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Pipers perform at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Commencement

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For Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over the following information and deadlines. This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.

Day-of Instructions for Graduates

In order to walk in the commencement ceremony, you must wear a cap and gown designed especially for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. Students not wearing the proper regalia will not be permitted to walk in the ceremony.*

Online ordering is now closed. Walk-in orders will take place in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Campus Store:

  • Wednesday, May 7: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 8: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 9: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

  • Saturday, May 10: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

*The only exception is for active-duty service members and students joining the Armed Forces who have received permission from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Commencement to wear their formal dress uniforms in lieu of academic regalia.

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*If you are borrowing regalia from a past graduate, please email commencement@american.edu.

  • Tickets are required for guest admittance to the Spring Commencement ceremonies.

  • All guests (except children below the age of 3) require a ticket to enter the arena

  • For Spring 2025 only, six tickets and one parking pass will be distributed to students who have registered to participate in Commencement by ordering their cap and gown.

  • If you borrow regalia from a past graduate, please email commencement@american.edu.

  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.

  • Arrive at the Bender Arena Sports Center lobby 45 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony and proceed to the 2nd floor for check-in. Wear your regalia upon arrival.ÌýÌý
  • When you check in, you will be given a reader card pre-printed with your name and QR code.ÌýDO NOT LOSE THIS CARD.
  • Graduates will be directed to their line-up locations. Look for the sign that identifies your degree group when you arrive at your assembly area.Ìý

Important Notes:

  • Only graduating students will be permitted in the assembly areas in the Tavern and Sports Center.Ìý
  • All graduates must be in regalia unless they are active military in uniform.
  • Regalia includes: Gown, mortarboard or tam, stole, and/or cords.
  • No other items or attire other than regalia will be permitted. This includes bags, signs, displays, coats, or other things carried or worn.
  • There is no coat check or secure location to store your belongings in the line-up areas or Arena during the ceremony. Please leave all personal belongings with your guests or in your vehicle during the ceremony. For security purposes, do not leave bags unattended.
  • All bags are subject to search upon entry to Bender Arena.
  • Objects that impede visibility, create noise, or otherwise may affect audience participation in the ceremony are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, signs, banners, flags, balloons, airhorns, noisemakers, or other sound-emitting devices.
  • No food or drink will be permitted in the Arena with the exception of bottled or refillable water containers.
  • Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at commencement.
  • Use #2025Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵGrad on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your posts will appear on the big screens inside Bender Arena and on the commencement website before your ceremony!

Line-Up Instructions

  • Begin lining up for the processional 45 minutesÌýbefore the ceremony. Choose a partner from your school and degree group and line up two abreast. Your partner must be receiving the same degree as you. Doctoral students will line up with their dissertation advisors.
  • Keep your reader card (with your name and QR code) safe; you'll hand it to the audio technician for your name to be announced. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD.
  • Your degree group will stay together throughout the processional, ceremony, and recessional. Remain in line with your partner, and you will be guided to your seat.

Ceremony

  • To create a more sustainable commencement, ushers will only distribute one printed program per family. Graduates will have a program placed at their seat.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Bender Arena. This rule will be strictly enforced.
  • Any graduate or guest exhibiting disruptive behavior during line-up or the ceremony, as determined by university commencement staff or Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵPD, are subject to removal.
  • The ceremonies are expected to run approximately two to two and a half hours.
  • Please coordinate a designated meeting point with your guests after the ceremony.

Apply to graduate on and go to Graduation Overview. Connect with your advisor if you have any questions about your graduation application. Students, with the exception of WCL, must submit an application to graduate through Eagle Service by MarchÌý24. Applications for graduation will not be accepted after the deadline.

Washington College of Law Students, please visit this website for commencement details specific to the WCL ceremony.

Students made eligible to participate in Commencement will be able to order regalia.ÌýYour regalia order serves asÌýyour registration to participate in the ceremony and signsÌýyouÌýup forÌýyour tickets and parking pass. At Commencement, all graduates must be in regalia unless theyÌýareÌýactive military in uniform. Anything other than regalia will not be permitted.Ìý

The Oak Hall regalia site is now closed! Regalia walk-in orders are available at the Campus Bookstore from May 7thÌý- 10th.

Campus Bookstore Hours - Commencement Week
May 5th - May 8th - Monday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
May 9th - May 10th - Friday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
May 11th - Sunday: Tentative Closed

Even ifÌýyour chosen name has not changed sinceÌýyouÌýfirst applied to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, please take a moment to checkÌýyour application to graduate on Eagle Service to verify thatÌýyour name is correct.ÌýUpdates must be made no later than March 24Ìý(updates made after March 24Ìýshould be emailed toÌýGraduation Services).

NameCoach creates a professional recording ofÌýyour diploma name. Submissions are now closed.

If you did not submit a recorded name, your name will still be recorded, and NameCoachÌýname readers will pronounce diploma names as accurately as possible.ÌýPlease note that these professional readers have access to a wide library of names/pronunciations if there is not a grad recording on file.

Undergraduates eligible for Latin Honors can pick up their gold honors cordÌýMay 7- 10 in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus store during store hours.ÌýSeeÌý, section 5.5.

Graduates who make a gift of $20.25 or more to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ area that impacted them most can receive a limited-edition Alumni Association medal.

Both will be available May 7- 10 in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus store during

  • TicketsÌýareÌýrequired for guest admittance to the SpringÌýCommencement ceremonies.
  • All guests (except children below the age of 3) require a ticket to enter the arena
  • For Spring 2025,Ìýsix tickets and one parking passÌýwill be distributed to students who have registered to participate in Commencement by ordering their cap and gown.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.
  • In April, registered students will receive a unique link to their Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ email to access their electronic tickets.

This annual survey asks main campusÌýgraduate and undergraduate students aboutÌýtheirÌýexperiences at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and theirÌýpost-graduationÌýplans, which provides a basis for improving services and support for students and alums. Please complete theÌýGradÌýCensusÌýyou receive by email invitationÌýorÌý.

Washington College of Law

Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over theÌýinformation and deadlines specifiic toÌýthe Washington College of Law commencement ceremony.Ìý

Student Speaker Applications

  • Each ceremony includes an address by a graduating graduate and undergraduate student speaker.
  • Selection of the student speakers is coordinated within each school's dean's office starting in early February. Speakers are announced in early April.
  • If you would like to be considered as a student speaker, contact your school’sÌýcommencement coordinator.

International Grads & Guests

Students participating in Commencement or their guests who are not in the U.S. at the time of graduation and do not have a U.S. passport may require documentation in order to secure a visa to attend commencement.

All documentation requests must be submitted by the graduate via a written request to theÌýRegistrar's OfficeÌýwith the following information:

  1. Name of the graduating student

  2. Major or course of study

  3. Date of ceremony

Submission Options

Mail:
Degree Clearance Team, Office of the Registrar
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

Fax:Ìý202-885-1016

Email:Ìýgraduation_services@american.edu
(Email submissions must have a PDF attachment of the request which includes the student's signature)

This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.