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

Important Dates

Our Graduation Celebration Speaker

Ambassador Kristen Silverberg

President & COO at Business Roundtable

Ambassador Kristen Silverberg Biography

Ambassador Kristen Silverberg is President & COO at Business Roundtable, as association of 240 CEOs of leading U.S. companies. Prior to Business Roundtable, she was a Managing Director at the Institute of International Finance. She served in the George W. Bush Administration as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. She also held a number of senior positions at the White House, including Deputy Assistant to the President.

Ambassador Silverberg served in 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq, for which she received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. She formerly practiced law at Williams and Connolly, LLP, in Washington, DC, and served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Judge David Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals. She attended Harvard College and the University of Texas School of Law, where she graduated with High Honors. 

Commencement Registration

Now Open

Each graduating student who has indicated an intent to participate in commencement ceremonies on their graduation application is eligible to have:

• up to 5 guests for the May 17, 2024 Elliott School Celebration.
• up to 6 guests for the May 19, 2024 Commencement on the National Mall.

Registration for Commencement Week events closes on Wednesday, April 23.

Register for Commencement Here

Mandatory Graduation Surveys 

Required for all graduating students, these surveys are designed to help GW and Elliott learn more about the experiences and future plans of our students.

You must complete the appropriate survey to be able to register for Commencement.

Undergraduate Student Survey

Graduate Student Survey

Apply to Graduate

Spring 2025 graduates must submit a Graduation Application in GWeb by March 14, 2025.

Summer graduates who plan to attend the May commencement ceremony must apply for graduation after registering for summer 2025 courses no later than April 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, just 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 2024 graduate, can I participate in commencement? 

Yes, all fall 2024 graduates are eligible to participate and will be included in communications.

What if I miss the March 18 (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 Elliott School provide graduation cords or stoles?

Cords are handled by each organization. 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. If you are an Elliott School Dean's Scholar, you will be contacted about graduation cords for that program. Otherwise, there are no cords associated with Elliott School degree programs and Elliott does not provide cords or stoles for Latin Honors.

Are there two ceremonies for graduation? Which should I attend?

Yes, there is an Elliott School ceremony on May 16 AND a GW-wide commencement ceremony on May 18. You can attend both and the content will be different at each event! At the Elliott School ceremony, each graduating student will be recognized individually and cross the stage.

Please also refer to the University Commencement site 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.

Questions?

Contact us at [email protected].

View Past Celebrations

Contact us at [email protected] with questions.