this time. 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.
Volunteers will direct you into line for the procession. You should plan to be in line by 3:15 p.m. There is no need for the line to be in alphabetical order, but we will separate the Specialized Masters, MBA, and PMBA students into three groups to process into the ceremony. The student marshals and award winners will lead the procession of graduates into the Field House.
Order of Ceremony
- Processional
- Welcome
- Keynote Speaker – Lal Karsanbhai, MBA 1995
- Student Speaker – Daniel Sullivan
- Presentation of Faculty Awards
- Presentation of Candidates and Student Awards
- Closing Remarks
- Recessional
Presentation of Candidates
A Row Monitor wearing a red lanyard will signal your row when it’s time to stand and proceed to the stage. One row at a time, starting with the first row of Section One, students will proceed to the steps on the left of the stage. The Student Marshal will lead the first row. Section One will graduate first, followed by Section Two. Please form an orderly line to prevent blocking any guests’ view of the stage, particularly those sitting on the lower bleacher seats.
As your turn approaches to go across the stage, hand your name card to the person at the left side of the lectern for your name to be announced. After your name has been read, walk to center stage to the Dean. You will take a photo with the Dean as he holds a prop diploma cover. Your name and degree(s) will be shown on the large screen during this time.
Proceed down the stairs on the opposite side of the stage. A photographer will take two photos of you holding a diploma cover. Finally, return to your seat by entering your row at the end opposite where you exited. You will not keep the diploma cover used in photographs. Your diploma cover will be mailed with your degree certificate.
Graduates are to remain seated until all degrees are awarded. Once the Dean ends the ceremony, please rise when Pomp and Circumstance begins and remain standing at your seat until all the stage participants have passed. You will recess out following the stage participants, beginning with the front row and continuing until all graduate seats are empty. The ceremony is complete when all stage participants and graduates have recessed from the gym.
After the Ceremony
When the ceremony is finished, recess out of the Field House and join your family at the reception in the Knight Hall Atrium.
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, see Washington 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, we recommend it. Exit at the Skinker Station 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/.
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
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.
For More Information
If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please get in touch with us at olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu
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