Commencement 2019
Washington University
Commencement Ceremonies:
May 16 & 17, 2019
Congratulations, graduates!
See Commencement video, photos, tweets and more:
Celebrating the Class of 2019 »
#WashU19 graduate profile: Weston McCarron

“I understand people feeling desperate.” MD candidate generously provides cohorts his perspective as an older student with low-income, rural roots.
All-university Commencement:
Medical student Keane to give graduate student address »
School of Medicine Commencement schedule
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 are listed by academic program and are not in chronological order.
All graduates
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
All-University Commencement
8:30 a.m. Brookings Quadrangle (Danforth Campus)
Livestream and ceremony details »
Keynote speaker: Michael R. Bloomberg, 108th mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies
Graduate student speaker: Alexandra Keane, MD candidate
Doctor of Medicine programs
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019
Pre-Commencement Reception
5 – 7 p.m. Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (Medical Campus)
Reception details »
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
Commencement Recognition Ceremony
3 p.m. Ferrara Theater, America’s Center (off-campus – downtown St. Louis)
Livestream and ceremony details »
Keynote speaker: Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, pediatrician, scientist, public health expert and Flint water crisis whistleblower
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony
Washington Lobby, America’s Center
Audiology & Communication Sciences programs (PACS)
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
Recognition Ceremony & Diploma Distribution
1 p.m. Eric P. Newman Education Center, main auditorium (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 (DBBS)
THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Hooding and Recognition Ceremony
Honorees include PhD candidates in the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences
4 p.m. Varsity Gym, Athletics Complex (Danforth Campus)
Information for graduates »
Keynote speaker: Wayne Fields, Lynne Cooper Harvey Chair Emeritus in English and professor of English in Arts & Sciences; renowned author and expert on American presidential rhetoric and political argument
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
Diploma pick-up and reception: 11 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Cupples II lawn – south (Danforth Campus); rain location: The Gargoyle, Mallinckrodt Center, lower level (Danforth Campus)
Master’s programs: AHBR, MPHS & MSCI
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019
Joint Recognition Ceremony
Recognizing graduates of master’s programs in Applied Health Behavior Research, Population Health Sciences and Clinical Investigation
4 p.m. Eric P. Newman Education Center, Great Room (Medical Campus)
Keynote speaker: Eva Marie Aagaard, MD, senior associate dean for education and Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Professor of Medical Education
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony
Clinical Research Training Center website »
Master of Population Health Sciences website »
Occupational Therapy programs
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019
Reception: 11 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Holmes Lounge (Danforth Campus)
Diploma Ceremony
1 p.m. Graham Chapel (Danforth Campus)
Livestream and ceremony details »
Keynote speaker: M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Elias Michael Director of the Program in Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy programs
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018
Reception: 11:30 a.m., or immediately following all-university Commencement
Lindell Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza (off campus)
Diploma Distribution & Hooding Ceremony
1:30 p.m. Khorassan Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza (off campus)
Keynote speaker: Patricia L. Scheets, director of quality and clinical outcomes for Infinity Rehab in Wilsonville, OR