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The GW School of Business

2024 Commencement Celebrations

The GW School of Business proudly invites the Class of 2024 to our celebratory events.
Mark your calendars and begin planning your participation.

 

 

Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 2, 2024
GW School of Business Class of 2024 Soirée
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location to be announced
Invitation Only

 

Monday, May 13, 2024
Beta Gamma Sigma Induction Ceremony
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom, Third Floor
University Student Center
Invitation Only

 

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Online Graduate Programs Celebration (Virtual)
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The virtual celebration link will be distributed to graduates, families and guests in advance.

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Student and Faculty Awards Ceremony
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Continental Ballroom, Third Floor
University Student Center
Invitation only. Reception immediately follows ceremony.

 

Thursday, May 16, 2024
  Undergraduate Programs School Celebration
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Center
Reception immediately follows in Oglethorpe Great Hall (Duquès Hall, First Floor Lobby).
Each graduate will receive six guest tickets to this celebration.

 

Friday, May 17, 2024
Master’s and Doctoral Programs School Celebration
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Center
Reception immediately follows in Oglethorpe Great Hall (Duquès Hall, First Floor Lobby).
Each graduate will receive four guest tickets to this celebration.

 

Sunday, May 19, 2024
GW University Commencement on the National Mall
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Each graduate will receive six guest tickets for the GW University Commencement on the National Mall.

 

 

Apply to Graduate

Spring 2024 graduates must submit a graduation application via GWeb by March 18, 2024. This is the first step and must be completed before registering for any commencement-related events. 

Spring 2024 commencement can include all eligible graduates for: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024.

Please note: Summer 2024 graduates who plan to attend the May commencement ceremony must apply for graduation after registering for Summer 2024 courses no later than April 1. Students must have either completed their degree requirements or be enrolled in classes that will complete those requirements to submit the graduation application.

 

 

 

Regalia & Keepsakes

All eligible students who plan to participate in school celebrations and commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia; active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia.

Learn More & Purchase Regalia

 

 

Student Speaker Competition - GW School of Business Celebrations

Calling all bachelor’s, master's and doctoral students of the Class of 2024: we invite you to share your wisdom and experience with fellow graduates, faculty, staff and loved ones during your GW School of Business Celebration in May 2024 in the Charles E. Smith Center.

We will select one student as a featured speaker for each of the following GW School of Business Celebrations:

  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Online Graduate Programs Celebration (Virtual)
  • Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Undergraduate Programs School Celebration
  • Friday, May 17, 2024 - Master's and Doctoral Programs School Celebration

The deadline for submissions for this competition has passed. Please see below for information regarding auditions.

Eligibility

Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students in good standing are eligible to apply. Students must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Graduated in Summer 2023 (did not attend 2023 commencement)
  • Graduated Fall 2023
  • Applied or planning to apply to graduate in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024
Auditions

For each school celebration, up to five finalists will be invited to audition in front of a committee of judges from the GWSB community. Auditions will be held on Friday, March 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for the Undergraduate Programs Celebration and the Master's and Doctoral Programs Celebration; the student speaker for the Online Graduate Programs Virtual Celebration will be chosen based on the content of their student speaker application form.

If selected, your time slot will be finalized by Friday, March 15. We will make every effort to accommodate students with limited schedules, however we ask that you are flexible. We want to make this opportunity available to as many students as possible. You should be dressed in business attire (not business casual).

Be prepared to share a brief introduction about yourself before you give your speech to tell us why you want to be the student speaker. After your speech, the judges may have questions. Speakers will be judged on the following five criteria:

  1. Content (what you say) - Appropriate for the event, cohesive, organized with engaging start and memorable conclusion, engaging theme/story, creative, and delivered in three minutes or less.
  2. Delivery (how you say it) - Polished, easily understood, dynamic (i.e., good variety of gestures/expressions and voice pitch, volume and pace), body and voice appear natural/genuine.
  3. Student appeal - Representative and relatable, even to a broad student body.
  4. General guest appeal - Moves guests (including students, faculty, families, friends, distinguished alumni, Board of Trustees and guests) to be impressed by the GW student body.
  5. Inspirational tone - Delivers a memorable and moving message.

Student Speaker Competition - University Celebration on the National Mall

The deadline for submissions for this competition has passed. Schools will review the submissions from their students and nominate one to proceed to the public online voting round. A link to vote online will be posted on this page from March 27 to April 5. Any member of the GW community may vote in the online round.

 

 

Banner Bearers

The deadline for submissions for this competition has passed. Members of the GW School of Business graduating class may self-nominate or be nominated by another person in the GW School of Business to be banner bearers at the university commencement on the National Mall. There are five banner bearers: two (2) undergraduates, two (2) master's students, and one (1) doctoral candidate. One of the five banner bearers will be selected to carry the school banner and lead the other four banner bearers in the academic processional and recessional. 

To be eligible, students must:

  • Participate in university commencement on the National Mall
  • Participate in a dress rehearsal
  • Provide their own regalia

The chosen banner bearers will be seated in reserved front row seats in the graduating student seating section and will be formally recognized during the celebration (the lead will be announced by name from the stage).

 

 

Commencement Registration

Registration for commencement week events, including commencement on the National Mall, will open on Wednesday, March 27 for the Class of 2024, faculty and staff. Students who had their degree awarded in the summer of 2023 — or will complete all their degree requirements in the fall of 2023, spring of 2024, or summer of 2024 — are eligible to participate in school celebrations and commencement. Students may invite:

  • Up to six guests for the Undergraduate School Celebration on May 16, 2024
  • Up to four guests for the Master’s and Doctoral School Celebration on May 17, 2024
  • Up to six guests for commencement on the National Mall on May 19, 2024

Students must register themselves and their guests to attend commencement week events. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or experience any issues during the registration process.

Register for Commencement Week Events

Please note: You must apply to graduate and complete the mandatory online graduation survey before you can register for the school celebration or commencement on the National Mall. The graduation survey will open in March and will be available here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

If I am finishing my degree in the summer, can I participate in commencement?

Yes. Simply apply for summer graduation in GWeb by April 1, after you register for summer courses, to ensure you are included in the commencement program.

If I am a Fall 2023 graduate, can I participate in commencement?

Yes. All Fall 2023 graduates are eligible to participate and will be included in communications.

What if I miss the March 15 (or April 1 for summer) application deadlines in GWeb?

You can still apply for graduation in GWeb, but inclusion in the celebration program cannot be guaranteed due to publishing deadlines.

What if I didn’t receive a confirmation after applying to graduate?

You can check DegreeMAP to confirm that the application is on file. If an application is on file for you, then you will see the words "Sought-Applied to Graduate" or "Applied Late Degree Clearance" in the "Graduation Application" field on your DegreeMAP audit. This is located near the top, in the same section as your name, GWID, major, etc.

Does the GW School of Business provide graduation cords, medals or stoles?

GWSB does not provide cords or stoles for Latin Honors. If you are involved in a group that you know or think might provide cords or stoles for graduation, we encourage you to contact that organization in advance. Undergraduate students will receive a medal at their school celebration on Thursday, May 18.

What are school celebrations?

All GW schools and colleges will host their own celebratory experiences for their graduating students in addition to the university-wide celebration on the National Mall. Graduating students will receive individual recognition, including having their names announced, walking across the stage, and having an individual photo taken, during these celebrations, and they will hear from school leaders and other prestigious speakers.

How do I request additional tickets?

Registration for commencement events will begin on March 27. Students will have the opportunity to register themselves and their guests. During the registration process, students will be able to add additional attendees to a waitlist system that will be approved as availability allows.

Where do I register?

Please register here for commencement week events.

What is commencement on the National Mall?

University commencement brings together students from all GW schools for the conferral of their degrees. The ceremony takes place on the National Mall and is open to all 2024 graduates from bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs to come and celebrate their achievements. This event includes remarks from GW leadership and other speakers.

Can I purchase GWSB-branded commencement keepsakes?

Yes. Please visit www.GWSBshop.com.

Can I request an official letter of invitation for Visa purposes?

Yes. Please visit the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Where can I find more information about regalia purchase or rental?

All students participating in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia. Active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. Graduates may order regalia online through April 13; students are not required to purchase from the university’s preferred vendor.

Please also refer to the University Commencement website for additional Frequently Asked Questions and answers.

 

 

Accessibility

GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please see the information regarding Smith Center and National Mall accessibility on the University Commencement website.

 

 

 

More Information

Contact us at [email protected] to connect with the GW School of Business Commencement Committee.

 

 

GW ALMA MATER

Hail Alma Mater
To thy spirit guiding,
Knowledge thy closest friend
In its strength abiding,
Pledge we fidelity
Ne'er its place resigning,
Hail thee George Washington!


 

Archive

 

Revisit Our 2023 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2022 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2021 Commencement Celebrations