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The GW School of Business

2025 Commencement Celebrations

The GW School of Business (GWSB) proudly invites the Class of 2025 to our celebratory events. Mark your calendars and begin planning your participation.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Beta Gamma Sigma Induction Ceremony
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Continental Ballroom, Third Floor
University Student Center
By invitation only. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

Friday, May 2, 2025
Class of 2025 Soirée
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
By invitation only

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
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.

Thursday, May 15, 2025
 Undergraduate Programs School Celebration
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Center
Each graduating student will receive six guest tickets. A reception will immediately follow in Oglethorpe Great Hall (Duquès Hall, first floor lobby).

Friday, May 16, 2025
Master’s and Doctoral Programs School Celebration
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Center
Each graduating student will receive four guest tickets. A reception will immediately follow in Oglethorpe Great Hall (Duquès Hall, first floor lobby).

Sunday, May 18, 2025
GW University Commencement on the National Mall
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Each graduating student will receive six guest tickets. 

Watch Last Year's Commencement Celebrations

Apply to Graduate

Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 candidates may apply to graduate now. Summer 2025 candidates may apply to graduate after they enroll in their final classes. Please direct any questions about graduation applications to the Office of the Registrar.

Diploma Name and Address Change

Graduating students should verify the accuracy of their diploma details, such as diploma name and mailing address, by making necessary revisions. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar's Diplomas and Certificates page.

If a student's diploma/certificate is mailed to the address of record and is returned, there will be a fee of $25.00 for re-mailing (additional fees may apply for international mailing) or $50.00 to replace a lost diploma.

University Commencement on the National Mall and School Celebration Tickets

Registration for Commencement Week events, including school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall, is now open. All graduating students and faculty will need to register themselves and their guests online. In addition to registering for tickets, students will also download their stage pass and record their name pronunciation.

Please note: students must apply to graduate (see above) and complete the mandatory online graduation survey before registering to graduate.

Students must register by April 18 to be able to have their names professionally recorded with accurate pronunciation. Please look out for emails from [email protected] sent to your GW email address with important information.

Registration for Commencement Week events closes on Wednesday, April 23. For more information, please visit the GW Commencement website.

Student Regalia & Keepsakes

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. Students are not required to purchase regalia from the university’s preferred vendor, Jostens, but any regalia purchased from another vendor must be black or navy blue and appropriate for the degree earned at GW.

Order Regalia from Jostens

The deadline to order regalia online is April 2. Please note that online regalia orders will take 4-6 weeks to arrive. 

Beginning April 12, students can only purchase or rent regalia in person at the GW Campus Store. Students may also purchase regalia in person at the GW Campus Store. Keepsakes such as announcements, class rings, diploma frames and stoles are also available via the GW School of Business Campus Store, the GW Campus Store, or Jostens. Yearbook orders and portrait appointments can be made with GW Cherry Tree.

Faculty Regalia

Members of the faculty are invited to march in academic processions at both the GW School of Business Celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall. Faculty will receive information on how to register in spring.

Faculty must provide their own regalia to attend commencement week events. Regalia is available to rent or purchase online via Jostens until April 2. Beginning April 12, regalia will be available for rental only from the GW Campus Store.

How to rent or purchase faculty regalia online

Faculty may rent or purchase regalia online via Jostens.

• If you are renting regalia, select “Graduation Caps and Gowns” and then “Faculty Rental Homeship.”
• If you are purchasing regalia, select “Fine Quality Regalia.”
• When renting or purchasing online, you should select regalia from the institution where you received your highest or last degree.

GW University will provide up to $200.00 reimbursement on all regalia purchases; receipts must be submitted within 60 days of your order date. Rentals are not eligible for reimbursement. View instructions on how to receive reimbursement.

Please note that online regalia orders will take 4-6 weeks to arrive.

Student Speaker Competitions

GW Commencement on the National Mall

Applications for the GW Commencement Student Speaker Competition are now closed. Schools will review the submissions and nominate one student to proceed to the public online voting round, which takes place from March 17-30. Any member of the GW community may vote in the online round.

GW School of Business Celebrations

The Student Speaker Competition for the GW School of Business Celebrations is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied.

For the Undergraduate Programs Celebration and the Master's and Doctoral Programs Celebration, up to five finalists will be invited to audition in front of a committee of judges from the GW community. The student speaker for the virtual Online Graduate Programs Celebration will be chosen based on the materials submitted during application. 

Banner Bearer Nominations

Banner bearer nominations are no longer being accepted. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.

Banner bearers will participate in GW Commencement on the National Mall by carrying the banner of the GW School of Business during the academic processional and recessional. Five banner bearers will be selected: two undergraduate students, two graduate students, and one 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.

Students must:

• Be cleared to participate in University Commencement on the National Mall on May 18
• Attend on-campus rehearsal on May 13 or May 14
• Arrive early at commencement
• Provide their own regalia
• Sit in front row reserved seating

The chosen banner bearers will:

• Sit in front-row reserved seating
• Be formally recognized; the lead will be announced by name from the stage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Georgie, and how do I receive commencement updates?

Sign up to receive updates from Georgie, GW’s chatbot that provides 24/7 support to graduates and families. Text "Hi" to 1-877-838-0027 or visit Georgie on the Commencement website. Messaging and data rates may apply; you may opt-out at any time.

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.

What if I miss the graduation 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.

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 begins in March. 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 the GWSB Campus Store.

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

Yes; please visit the Office of the Registrar for more information.

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.

Archive

Revisit Our 2024 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2023 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2022 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2021 Commencement Celebrations