Commencement 2017
Washington University
156th Commencement Ceremony:
May 18 & 19, 2017
Congratulations, graduates!
See Commencement 2017 video, photos, tweets and more:
Celebrating the Class of 2017 »
Graduate profile: Hilary Gallin
“I kept asking myself if I, as a physician, would have the knowledge and skills to best treat a patient with disabilities.”
Doctor of Medicine candidate Hilary Gallin developed a curriculum to improve care for patients with disabilities.
Read Hilary’s story »
Schedule of events
In addition to the all-university Commencement ceremony on the Danforth Campus, each academic program at the School of Medicine holds separate graduation ceremonies at which students receive their diplomas and individual recognition.
Ceremonies below are listed by academic program and are not in chronological order.
All graduates
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
All-University Commencement
8:30 a.m. Brookings Quadrangle (Danforth Campus)
Keynote speaker: Anna Quindlen, best-selling author, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and social critic
See details and livestream »
Doctor of Medicine programs
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017
Pre-Commencement Reception
5 – 7 p.m. Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (Medical Campus)
See reception details »
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Commencement Recognition Ceremony
3 p.m. Ferrara Theater, America’s Center (off campus)
Keynote speaker: Leana Wen, MD ’07, commissioner of health for the city of Baltimore
Livestream available day of event »
See ceremony details »
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony
Washington Lobby, America’s Center
Audiology & Communication Sciences programs
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Recognition Ceremony & Diploma Distribution
1 p.m. Connor Auditorium, Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (Medical Campus)
Keynote speaker: Craig A. Buchman, MD, Lindburg Professor and head of the Department of Otolaryngology
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony
Biology & Biomedical Sciences programs
THURSDAY MAY 18, 2017
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Hooding and Recognition Ceremony
Honorees include PhD candidates from the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences
4 p.m. Varsity Gym, Athletics Complex (Danforth Campus)
Information for graduates »
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Reception: 11 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Cupples II lawn (Danforth Campus)
Rain location: The Gargoyle (lower level), Mallinckrodt Center
Master’s programs: AHBR, MPHS & MSCI
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017
Joint Recognition Ceremony
Recognizing graduates of master’s programs in Applied Health Behavior Research, Population Health Sciences and Clinical Investigation
4 p.m. King Center, Bernard Becker Medical Library (Medical Campus)
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony
Clinical Research Training Center website »
Master of Population Health Sciences website »
Occupational Therapy programs
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Reception: 11 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Holmes Lounge (Danforth Campus)
Diploma Ceremony
Immediately following reception, Graham Chapel (Danforth Campus)
Keynote speaker: Aimee Wehmeier, executive director and CEO of Paraquad
See speaker and ceremony details »
Physical Therapy programs
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Reception: 11:30 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Lindell Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza (off campus)
Keynote speaker: Ethel Frese, DPT, (MS ’85, BS ’74) professor of physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University
Diploma Distribution & Hooding Ceremony
1:30 p.m. Khorassan Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza (off campus)