Commencement – UW News /news Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:05:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.5 UW’s Class of 2026 celebrated with ceremonies in Husky Stadium and ceremonies in the Tacoma Dome and HecEd /news/2026/06/08/uw-celebrates-class-of-2026-with-151st-commencement-in-husky-stadium-and-ceremonies-in-the-tacoma-dome-and-heced/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:38:56 +0000 /news/?p=92068

President Robert J. Jones presided at the UW’s 151st Commencement ceremony on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium on Saturday, June 13.

Graduates have profound potential and have capacity to combine purpose, skill and cooperation in ways that will change the world, Jones said.

“They are innovators, scientists, artists, educators, healers, entrepreneurs and storytellers who have made their mark on the UW and are poised to do the same in the world beyond,” he said. “Because of that, I feel not just hope — but confidence — that the future is in their capable hands.”

About 7,500 UW graduates of the Class of 2026 participated in Saturday’s ceremony. Officials said about 50,000 family members and friends cheered the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands. Families from 42 countries from every continent except Antarctica joined the ceremony virtually.

, Class of ’83, who shared the, was the featured speaker.

“Leave yourself open to opportunities when they arise. Be willing to take a risk and to say yes to the unknown,” Brunkow told the crowds in Husky Stadium. “You chose UW — and succeeded here — because it is a place of discovery, collaboration and optimism. Carry those values with you out into the world. We can’t wait to see what you make of them.”

By Sunday evening, President Jones will have presented nearly 18,462 degrees to the Class of 2026 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the University’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also participated in the ceremonies.

The followingdata, drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, will be presentedat the Board of Regents’ June 11 meeting:

  • For work completed at theSeattlecampus, about 14,932 degrees will be conferred, specifically: 9,066 bachelor’s degrees, 4,372 master’s degrees, 615 professional degrees, 16 Educational Specialist degrees, and 863 doctoral degrees.
  • UW Bothell, about 1,886 degrees will be conferred, including 1,619 bachelor’s degrees and 267 master’s degrees.
  • And atUW Tacoma,students will receive about 1,644 degrees, including 1,321 bachelor’s degrees, 304 master’s degrees, 10 Educational Specialist degrees and nine doctoral degrees.

Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2025-2026 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.

UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 12 at the Tacoma Dome. UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 14 at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

More information

UW Tacoma’s is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, at the Tacoma Dome. To watch a livestream, visit the . Doors open 60 minutes in advance.

The June 13 Commencement ceremony in Seattle will be streamed starting at 12:30 p.m. To watch, visit the UW commencement website. Doors to Husky Stadium open at 12:30 p.m. “Purple Carpet” programming begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the procession of graduates at 1:30 p.m. and the Commencement ceremony at about 2 p.m.

UW Bothell will host the on Sunday, June 14, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. The Purple Ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m., includes students from the Schools of Business, Educational Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. The Gold Ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m., is for students from the schools of Nursing & Health Studies and of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony.

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ArtSci Roundup: June 2026 /news/2026/05/21/artsci-roundup-june-2026/ Thu, 21 May 2026 20:54:06 +0000 /news/?p=91767 ArtSci Roundup title and illustration, image

Come curious. Leave inspired.

The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. And you don’t have to wait until June: Take a look at everything still happening in May.

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ArtSci On Your Own Time:

Through July 24 – Book Club | The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (UW Alumni Association)
Readers’ Choice! Bundle up for an historical mystery set in 18th-century Maine. The body of a local man is found in the frozen Kennebeck River. Martha Ballard, the local midwife, suspects that this death is not an accident — and her detailed diaries of local life are full of clues. Will she weather the scandals unleashed by her pursuit of the truth? Inspired by historic events!Free.

Indigenous Planetary Health podcast title and illustration, imagePodcast | (Comparative History of Ideas)
Dr. Hōkūlani Aikau is joined by guest co-host and podcast research assistant Melialani Hamilton, a new PhD student in IGOV. Together, they interview Michael Wilson a Tohono O’odham human rights activist, U.S. military retiree, and documentary filmmaker and Dr. José Antonio “Tony” Lucero, Professor and Chair of the Comparative History of Ideas Department at the , Seattle. They are co-authors of, , a powerful memoir tracing Mike’s life journey and the experiences that led him to the controversial and courageous humanitarian work of placing water stations for migrants along the U.S.–Mexico border. The book captures the tension between Mike’s moral obligation to prevent death and the political stance of a nation committed to non-interference. Throughout the narrative, Tony “hyperlinks” Mike’s personal story to broader histories and global struggles, illuminating how one life resonates far beyond the borderlands.Free.

EXHIBITIONS:

June 4 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
A one-night exhibition of furniture, lighting, soft goods, electronics, and experimental work by UW junior industrial design students. Free.

Through June 5 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Celebrate the graduating seniors across the art programs: 3D4M, Photo/Media, Painting + Drawing, and Interdisciplinary Visual Art (IVA) during the 2026 BA in Art Graduation Exhibitions at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. Opening nights: Group 1 – April 28, Group 2 – May 12, Honors – May 26. Free.

student in gallery exhibit photograph, image

June 10 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Free.

Through June 14 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
The Henry is pleased to present the ’s School of Art + Art History + Design Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design Thesis Exhibition. Throughout their programs, fine arts and design students work with advisers and other artists to develop advanced techniques, expand concepts, discuss critical issues, and emerge with a vision and direction for their own work. Henry staff conduct studio visits and work closely with the students to facilitate their projects and prepare them for exhibition at the museum. A digital publication will be produced in conjunction with the exhibition to highlight the students’ artistic endeavors and the Henry’s commitment to this exciting and important step in the students’ development as practicing artists and designers. is on June 5. Related article: . Free.

June 10 – 26 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
will be on June 12. Free.

exhibition photo, image
Eric-Paul Riege: ojo|-|ólǫ́ [Installation view, Henry Art Gallery, , Seattle. 2026]. Photo: Jueqian Fang.

Exhibition | (Henry Art Gallery)
ojo|-|ólǫ́ (pronounced oh-ho hol-ohn) is an exhibition of recent and newly commissioned work by Diné artist Eric-Paul Riege (b. 1994, Na’nízhoozhí [Gallup, New Mexico]) that includes sculpture, textile, collage, and video, activated by moments of performance. Across this work, Riege combines customary Diné practices of weaving, silversmithing, and beading with contemporary cultural forms, exploring Diné cosmology, the history of Euro-American trading posts in and adjacent to the Navajo Nation, and the notion of “authenticity” as a value marker of Indigenous art and craft. Free.


Week of June 1

Online – June 1 | (Jackson School of International Studies)
Presented by Abdullah Al-Arian, Associate Professor of History, Georgetown University in Qatar. The World (Cup) Comes To Seattle 2026 Lecture Series is an online series of talks and discussions hosted by the Global Sport Lab, featuring local and global experts to discuss the geopolitical, local, and sporting implications of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Seattle. Free.

June 1 | (School of Music)
Phyllis Byrdwell leads the 100-voice Gospel Choir in songs from the Gospel tradition.

June 2 | (School of Music)
The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band (Erin Bodnar, director) present “Emblems,” featuring music by Aaron Copland, Wim Bex, Kevin Day, Dwayne Milburn, John Mackey and others. With Eden Garza, bass trombone.

Seatttle Field Guide book cover, imageJune 2 | (Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture)
Nature writers Kathryn True and Maria Dolan discuss their new book Seattle Field Guide: Explore Nature in the City, a guide to 38 outdoor adventures across the greater Seattle area. They will deliver a presentation featuring natural phenomena you can visit yourself around the city. Seattle Field Guide is a fun, accessible, and inspiring guide to 38 nature-filled outings across the greater Seattle area — perfect for all ages and experience levels. Whether you have a free afternoon or a full day to explore, Dolan and True offer seasonal adventures that reveal the wild wonders hidden in the city’s parks, shorelines, greenways, and neighborhoods.

Simone Stirner photograph, imageJune 2 | (Simpson Center for the Humanities)
What happens to our understanding of relational memory when viewed through queer histories? In this talk, Stirner examines memory art dedicated to often neglected queer and trans histories after National Socialism, from translucent quilts to an installation that melts a concentration camp gate and rewelds it into new forms. Beyond arguing for the inclusion of queer histories in relational frameworks of remembrance, the talk proposes that attending to the distinct shapes and textures of queer relationality reshapes the concept itself, showing how queer memory practices expand and transform what it means to think memory relationally.

Simone Stirner (Assistant Professor, Germanic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University) works on poetry and poetics, memory studies, and the intersections of critical and creative practices. Stirner’s first book Poetic Grief: Form and Remembrance after National Socialism (Fordham University Press, forthcoming) develops a new framework for understanding the relationship between reading poetry and the affective experience of grief by studying how poems in the enduring aftermath of National Socialism and the Holocaust make space for an encounter with the uncontainable dimensions of loss—on and off the page.Free.

June 3 | (School of Music)
A free lunchtime performance featuring UW School of Music students in the North Allen Library lobby. Presented in partnership with UW Libraries.Free.

June 3 | (School of Music)
The Studio Jazz Ensemble and Modern Ensemble present a shared program of repertory selections, original music, and inspired arrangements.

June 4 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
A one-night exhibition of furniture, lighting, soft goods, electronics, and experimental work by UW junior industrial design students. Free.

June 4 |(Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture)
Admission to the Burke Museum is FREE and the museum is open until 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Get closer to the daily work happening in the Burke Museum’s visible collections storage, labs and workrooms during Free First Thursday.Free.

June 4 | (Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies)
This celebration honors all the Building A Movement interns and 2026 graduating Labor students!

students playing music photograph, imageJune 5 | (School of Music)
The UW Symphony (David Alexander Rahbee, director) and combined UW Choirs (Giselle Wyers, director) team up for a year-end program featuring music by Ottorino Respighi, Nadia Boulanger, and Francis Poulenc. Mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski is featured soloist with the combined ensembles for works by Boulanger, orchestrated by David Alexander Rahbee. Soledad Mayorga-Maldonado is featured soloist for Francis Poulenc’s Gloria, with Giselle Wyers conducting.

June 5 | (Geography)
The Geography Undergraduate Research Symposium spotlights innovative and compelling undergraduate work. Student researchers will share fresh ideas, sharp insights, and standout projects with the community. Free.\

June 5 | (Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies)
Engage with emerging scholarship in gender, women, and sexuality studies and celebrate the work of our undergraduate researchers. Each student will give a short presentation, followed by responses from GWSS graduate students who will help facilitate discussion. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or community member, support scholars and take part in the conversation. A reception with light refreshments will follow. Free.

June 5 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Join the Henry and ’s School of Art + Art History + Design in celebration of the 2026 MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition. See the diverse work of this year’s graduate students and enjoy a no-host bar. Artists: Stephanie Alacon, Dahae Cheon, Li-Yuan Chiou, Jeff Jiang, Victoria Mackender, Alex Moni-Sauri, Oscar Pearson, Chave Pichardo, Andrew Roibal, and Ryan Walters. Related article: . Free.

June 5 – 6 | (Dance)
Join the UW Department of Dance Kawasaki Guest Artist Amy O’Neal, 23 UW dance students, and Seattle guest artists for a Spring Hybrid Dance Lab (HDL). This performance plus dance party is a research and performance platform for experimental street dance practitioners to challenge traditional notions of street dance in theater, address creative hybridity, and nurture cultural literacy. Made possible by generous gifts from the Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation and John C. Robinson. Free.

June 6 | (School of Music)
Emerging and established composers explore unconventional sonic landscapes in this concert of music by students, faculty, alumni, and guests of the UW Composition program. Free.


June 8 – 30

The World Cup comes to Seattle graphic, image

Online – June 8 | (Jackson School of International Studies)
Presented by Jen Barnes, Co-Chair of Pride+ Match Impact Committee SEA2026; Founder, CEO, Rough & Tumble Pub; Salmon Bay FC. The World (Cup) Comes To Seattle 2026 Lecture Series is an online series of talks and discussions hosted by the Global Sport Lab, featuring local and global experts to discuss the geopolitical, local, and sporting implications of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Seattle. Free.

June 10 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Free.

June 11 | 2026 Awards of Excellence Ceremony
The UW is delighted to announce the recipients of the 56th annual Awards of Excellence! The awards honor outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, students and retirees who contribute to the richness and diversity of our University community. The program includes a one-hour ceremony hosted by President Robert J. Jones and Provost Tricia Serio, followed by a reception with refreshments and community connection. Free.

June 12 | (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Free.

June 12 | (Speech & Hearing Sciences)
Presentation by Dr. Catherine Off (Ph.D, Speech & Hearing Sciences, ’08). Free.

Online option – June 13 | ’s 151st Commencement Ceremony
The will honor the graduating class of 2026 at the University’s 151st Annual Commencement Exercises. Over 7,400 graduates will take the field at the magnificent Husky Stadium to the cheers and applause of 50,000 family members and friends.Free.

portrait of lecturer, imageJune 25 | (Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture)
Learn more about the incredible range and diversity of sex, sex-development, gender, and sexuality in the natural world and the many purposes of sex and sexuality for building strong and vibrant communities in the natural world.


ArtSci Roundup goes monthly!

The ArtSci Roundup is your guide to connecting with the UW—whether in person, on campus, or on your couch.

Previously shared on a quarterly basis, those who sign up for the Roundup email will receive them monthly, delivering timely updates and engaging content wherever you are. Check the roundup regularly, as events are added throughout the month. Make sure to check out the ArtSci On Your Own Time section for everything from podcasts to videos to exhibitions that can be enjoyed when it works for you!

In addition, if you like the ArtSci Roundup, sign up to receive a monthly notice when it’s been published.

Do you have an event that you would like to see featured in the ArtSci Roundup? Connect with Lauren Zondag (zondagld@uw.edu).uw.edu).

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Nobel Prize winner and Husky alumna Mary E. Brunkow to address graduates at UW’s 151st Commencement /news/2026/05/12/nobel-prize-winner-and-husky-alumna-mary-e-brunkow-to-address-graduates-at-uws-151st-commencement/ Tue, 12 May 2026 15:35:48 +0000 /news/?p=91696 image of a woman wearing a blue jacket standing in front of a college building
Nobel Prize winner and UW alumna Mary E. Brunkow will be the featured speaker at the 151st UW Commencement on June 13. Photo: Mark Stone/

Graduates atthe ’s151st Commencement,scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium,will hear from,Class of ’83, who shared the.

Brunkow, who studiedmolecular and cellularbiology at the UW, won the Nobel Prize for “groundbreaking discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance that prevents the immune system from harming the body.”Brunkow said she plans to inspire graduates to pursue innovations and discoveriesthat will make an impact around the world.

“I’m honored to be addressing theClass of 2026 at the , the place where I discovered the joy of asking hard questions in a community that believes in possibility,” Brunkow said.“At the UW, mentors opened lab doors, curiosity was encouragedand persistence was taught by example. I look forward to celebrating and encouraging the next generation of explorers, creators and changemakers at the institution that sparked my own sense of what a life in science—and service—could be.”

BrunkowsharestheNobelPrizewithFrederick J. Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchifor their combined researchintohow the immune system works. Brunkow and Ramsdell conducted research togetheratCelltechChiroscience,formerly Darwin Molecular,in Bothell,Washington.Theyidentifieda mutation in a gene calledFoxp3,whichmakesmice susceptible to asystemic autoimmune disorderand ismanifested by a visible skin condition. Mutations in the humanequivalent of the Foxp3 gene are also responsible for , which has symptoms including intestinal problems,diabetesand scaly, itchy skin.

Later,Sakaguchi described the role of thewild-typeFoxp3gene in the development of certain white blood cells known as regulatory T cells.These cells, which Sakaguchi discovered, keep other T cells from mistakenly attacking normal tissues. Regulatory T cells also call a ceasefire once the body gets an infection under control.

Together, these discoveriesledresearchers to developaconceptcalled “peripheral immune tolerance,”throughwhichthe bodykeepsthe immune system in checkbyavoidingautoimmune responses that can damage healthy tissues. Theresearchfieldbased on this conceptholds promise in advancing therapies for cancers and autoimmunediseases,andimprovingtreatments to reduce transplant rejection.

“Mary Brunkow’s groundbreaking work reflects the power of curiosity, persistence and discovery to improve lives around the world,” said UW President Robert J. Jones. “We are proud to count her among the ’s distinguished alumni and honored to welcome her back to inspire the Class of 2026 as they begin their own journeys of service, leadership and innovation.”

Brunkowiscurrentlyadistinguished investigator andsenior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. After graduating fromthe UW,shewent on to earn her doctoral degree from Princeton University in 1991.In addition to being the featured speaker at Commencement, Brunkowalsowillreceivethe AlumnaSumma LaudeDignataAward, the highest honor bestowed upon a UW graduate.

Contact Jackson Holtz atjjholtz@uw.edu for more information or to arrange an interview with Brunkow.

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UW celebrates Class of 2025 with 150th Commencement in Husky Stadium and ceremonies in the Tacoma Dome and Hec Ed /news/2025/06/09/commencement2025/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:33:15 +0000 /news/?p=88293

President Ana Mari Cauce inspired graduates at the UW’s 150th Commencement ceremony on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium on Saturday.

Cauce delivered her final address before ending her 10-year run as president and returning to the faculty.

For journalists:

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“Graduates — right here, right now you stand on the edge of possibility, and you will be confronted with choices, challenges and opportunities that none of us can begin to imagine,” Cauce said. “That’s why all of us on this stage and in the audience are not only proud of your achievements, we are grateful — because the world urgently needs your voices and efforts.”

More than 7,400 UW graduates of the Class of 2025 — the most ever to pre-register — participated. About 50,000 family members and friends cheered the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands.

UW Tacoma held its commencement June 13 at the Tacoma Dome. UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 15 at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

See highlights from Husky Stadium, Hec Edmundson Pavilion and the Tacoma Dome in the photo gallery below.

Students pose for a photo in graduation gowns.
A group of people in graduation gowns pose with a husky.
A group of people in graduation gowns walk through the crowd.
Two people pose in graduation gowns.
A graduate holds up their diploma.
Graduates stand in graduation attire
Graduation ceremony
Graduates in gowns pose for a photo.

President Cauce presented nearly 18,833 degrees to the Class of 2025 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the University’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also will participate in the ceremonies.

The following data, drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, was presented at the Board of Regents’ June 12 meeting:

  • For work completed at theSeattlecampus, about 15,412 degrees will be conferred, specifically: 8,712 bachelor’s degrees, 5,161 master’s degrees, 589 professional degrees, 17 Educational Specialist degrees, and 933 doctoral degrees.
  • UW Bothell, about 1,663 degrees will be conferred, including 1,425 bachelor’s degrees and 238 master’s degrees.
  • And atUW Tacoma,students will receive about 1,758 degrees, including 1,393 bachelor’s degrees, 350 master’s degrees, 12 Educational Specialist degrees and three doctoral degrees.

Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2024-2025 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.

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UW celebrates Class of 2024 as thousands march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park /news/2024/06/03/uw-celebrates-class-of-2024-as-thousands-expected-to-march-in-events-in-husky-stadium-the-tacoma-dome-and-t-mobile-park/ Mon, 03 Jun 2024 21:53:17 +0000 /news/?p=85646

Award-winning author of “The Boys in the Boat,” Daniel James Brown, inspired more than 7,400 graduates with the 1936 story of the men’s rowing team winning Olympic Gold. Brown was the featured speaker at the ’s 149th Commencement ceremony on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Perseverance, resilience, earnestness, trustworthiness and humility were just as important as muscle and brawn, Brown said, and if any of the nine-man crew were still alive today, they’d tell today’s graduates to aim high.

“Go for the gold, whatever form that might take in your life,” Brown said. “Be audacious in your goals.”

See highlights from Husky Stadium and the Tacoma Dome in the photo gallery below.

Students at graduation
Students pose at graduation
Students pose at graduation
Students pose for graduation
Students pose for graduation
Students pose at graduation
Students take a photo at UW Tacoma
Students at UW Tacoma's commencement
UW Tacoma graduation
Students on stage at UW Bothell graduation
Students at UW Bothell graduation
Students at UW Bothell graduation

More information:

  • UW Tacoma’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, at the Tacoma Dome and will be streamed live here. Doors open 60 minutes in advance.
  • The June 8 Commencement ceremony in Seattle will be streamed online starting at 12:30 p.m. Doors to Husky Stadium open at 12:30 p.m. “Purple Carpet” programming begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the procession of graduates at 1:30 p.m. and the Commencement ceremony at about 2 p.m.
  • UW Bothell will host the 33rd annual Commencement Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, June 9, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony. A Graduate Hooding Ceremony will take place Saturday, June 8, on the UW Bothell sports field.

Brown received an honorary degree for his impact on scholarship in the humanities, and the UW also honored Susan Solomon, a professor at MIT, for her pioneering research on ozone depletion and the chemistry of the stratosphere.

More than 7,400 UW graduates of the Class of 2024 participated in the June 8 ceremony. Officials say about 40,000 family and friends were present to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands.

UW Tacoma held its commencement June 7 at Tacoma Dome. UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 9 at T-Mobile Park.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce will present 18,007 degrees to the Class of 2024 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the university’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also will participate in the ceremonies.

The followingdata, drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, will be presentedat the Board of Regents’ June 13 meeting:

  • For work completed at theSeattlecampus, about 14,527 degrees will be conferred, specifically: 8,471 bachelor’s degrees, 4,518 master’s degrees, 607 professional degrees, 28 Educational Specialist degrees, and 902 doctoral degrees.
  • UW Bothell, about 1,762 degrees will be conferred, including 1,564 bachelor’s degrees and 109 master’s degrees.
  • And atUW Tacoma,students will receive about 1,718 degrees, including 1,350 bachelor’s degrees, 350 master’s degrees and 18 doctoral degrees.

Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2023-2024 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.

UPDATE June 5, 2024: This story has been updated to correct the total number of degrees that will be conferred.

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Daniel James Brown to address UW’s Class of 2024 /news/2024/04/23/daniel-james-brown-to-address-uws-class-of-2024/ Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:20:40 +0000 /news/?p=85187 man at podium
Daniel James Brown, the author of “Boys in the Boat,” will deliver the 2024 Commencement address at Husky Stadium on Saturday, June 8. Photo: Dennis Wise/

, the author of “Boys in the Boat,” the story of the 1936 men’s rowing team, will deliver the 2024 Commencement address for the 149th ceremony, which takes place June 8 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

The feature film based on Brown’s 2014 bestseller, “Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” was released late last year, propelling the story of grit, determination and community support to global audiences.

“In telling the story of ’The Boys in Boat,’ Dan has brought a treasured piece of Pacific Northwest and UW history to life and inspired people all over the world,” UW President Ana Mari Cauce said. “We are honored to have him to be a part of this very special day in the lives of our graduates and their families.”

 

2024 Commencement Information

UW’s 149th Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. UW Bothell’s graduation at T-Mobile Park. The Commencement ceremony for UW Tacoma is at the Tacoma Dome.

 

Brown will receive an honorary degree for his impact on scholarship in the humanities. The UW will also recognize MIT atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon at Commencement for her pioneering research on ozone depletion and the chemistry of the stratosphere.

Brown’s books focus on pivotal moments in history that have often been overlooked. He told the story of Japanese American heroes of World War II in “Facing the Mountain.” In “The Indifferent Stars Above,” he chronicled a Donner party bride’s 32-day trek through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. And in the pages of “Under the Flaming Sky,” he revealed the social, economic and environmental causes of the Great Hinkley Firestorm of 1894. “Boys in the Boat,” the tale of the Depression-era crew team that overcame seemingly impossible obstacles and stunned the world by winning Gold at the Berlin Olympics, has been translated into more than a dozen languages and is the recipient of a number of awards including the American Library Association’s Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.

“As an ardent, life-long supporter of public education — particularly higher education — I’m profoundly grateful to the for bestowing this honor on me,” Brown said. “The upcoming commencement ceremony is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to express my gratitude to the university for all that it does to cultivate the arts and humane values in our community and the wider world.”

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, and a master of arts from UCLA. He’s taught writing at San Jose State University and Stanford University and continues to write from his home near Seattle.

 

 

 

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Author Daniel James Brown and MIT atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon to receive honorary degrees at UW’s 2024 Commencement /news/2024/04/23/author-daniel-james-brown-and-mit-atmospheric-chemist-susan-solomon-to-receive-honorary-degrees-at-uws-2024-commencement/ Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:19:57 +0000 /news/?p=85194 head shot of a man and a woman
Best-selling author Daniel James Brown and MIT atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon will receive honorary degrees at the 2024 UW Commencement. Photo:

The 149th Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. This year, the UW will recognize best-selling author Daniel James Brown and Susan Solomon, a professor of environmental science and chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both will receive honorary degrees for their contributions to the humanities and sciences.

Daniel James Brown

Best-selling author will receive an honorary degree for his impact on the humanities. His book “Boys in the Boat” tells the story of the men’s rowing team’s path to victory at the 1936 Olympic games; Brown also will deliver the Commencement address.

Brown’s books focus on pivotal moments in history that have often been overlooked. He told the story of Japanese American heroes of World War II in “Facing the Mountain.” In “The Indifferent Stars Above,” he chronicled a Donner party bride’s 32-day trek through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. And in the pages of “Under the Flaming Sky,” he revealed the social, economic and environmental causes of the Great Hinkley Firestorm of 1894.

“Boys in the Boat,” the tale of the UW crew team that overcame seemingly impossible obstacles, has been translated into more than a dozen languages and is the recipient of several awards including the American Library Association’s Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. The story brings to life Seattle in the 1930s, following the men’s rowing team to Olympic gold. Pivotal to the team’s success was the way people in the community contributed hard-earned funds to send the team to Berlin. This epic narrative of innovation, collaboration and shared success continues to endure, largely because those same values unite the UW and the Pacific Northwest today.

Susan Solomon

The UW will also recognize , an MIT atmospheric chemist whose research has left an indelible mark on the fields of atmospheric science and climate research, significantly advancing the understanding of ozone depletion and the chemistry of the Earth’s stratosphere.

Her groundbreaking research played a crucial role in identifying and elucidating the mechanisms behind the Antarctic ozone hole, leading to the historic Montreal Protocol — an international treaty that successfully curtailed the use of ozone-depleting substances and helped protect the Earth’s fragile ozone layer. Her contributions have deepened scientific knowledge and led to tangible policy actions that have safeguarded the environment and the health of future generations.

In 2007, Solomon, as co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group One, was among those honored by the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Vice President Al Gore. She is a recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and was awarded the U.S. National Medal of Science in 2000. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and her master’s and doctoral degrees from University of California, Berkeley.

Solomon spent sabbaticals in 2008 and 2019 collaborating and teaching graduate students at the UW’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences. In 2019, Solomon was the Robert Fleagle Endowed Lecturer.

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Thousands cheer on UW graduates as more than 7,000 degrees conferred at Husky Stadium /news/2023/06/10/commencement2023/ Sun, 11 Jun 2023 04:32:42 +0000 /news/?p=81896

Light rain didn’t dampen spirits for this year’s graduates and their proud friends and family members. More than 7,000 graduates of the Class of 2023 participated in Saturday’s 148th Commencement on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

UW officials estimated more than 40,000 spectators filled the stands to cheer on this year’s graduating class.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce presented nearly 18,158 degrees to the Class of 2023 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the university’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also participated in the ceremonies.

See highlights from Saturday’s ceremony at Husky Stadium in the photo gallery below.

Graduates pose at the 's 2023 Commencement ceremony.
Spectators at the 's 2023 Commencement ceremony wearing purple rain ponchos.
Graduates at the 's 2023 Commencement ceremony.
Spectators at the 's 2023 Commencement ceremony.
A graduation cap reads 'I did it' at the UW 2023 Commencement ceremony
Graduates walk into Husky Stadium at the 2023 Commencement ceremony
Graduates at the UW 2023 Commencement ceremony.
Graduates walk into Husky Stadium at the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
The 's 2023 Commencement Ceremony at Husky Stadium
A graduation cap decorated with a W, a husky and 2023.
Graduates cheer at the  2023 Commencement Ceremony.
A graduate poses in front of Drumheller Fountain.
A graduate in front of Husky Stadium at the 's 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
Graduates at the 's 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

The following graduation , drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, was presentedat the Board of Regents’ June 8 meeting:

  • For work completed at the Seattle campus, about 14,494 degrees were conferred, specifically: 8,483 bachelor’s degrees, 4,593 master’s degrees, 589 professional degrees, 15 Educational Specialist degrees, and 815 doctoral degrees
  • At UW Tacoma, where celebrations took place Friday morning at the Tacoma Dome, students received about 1,778 degrees, including 1,465 bachelor’s degrees, 312 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree. Watch a replay of the UW Tacoma Commencement
  • At UW Bothell, where ceremonies took place Sunday at T-Mobile Park, about 1,885 degrees were conferred, including 1,679 bachelor’s degrees and 207 master’s degrees. Watch a replay of the UW Bothell Commencement

Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2022-2023 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.

Related coverage: KIRO 7 () and (), , , , , ,

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UW celebrates Class of 2023 as thousands expected to march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park /news/2023/06/06/uw-celebrates-class-of-2023-as-thousands-march-in-events-in-husky-stadium-the-tacoma-dome-and-t-mobile-park/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:16:05 +0000 /news/?p=81824 graduates celebrating
The will host commencement ceremonies beginning Friday when UW Tacoma celebrates at the Tacoma Dome. On Saturday, Husky Stadium will host more than 7,000 graduates, and on Sunday, UW Bothell will host festivities at T-Mobile Park. Photo:

UPDATE on June 10: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Secretary Cardona will not be speaking at today’s commencement ceremony.

ORIGINAL POST: Months after the Class of 2023 began their college careers, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, upending their lives. Now, on the eve of their graduation, they emerge into a world much changed by the global health crisis.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona — who will be the featured speaker at the ’s 148th Commencement ceremony on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium — said he acknowledged the perseverance of the graduating class, having endured challenges few could have predicted.

“Their resilience and determination will drive their success wherever they go,” Cardona said.

More than 7,000 UW graduates of the Class of 2023 plan to participate in the June 10 ceremony and hear Cardona’s address. Officials expect about 40,000 family and friends to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands.

UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 9, returning to the Tacoma Dome after a three-year absence for what is expected to be the largest single ceremony in UW Tacoma history. UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 11, back at T-Mobile Park in Seattle for the first time in three years.

UW Tacoma’s is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 9, at the Tacoma Dome. Doors open 60 minutes in advance.

The June 10 Commencement ceremony in Seattle will be streamed online starting at 12:30 p.m. Doors to Husky Stadium open at 12:30 p.m. “Purple Carpet” programming begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the procession of graduates at 1:30 p.m. and the Commencement ceremony at about 2 p.m.

UW Bothell will host the at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, June 11, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony. A Graduate Hooding Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 10, on the UW Bothell sports field.

 

UW President Ana Mari Cauce will present nearly 18,158 degrees to the Class of 2023 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the university’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also will participate in the ceremonies.

The following , drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, will be presentedat the Board of Regents’ June 8 meeting:

  • For work completed at the Seattle campus, about 14,494 degrees will be conferred, specifically: 8,483 bachelor’s degrees, 4,593 master’s degrees, 589 professional degrees, 15 Educational Specialist degrees, and 815 doctoral degrees.
  • At UW Bothell, about 1,885 degrees will be conferred, including 1,679 bachelor’s degrees and 207 master’s degrees.
  • And at UW Tacoma, students will receive about 1,778 degrees, including 1,465 bachelor’s degrees, 312 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree.

Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2022-2023 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to address UW’s Class of 2023 /news/2023/04/12/u-s-secretary-of-education-miguel-cardona-to-address-uws-class-of-2023/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 21:04:30 +0000 /news/?p=81197 commencement celebrations
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona deliver the 2023 Commencement address on June 10. Photo: April Hong/

UPDATE on June 10:Due to unforeseen circumstances, Secretary Cardona will not be speaking at today’s commencement ceremony.

ORIGINAL POST: U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will deliver the 2023 Commencement address for the 148th ceremony, which takes place June 10 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

Cardona, who began his career as an elementary school teacher, was tapped by President Joe Biden to serve the nation and help schools reopen following the COVID lockdown. He aims to raise the bar for equity and excellence in education for all learners, and notes a commitment to working in partnership with parents, families, students and educators to recover from the pandemic and reimagine a higher-performing and more equitable education system that works better for all.

“We are thrilled to welcome Secretary Cardona to the UW and delighted that he will address this year’s graduating class. His leadership in addressing the burden of student loans and hiscommitment to increasing access to higher education so that more students can succeed in pursuing their dreams is creating impact at the UW and throughout Washington and the nation,” UW President Ana Mari Cauce said. “I know our graduates and their families will be inspired by his participation in their special day.”

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U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Photo: Department of Education

Under Cardona’s leadership, the Education Department has focused on helping all K-12 students accelerate learning and achieve academic excellence; delivering a comprehensive and rigorous education for every student; eliminating the teacher shortage for every school; investing in every student’s mental health and well-being; providing every student with a pathway to multilingualism; and ensuring every student has avenues to college and a career.

“The is an exciting place that continues to raise the bar for academic excellence, innovation and inclusion, and I’m truly honored to join the UW community in celebrating the Class of 2023,” Cardona said. “These students will graduate having persevered through all the challenges presented by a global pandemic, and their resilience and determination will drive their success wherever they go.”

2023 Commencement Information

UW’s 148th Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. UW Bothell’s graduation at T-Mobile Park. The Commencement ceremony for UW Tacoma is at the Tacoma Dome.

 

Before moving to Washington, D.C., Cardona served as Connecticut’s commissioner of education, a position he held since 2019. Connecticut was the first state in the nation to provide equitable access to learning devices amid the COVID pandemic and was one of the first in the country to reopen schools. Recognizing the importance of providing resources for the social and emotional health of students and staff, the state also collaborated with regional institutions of higher education and formed other public-private partnerships to provide free social and emotional learning courses for students.

Prior to his time in Hartford, Cardona worked for years in the same Connecticut school system he attended as a child. He started as a classroom teacher and then served as a school principal and assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. He is the recipient of the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of Connecticut and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education.

Cardona earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Connecticut.

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