For the first time in the 91探花鈥檚 159-year history, two commencement ceremonies are planned for this year鈥檚 graduates. The first ceremony, broadcast worldwide on the internet, is scheduled for Saturday with the opening procession planned for 1:30 p.m. The second ceremony is planned for spring 2021 at Husky Stadium.
Saturday鈥檚 online ceremony unites all three 91探花campuses to celebrate the class of 2020. People from 40 countries across the globe are expected to participate and translation services will be available in nine languages. This year around 18,000 degrees will be awarded across all three campuses.
鈥淭he Class of 2020 will be an historic class, having completed their degrees during a period of profound disruption and national reflection,鈥� 91探花President Ana Mari Cauce said. 鈥淲e are so proud of what they have accomplished and can鈥檛 wait to see the impact they will make on our world, which urgently needs their talent, passion and commitment.鈥�
[Update: Watch a video recapping some highlights from the virtual commencement on Saturday]
Cauce will deliver the keynote address to all 91探花graduates and degrees will be conferred, after which the Bothell and Tacoma campuses will break off to their own online ceremonies.
There鈥檚 much to celebrate:
- For work completed at the Seattle campus, students will receive around 13,900 degrees, specifically 8,145 bachelor’s degrees, 4,302 master’s degrees, 825 doctoral degrees, 591 professional degrees and 10 educational specialist degrees.
- At 91探花Bothell, students will receive about 2,100 degrees, including 1,908 bachelor’s degrees and 182 master’s degrees. Each registered 91探花Bothell graduate received a celebration box that, among other gifts, includes a free, one-year membership to the 91探花Alumni Association.
- And at 91探花Tacoma, students will receive 2,006 degrees, which includes 1,921 undergraduate and master鈥檚-level students who have graduated or formally applied to graduate in spring/summer 2020. Another 85 master鈥檚 graduates are anticipated for summer 2020. Tacoma鈥檚 class, the largest in the campus鈥檚 history, includes the first cohort of a bachelor of science degree in urban design from the School of Urban Studies.
The commencement ceremony will be streamed live online starting at noon. The 鈥淧urple Carpet鈥� commentary begins at 12:30 p.m. The procession of graduates begins at 1:30 p.m. and the commencement ceremony begins around 2 p.m.
Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Members of the Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the university鈥檚 16 colleges and schools will participate in the ceremony. Many colleges and schools also have separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.