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Commencement

Congratulations to the WashU Class of 2024

We are McKelvey!

The McKelvey community is excited to celebrate with 2024 graduates and their loved ones this May. Consider this your central hub for all ceremony information and updates.

Contact us: 
Email McKelvey_Commencement@wustl.edu
Policy Changes for 2024 Commencement

WashU has implemented several policy changes for the safety and convenience of our community during the university ceremony as well as the school recognition ceremonies.

Read more

Get information about:

McKelvey PhD Hooding Ceremony & Reception

Friday, May 10, 2024

Video of the PhD Hooding Ceremony

1:30–2:30 p.m. Ceremony — Knight Hall, Emerson Auditorium 
2:30–4:30 p.m. Reception — Knight Hall, Frick Forum

The Hooding Ceremony for all graduating McKelvey PhD candidates will take place on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium in Knight Hall. Each PhD candidate will cross the stage as their name is announced. A celebratory reception immediately follows just outside of Emerson Auditorium in Frick Forum.

Read about policy changes for 2024 Commencement

Reception
There will be a celebration immediately following the ceremony for all graduates and guests. Drinks, appetizers, a photo booth, music and fun provided! Many faculty, staff and administrators will be present.

McKelvey Bachelor & Masters Ceremony & Celebrations

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Video of the Bachelors and Masters Ceremony

11 a.m.–1 p.m. Ceremony — Athletic Complex, Field House 
1–3 p.m. Reception — East End, McKelvey Buildings  

This Recognition Ceremony is for McKelvey students graduating with bachelor’s and/or master's degrees and takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Athletic Complex, Field House. Each degree candidate will cross the stage as their name is announced.

Read about policy changes for 2024 Commencement

Receptions
There will be a large celebration immediately following the ceremony for all graduates and guests. Refreshments, photo booths, music and fun provided! Many faculty, staff and administrators will be present. Celebration sites are arranged by department and located on the east end of campus in and around the engineering buildings.

University-wide Commencement & Festival

Monday, May 13, 2024, at 9 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 314-935-5985 or visit the Commencement website. 

Read about policy changes for 2024 Commencement

  • Following the University-wide Commencement, the Chancellor will be hosting the Commencement festival for all WashU graduates and their friends and family. Learn more.

Student & Faculty Information

PhD Graduate Check-list & Logistics for May 10 Ceremony

Register for the event
Registration for McKelvey's PhD Hooding Ceremony is now open.

Order Regalia (Cap and Gown)  
Deadline for Regalia Rental: April 21, 2024

The deadline to reserve your cap and gown with the Campus Book Store is April 21, 2024. Rented regalia should be worn for the Chancellors' ceremony and the McKelvey Engineering Doctoral Ceremony.  

Arrival, Check-in, & Lineup  
Time & Location

  • Check-in will begin at noon. The McKelvey Hooding ceremony will begin promptly at 1:30 pm. Please plan to arrive at the McGinis Classroom on the second floor of Knight/Bauer Hall no later than noon.
  • Individual and group photos will all be taken before the ceremony.

Do not bring large items with you (Large purses, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.) A designated storage area is not available, and these items will be a tripping hazard under your chairs during the ceremony. We recommend leaving large items with family members/friends. Small cross-body bags or fanny packs can fit under your regalia.  

  • Please pick up your name card at the Check-In Tables located inside of McGinnis Classroom on the second floor of Knight/Bauer Hall.
  • 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 degree.
  • Be careful not to misplace your name card; you will need it during the ceremony. 

McKelvey Commencement Volunteers will direct you into the line for the procession.  

Bachelor and Masters Graduate Student Check-list & Logistics for May 11 Ceremony

Register for the event
Registration for McKelvey's bachelor's and master's degree ceremony is now open.

Order Regalia (Cap and Gown)  
Deadline for Regalia Rental: April 21
The deadline to reserve your cap and gown with the Campus Book Store is April 21. Rented regalia should be worn for the Chancellors' ceremony and the McKelvey Engineering Recognition Ceremonies.

Arrival, Check-in, & Lineup  
Time & Location

  • Check-in begins at 10 a.m. just inside the Sumers Athletic Complex. McKelvey Recognition ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Please plan to arrive at the Athletic complex no later than 10 a.m. Do not bring large items with you (Large purses, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.) A designated storage area is not available, and these items will be a tripping hazard under your chairs during the ceremony. We recommend leaving large items with family members/friends. Small cross-body bags or fanny packs can fit under your regalia.  

  • Please pick up your name-specific card at the appropriate check-in station based on your last name. Located in the Athletic Complex on the elevated track. Check-in will begin at 10 a.m. Do not wait until the last minute. This step could take more time than you anticipate.

  • 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 degree.

Be careful not to misplace your name card; you will need it during the ceremony.  

McKelvey Commencement volunteers will direct you into the line for the procession. All graduates must be in the line by 10:45 a.m.   

Regalia

The deadline to reserve your cap and gown with the Campus Book Store is April 21, 2024. Rented regalia should be worn for the Chancellors' Ceremony and the McKelvey Engineering Recognition Ceremonies 

  • Bachelor rental cost: $57 + tax
  • Master rental cost: $87 + tax 
  • Doctoral Regalia Rental Fee: $90 + tax 

You must return your regalia rental to the lower level of the bookstore after your ceremony. For questions, call the Campus Bookstore Customer Service Desk at 314-935-5500.  

 Order from the WashU bookstore 

Diploma

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. More information on your diploma can be found here.

  • 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 your home address listed in WebSTAC.  

  • Address changes made after Monday, May 20, at 5 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 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 has an expiration date, so be sure to download it when you receive the email. Your paper diploma will arrive approximately 8+ weeks after degree conferral (May 20), 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.
Marching Order Pre-Ceremony Slideshow
The McKelvey School of Engineering allows graduating students to pre-submit congratulatory messages that will be displayed on large screens prior to the start of the BS/Masters Recognition Ceremony. The University reserves the right to regulate content that is not aligned with this stated purpose.

Guests of Graduates

Three Graduation Dates Explained
  • The McKelvey Engineering PhD Graduation Hooding Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium in Knight/Bauer Hall
  • The McKelvey Engineering Bachelor Masters Recognition Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. the Athletic Complex, Field House. 

For clarification, McKelvey School of Engineering is hosting two separate ceremonies. The first is the PhD Hooding on Friday May 10, Bachelor Masters Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 11. These two ceremonies are for McKelvey only. Each degree candidate will cross the stage as their name is announced.   

Questions regarding the McKelvey Engineering ceremonies should be directed to mckelvey_commencement@wustl.edu. 

  • The third date is the University-wide Commencement, which will be held on Monday, May 13 at 9 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 314-935-5985 or visit the Commencement Website. 

Following the University-wide Commencement, the Chancellor will be hosting the Commencement festival for all WashU graduates and their friends and family. Learn more. 

Tickets are NOT required for any of the ceremonies.

 

Parking

Friday, May 10: PhD Hooding Ceremony & Reception

Parking can be challenging during Commencement season. Visitors and guests are encouraged to park in the Millbrook Garage (enter off Forest Park Parkway). The Millbrook Garage is directly across from Knight Hall.  

If Metrolink is convenient to your hotel or home, it is recommended that you use it. Exit at the University City-Big Bend Station, which is at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Big Bend Blvd., for a short walk to Knight Hall.  

Saturday, May 11: Bachelor Masters Ceremony & Celebration

Parking can be challenging during Commencement season. Visitors and guests are encouraged to park in the East End Garage (entrance, Forest Park Parkway at Hoyt). The East End Garage is on the lower end of campus in the Engineering Complex where the post-ceremony celebrations will take place. Limited shuttle service is available between 9 a.m.–2 p.m. from the East Eng Garage and the Olympic Rings near Summers Rec Center.

Parking is also available mid-campus in either the Snow Way Parking Garage and Millbrook Parking Garage.

The Danforth University Center garage will be open for parking ONLY to visitors needing ADA assistance. Those displaying a state-issued placard or license plate. This garage is accessible via Forsyth Blvd. and Wallace Drive.

If Metrolink is convenient to your hotel or home, it is recommended that you use it. Exit at the University City-Big Bend Station, which is at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Big Bend, for a short walk to Sumers Athletic Complex.

commencement parking map

Parking map  Metrolink information 

Consider a Ride-Share service and forget about parking.  

Monday, May 13: University-wide Commencement

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 Washington University’s Maps, Direction, and Parking website. 

Accessibility

Mobility Assistance 

Please let us know how we can better meet your needs by completing this form. The events team will contact you to work through the best options available to meet your needs.

Friday, May 10: PhD Hooding Ceremony & Reception
Entrances to Knight Hall and Emerson Auditorium are accessible. Once inside, please see a McKelvey Commencement Volunteer for directions to seating.  

Saturday, May 11: Bachelor Masters Ceremony & Reception
Accessible Seating 
Entrances into the Athletic Complex and Field House are accessible. Once inside, elevator assistance is available. We have marked several chairs on the floor level for accessible seating.

Accessible parking is available to those displaying a state-issued accessible placard or license plate in the Danforth University Center Garage (DUC)(200). Accessible parking in the DUC Garage is only accessible via Forsyth Boulevard and northbound Wallace Drive.

For those needing to drop off guests with accessibility needs, please enter via Forsyth Boulevard and northbound Wallace Drive and follow the posted signage to the designated drop-off location

Closed Captioning

Closed captioning will be available on our jumbotron screens during the McKelvey Engineering ceremony. There will also be an ASL interpreter on stage during each ceremony. 

Emergency Services

During the ceremony, ambulance services will be standing 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. 

FAQs & Communications Sent

Which ceremony should I attend? WashU Commencement or McKelvey’s Recognition Ceremonies?

You can attend either or both. This decision is completely up to you. Graduates must register for each ceremony separately. If you want to attend both ceremonies, please be sure to register for each one.

  • WashU’s Commencement registration will open in the spring. You will receive an email with registration instructions.
  • McKelvey Graduation Recognition Ceremony registration for both PhD and Bachelor Masters is now open. You will receive an email with registration instructions.
What if I did not register by the deadline, but would like to attend? 
We encourage everyone to register before the deadline – registration closes April 11. If you did not register in time, send an email to McKelvey_Commencement@wustl.edu as soon as possible and include your SIS number, first name, last name, and degree. We will do our best to add you to the registration system.
Do my guests need to register? 
Guests do not need to register to attend the ceremonies.
What if I registered, but am no longer attending? Do I need to tell anyone? 
If you are sure you will no longer be attending, you can email McKelvey_Commencement@wustl.edu to let us know. Please include your SIS number, first name, last name and degree.
What if I am unable to attend the ceremony(ies) but would like to order regalia for pictures? 
You can order regalia for pictures here. We recommend you contact the bookstore at 314-935-5500 for further questions about renting for photos only, pick up and return.
When will tickets become available for the ceremonies?
Ticketing will now be required to enter the ceremony. Digital, sharable tickets will be sent directly to your graduate for both the McKelvey Engineering and all-university commencement ceremonies. Graduates are responsible for distributing tickets among their respective guests.
Can my family sit with me at the ceremony? 
No. All graduates sit together. Guests of the graduates can sit in the bleachers on the lower and upper levels.
My family cannot make it to the ceremony. Will it be livestreamed for them to watch? 
You can view the livestream of the ceremony or watch a recording of the ceremony. Both are hosted on the home page of McKelvey Graduation website.
Will I receive my actual diploma during the ceremony? 

No. The registrar’s office will coordinate your diploma shipment once your degree is conferred by the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Martin. 

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 your Home Address listed in WebSTAC. 

Address changes made after Monday, May 20, 2024 at 5 p.m. CT will not be captured for diploma shipments. 

Where do I return my regalia after the ceremony has ended? 
You return your regalia to the Danforth Bookstore in the lower level coursebook area, Mallinckrodt Center. We recommend you contact the bookstore at 314-935-5500 for further questions.
How do I sign up a guest for mobility assistance? 
Please click here to sign-up for mobility assistance for any of the upcoming McKelvey graduation ceremonies. The events team will contact sign-ups a week before each ceremony.
Does the university provide wheelchairs for guests attending graduation ceremonies? 
We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for WashU graduation festivities. If you need further assistance, please contact the McKelvey Commencement Office at McKelvey_Commencement@wustl.edu.
My question is not listed here. Where can I find the answer? 
You can contact either your Program Office or email McKelvey_Commencement@wustl.edu
Recent Communication

Bachelor Masters graduates of McKelvey Engineering email

PhD graduates of McKelvey Engineering email

Watch the 2024 McKelvey Engineering graduation ceremonies