UW celebrates Class of 2026 with 151st Commencement in Husky Stadium and ceremonies in the Tacoma Dome and HecEd
Our take
The University of Washington’s 151st Commencement ceremony, set to unfold across Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome, and HecEd, marks a significant milestone for the Class of 2026. It’s a moment of celebration, of course, but also a reflection of the evolving landscape of higher education and the diverse pathways students now navigate to reach this point. The scale of the event – multiple locations – speaks to the sheer size of UW’s graduating class and its continued status as a major research institution. This ceremony arrives at a time of increased focus on innovation and cutting-edge research, as exemplified by recent advancements in materials development facilitated by AI and quantum computing AI and quantum computing accelerate materials development at UW. The achievements of UW faculty and researchers, recently recognized with prestigious fellowships UW faculty and researchers recognized with ACLS Fellowship, Beckman Fellowship and Humboldt Award, further underscore the university's commitment to intellectual exploration and societal impact.
Beyond the individual accomplishments of each graduate, the commencement signals a broader shift in what it means to be a university graduate. The modern student experience, particularly at a large public institution like UW, is characterized by complexity and opportunity. Students are often juggling multiple majors, engaging in research, participating in extracurricular activities, and navigating the pressures of a competitive job market. The ceremony acknowledges this multifaceted journey, highlighting the dedication and resilience required to succeed. It's not simply about earning a degree; it’s about developing a skillset, cultivating a network, and preparing to contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world. The pressures on institutions to support this evolving student body are immense, and the celebratory atmosphere of commencement offers a brief respite while also serving as a reminder of the ongoing responsibilities. The relatively quiet movement of WSU's football program, adding a commitment and losing another WSU football adds commitment from WR Tomas Dixon, loses WR Malachi Garlington demonstrates the constant flux and adaptation required within the broader Washington state higher education ecosystem.
The role of the featured speaker, University of Washington President Robert J. Jones, will be particularly important this year. His address likely won't just offer platitudes about the future; it will likely address the challenges and opportunities facing graduates as they enter a world grappling with economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and social change. It represents a crucial moment for institutional leadership to provide guidance and inspire the next generation of leaders. We can expect reflections on the university’s commitment to public service, its dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, and its ongoing efforts to address critical societal needs. The sheer scale of the event, with its multiple venues, suggests that UW is consciously trying to reach as many graduates and their families as possible, acknowledging the importance of this shared milestone.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how UW continues to adapt its commencement ceremonies to reflect the changing needs and expectations of its graduating classes. Will we see further innovation in delivery methods, perhaps incorporating virtual elements or personalized experiences? Will the focus shift further towards celebrating the real-world impact of student work, showcasing the problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial spirit that they have cultivated? One key question to watch is whether universities can effectively balance the traditional aspects of commencement—the speeches, the pomp, the circumstance—with a more modern and relevant expression of what it means to graduate in the 21st century.
University of Washington President Robert J. Jones will preside at the UW’s 151st Commencement ceremony on Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.
“I see profound potential in the 2026 graduating class, in their capacity to combine purpose, skill and cooperation in ways that will change the world,” Jones said. “They are innovators, scientists, artists, educators, healers, entrepreneurs and storytellers who have made their mark on the UW and are poised to do the same in the world beyond. Because of that, I feel not just hope — but confidence — that the future is in their capable hands.”
More than 7,500 UW graduates of the Class of 2026 — the most ever to register for a UW commencement — plan to participate in the June 13 ceremony. Officials expect as many as 50,000 family members and friends to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands. Families from 42 countries from every continent except Antarctica have registered to join the ceremony virtually.
Mary E. Brunkow, Class of ’83, who shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is the featured speaker.
President Jones will present nearly 18,462 degrees to the Class of 2026 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies. Members of the UW Board of Regents, deans and other representatives of the University’s 24 colleges and schools across all three campuses also will participate in the ceremonies.
The following data, drawn from preliminary information broken down by campus and prepared by the Office of the University Registrar, will be presented at the Board of Regents’ June 11 meeting:
- For work completed at the Seattle campus, about 14,932 degrees will be conferred, specifically: 9,066 bachelor’s degrees, 4,372 master’s degrees, 615 professional degrees, 16 Educational Specialist degrees, and 863 doctoral degrees.
- At UW Bothell, about 1,886 degrees will be conferred, including 1,619 bachelor’s degrees and 267 master’s degrees.
- And at UW Tacoma, students will receive about 1,644 degrees, including 1,321 bachelor’s degrees, 304 master’s degrees, 10 Educational Specialist degrees and nine doctoral degrees.
Degrees are awarded to those who have completed academic requirements during the 2025-2026 academic year. Many colleges and schools also hold separate graduation programs and investiture ceremonies.
UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 12 at the Tacoma Dome. UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 14 at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
More information
UW Tacoma’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, at the Tacoma Dome. To watch a livestream, visit the UW Tacoma commencement website. Doors open 60 minutes in advance.
The June 13 Commencement ceremony in Seattle will be streamed starting at 12:30 p.m. To watch, visit the UW commencement website. Doors to Husky Stadium open at 12:30 p.m. “Purple Carpet” programming begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the procession of graduates at 1:30 p.m. and the Commencement ceremony at about 2 p.m.
UW Bothell will host the 35th annual Commencement Ceremonies on Sunday, June 14, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle. The Purple Ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m., includes students from the Schools of Business, Educational Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. The Gold Ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m., is for students from the schools of Nursing & Health Studies and of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony.
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