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The GW School of Business

2025 Commencement Celebrations

Undergraduate Programs Celebration - Thursday, May 15, 2025

Master's and Doctoral Programs Celebration - Friday, May 16, 2025

GW Commencement on the National Mall - Sunday, May 18, 2025

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

 

   

 

Watch Last Year's Commencement Celebrations

 

 

Undergraduate Programs Celebration

 

Master’s and Doctoral Programs Celebration

 

   

 

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.

 

 

   

 

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

Please note that online regalia orders will take 4-6 weeks to arrive. 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; early bird pricing is available until January 31. 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

The GW Commencement Student Speaker Competition is now open. All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 semesters who are in good academic standing are invited to apply. The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, February 21.

Apply to the University Commencement Student Speaker Competition

 

GW School of Business Celebrations

The Student Speaker Competition for the GW School of Business Celebrations is now open. All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 semesters who are in good academic standing are invited to apply.

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

  • Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - Online Graduate Programs Celebration (virtual)
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Undergraduate Programs Celebration
  • Friday, May 16, 2025 - Master's and Doctoral Programs Celebration

 The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, February 21.

Apply to the GWSB Student Speaker Competition

Learn More About the GW School of Business Celebrations Student Speaker Competition

Entry requirements for the GW School of Business Celebrations Student Speaker Competition:

  • A biography (maximum 150 words)
  • Text of the speech you would deliver at the celebration if selected
  • Vimeo or YouTube link of you delivering your speech (maximum length of three minutes)

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 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. All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates from the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 semesters who are in good academic standing are invited to apply.

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

The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, February 21.

Apply to be a GWSB Banner Bearer

 

   

 

 

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.

 

   

 

 

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 2024 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2023 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2022 Commencement Celebrations

Revisit Our 2021 Commencement Celebrations