2021 Commencement

The UW’s 2021 commencement ceremonies will be held virtually, including all college, school and department graduation celebrations. Based on consultations with UW Tacoma undergraduate and graduate students, student leaders, health experts, and the University’s deans and chancellors, we determined regretfully that holding an in-person commencement ceremony in the Tacoma Dome — which in a normal year brings upwards of 10,000 graduates, families and friends to downtown Tacoma — or events throughout our facilities, is simply not possible in the interest of public health. Rising case counts in recent days, along with the fact that the majority of the UW’s employees and students will likely not yet be fully vaccinated by commencement, make our conditions uniquely difficult and fluid when compared to other institutions around the country.

We know the lack of an in-person commencement is disappointing news for our 2021 graduates, as well as for the 2020 graduates whom we’d hoped to be able to recognize at an in-person ceremony this year. We are working on additional opportunities to celebrate our graduates during the traditional spring timeframe that are designed around ideas generated during a Community Conversation with undergraduate and graduate students. We will continue to work on opportunities to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 in the future. We’ll share details later this quarter. 

This page will continue to be your best source for the most up-to-date Commencement information.

If you are a fall 2020 graduate please ensure that you forward your UW email address before you lose your UW inbox access to ensure you receive Commencement announcements during Winter and Spring quarters.

2021 Commencement Student Conversation

Join fellow classmates as we share preliminary plans for the 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony and provide ideas as we finalize plans for additional opportunities to celebrate our graduates this spring.  

Tuesday, April 13, 2021
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

https://washington.zoom.us/j/93884910068
Meeting ID:  938 8491 0068
Call in: 253 215 8782 and enter Meeting ID
 

Virtual Grad Fair

Interested in ordering announcements, a class ring or learning more about the benefits of an Alumni membership?
Join us for UW Tacoma's Virtual Grad Fair.

Virtual Grad Fair
Thursday, April 22, 2021
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom 

https://washington.zoom.us/j/94862221693
Meeting ID: 948 6222 1693
Call in: 253.215.8782 and enter the Meeting ID

Commencement Info Sessions:

Monday, April 26, 2021
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

https://washington.zoom.us/j/94786282156
Meeting ID: 947 8628 2156
Call in: 253.215.8782 and enter the Meeting ID

Friday, April 30, 2021
2 - 3 p.m.
Via Zoom

https://washington.zoom.us/j/93894155661
Meeting ID: 938 9415 5661
Call in: 253.215.8782 and enter the Meeting ID

Tuesday, May 4, 2021
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

https://washington.zoom.us/j/94882115845
Meeting ID: 948 8211 5845
Call in: 253.215.8782 and enter the Meeting ID

Registration for Commencement and purchasing of caps, gowns and souvenir items will be open Monday, April 26 to Friday, May 21, 2021.

• Grads will need to order by Sunday, May 16, 2021 to guarantee delivery in advance of Commencement.  

• Purchases will be mailed directly to graduates at the address they provide while ordering.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021

Questions?

If you have questions about Commencement, please check our FAQ or email tcommenc@uw.edu

2020 Commencement: