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Commencement 2012

Thursday, May 17, to Sunday, May 20, 2012

Click here for a schedule of events!  Book your hotel today!

The George Washington University Commencement Weekend comprises:

  • All-university ceremony held outdoors on Sunday, May 20
    • This ceremony brings graduates from all schools together for the conferral of their degrees.
    • Graduates' names are not called - graduates rise as their degrees are called out by the deans.
    • Remarks are provided by the Commencement speaker and honorary degrees are awarded to distinguished recipients.
  • School celebrations (Friday, May 18, to Sunday, May 20)
    • Each school plans a school celebration.
    • Graduates are called individually to cross the stage by their dean, however degrees are not conferred.
  • Doctoral Hooding Ceremony (Thursday, May 17)
    • 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; Doctor of Physical Therapy; and Doctor of Nursing Practice - available in the world of learning.
  • GW's Interfaith Baccalaureate featuring student speakers and performers.
  • Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony
  • Special receptions to be announced

Please note:  Tickets are required for most ceremonies and are distributed to graduates.

Commencement Weekend 2011


Congratulations to the class of 2011!  GW’s Commencement celebration spanned six days from May 10 to 15 and comprised of more than 20 events, including the University Commencement on the National Mall.

Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, addressed GW graduates at Commencement. Joining Mayor Bloomberg as honorary degree recipients were attorney, public servant and civil rights leader William Coleman and arts, education and community leader—and GW alumna—Peggy Cooper Cafritz.

Video

 


Full University Commencement

 
Commencement Timelapse


Michael Bloomberg

 
Collin Stevenson

Peggy Cooper Cafritz

 
William Coleman Jr.

Mark Lerner
John Snow

 

Photo Galleries

 


University Commencement

Interfaith Baccalaureate
NROTC Commissioning
Phi Beta Kappa Induction

Doctoral Hooding
Senior Class Toast
Athletics Commencement

Transcript

Read the transcript of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Keynote Speech.

Individual Photos

A professional photographer from GradImages has taken individual photos of graduates as they crossed the stage during the school celebrations. Graduates should have received an email link and free passport-sized digital proof of their photos within three to seven days following the celebrations. Graduates can place their orders at www.gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576.

Individual photos of students were not taken during the University Commencement on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

Commencement and School Celebrations DVDs

Graduates and parents can purchase DVDs of school celebrations and Commencement from CYP Audio/Video Service, LLC by:

Lost Items at Commencement

Lost items are given to GWPD, (202) 994-6110

Commencement Menu 2009 Highli

About Commencement

 

The GW Experience

Students

A Day to Remember

GW freshmen participate in service projects throughout the District in honor of 9/11.

From Jeopardy to George Washington

Freshman Raynell Cooper comes to GW after winning the game show’s teen tournament.

GW Student Wins Prize for Cancer Research

Doctoral student Shutao Wang’s study of a non-invasive tumor removal technique earns him the 2011 Chorafas Prize.

An Incubator for Ideas

GW student entrepreneurs may apply for spots in entrepreneurship incubator.

Faculty

Faculty Recognized for Extraordinary Teaching

Six professors honored with the 2011 Bender Teaching Awards.

Memorial for Civil Rights Leader Opens on National Mall

GW professor Adele Alexander talks about the significance of the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial.

Last ‘Murrow Boy’ Teaches GW Master Class

Legendary journalist Richard C. Hottelet tells of being taken prisoner by the Nazis, reporting on D-Day and more.

GW Professor Creates Mobile-Based Smoking Cessation Program

Text2Quit uses customized text messages to help smokers quit.

Alumni

Alumni Celebrate GW Spirit

2011 Alumni Weekend draws thousands back to campus.

Medical Alumni Can ‘Adopt a Doc’

New scholarship program enables graduates to put a face and name to donations.

GW Alumni, Graduate Student Win Fulbrights

Fifteen alumni and one doctoral student will conduct research around the globe with 2011-12 Fulbrights.

Fiscal Year 2011 Sets Fundraising Records

Total contributions to the university in the last fiscal year exceeded $113.5 million.