Commencement Weekend, the time to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the graduating class, is almost here! The final stages of your journey as a Puget Sound student will be fun and full of excitement, but there are several details you will need to take care of prior to graduation.

Use the following information to help prepare for a stress-free Commencement Weekend. As May 5 approaches watch your inbox for the latest updates about graduation festivities, guest tickets, and other additional details throughout the spring semester. All emailed graduation communications will also be posted on the website.

The Office of Marketing & Communications will be happy to help answer your Commencement-related inquiries. Please get in touch with us at commencement@pugetsound.edu.

 

Commencement Ceremony Details

The 2024 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 in Baker Stadium. Event gates open at noon and guest seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremony will conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. followed by a reception hosted on the Event Lawn.

Go to Ceremony Information for additional details including stadium policies, campus parking, preparing for Washington weather, and considerations for guests who may need onsite accommodations. If you have questions or accommodation needs, please contact the Office of Marketing & Communications.

 

Tickets

Tickets are required to attend the Commencement Ceremony. Each graduate will receive six guest tickets to distribute to family and friends. Graduates do not need a ticket as they will be participating in the ceremony. Tickets will be distributed beginning Wednesday, March 6 & Tuesday, March 19 at our two Grad Fair events in Rasmussen Rotunda from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Following the Grad Fair, tickets will be available for students to pick up starting Monday, March 25 in the Logger Store. Students will need to provide their Student ID when picking up their tickets.

Limited additional tickets are available upon request by emailing commencement@pugetsound.edu. Please include the total number of tickets needed and a Student ID. Graduates and their families will be notified by email when additional tickets become available. 

 

Commencement Weekend Events​

View the full schedule of Commencement activities and events including Identity-Based Celebrations and Department Receptions.

 

Academic Convocation

A celebration of student achievement will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall. The event will feature remarks by selected student and faculty speakers and the presentation of university awards. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

 

Interfaith Baccalaureate Celebration

This celebration will be held Sunday, May 5 at 10 a.m. in Kilworth Memorial Chapel and is led by graduates from diverse backgrounds with support from University Chaplain Rev. Dave Wright ‘96. All graduates and families are welcome to participate in the program in ways appropriate for their own spiritual and religious identities.

 

Commencement Brunch

Members of the Class of 2024, families, guests, faculty, and staff are invited to the Commencement Brunch on Sunday, May 5, in Wheelock Student Center, Brunch will be served from 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. We highly encourage you to purchase brunch tickets in advance as they do sell out. Tickets are $12.95 for Class of 2024, $29.00 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 and under, and $32.00 on the day of Commencement if available. Tickets may be purchased in advance until May 3 or until sold out. Brunch will be served out of the Diner, with communal seating being available in lower and upper Marshall Hall. 

Purchase Brunch Tickets

 

Commencement Reception

Join the Class of 2024 and their guests at the Commencement Reception. The event begins at 4:30 p.m., following the Commencement Ceremony, on the Event Lawn. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided as you say "farewell and good luck" to our graduates and their families.

 

Grad Fair

This year’s Grad Fair will be hosted on Wednesday, March 6 & Tuesday, March 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Rasmussen Rotunda. Grad Fair provides graduates the opportunity to pick up ceremony tickets, order their cap and gown, take professional graduation portraits, talk to the registrar’s office, check out grad programs, learn about becoming an alum, review name pronunciation, and much more! A Grad Fair invite will be emailed to grads in February 2024.

 

Caps and Gowns

Graduates are required to wear a black cap and gown over their regular attire to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Cap, gowns, and announcements can be ordered from our regalia company, Oak Hall. All orders submitted to Oak Hall will be shipped directly to students. 

Deadline to submit your cap and gown order is Friday, April 5.

Order Your Cap & Gown

Still need a cap and gown, and can't afford to purchase it? Puget Sound is offering a limited number of caps and gowns on loan for the Class of 2024. Visit the Cap and Gown Loaner Program to fill out the request form. 

Please note that honor cords and stoles will be distributed by individual departments and programs.

 

Name Pronunciation

Help our Provost, Drew Kerkhoff, who will be reading graduate names during the ceremony by reviewing the pronunciation of your name. If interested, go to the online name pronunciation site and login using your campus email address and Student ID. Once logged in, search for your name and listen to the provided pronunciation. You may self-record your name if you would like to update the pronunciation. 

The deadline to review and update the pronunciation of your name is Friday, April 12.

Review Your Name Pronunciation

 

Where to Stay

Some area hotels offer a Commencement discount to Puget Sound families! Many families also enjoy booking local home rentals in the area. Here is a more comprehensive list of area hotels and transportation).

 

Your Last Semester

Don’t forget the details. Tie up those loose ends and have a smooth and stress-free final semester. Get information about degree requirements, your diploma, student finances, and returning library materials.

 

December Grads

Graduating in December? All December graduates are invited to participate in the May 2024 Commencement events! Please update your contact information or contact Alumni & Parent Relations with any change in your email and/or mailing address so that you will continue to receive Commencement communications.

 

Becoming Alumni

Your adventures as a Logger have only just begun. You are about to join an alumni community of over 40,000 Loggers across the globe with unique stories and careers. Our alumni want to meet you and learn from you. Use these resources to prepare for life after Commencement and connect with members of the Logger community.

 

Once a Logger, always a Logger!