WHAT: Washington University’s 162nd Commencement ceremony
The university will confer academic degrees on approximately 3,500 undergraduate, graduate and professional students in the Class of 2023.
The universitywide ceremony will be followed by an all-school Commencement festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will feature local food and beverages, games, photo opportunities and live entertainment stretching from Mudd Field on the western edge of the Danforth Campus to Tisch Park on the east end.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: Sterling K. Brown, a St. Louis native and an award-winning actor and producer, will deliver the Commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of fine arts degree.
WHERE: Francis Olympic Field, at Forsyth Boulevard and Olympian Way, near Big Bend Boulevard
WHEN: 9 a.m. Monday, May 15, 2023
MEDIA CREDENTIALS AND PARKING: Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of Blewett Hall, 6500 Forsyth Blvd. From Forsyth Boulevard, turn south onto Wallace Circle drive; media parking is on the surface lot immediately on the right.
Media must show press credentials from only the news organizations sent this media advisory to access the lot and pick up a WashU-issued media credential to cover the universitywide Commencement ceremony.
Media must wear a WashU-issued media credential while covering the ceremony. Media credentials will also be available near the Francis Olympic Field gate from university media relations team members. See contact information below.
LIVE TV BROADCASTS: TV stations that would like to shoot live from near Francis Olympic Field must make arrangements with Liam Otten beforehand to get parking instructions. Liam’s number is 314-874-6331. PLEASE NOTE: The closest parking is the Blewett Hall lot, which is across Forsyth from the field.
MEDIA RESERVED SEATING: News organizations sending a reporter to Commencement should call Sara Savat at 314-910-1959 by 5 p.m. Friday, May 12, to make arrangements for a reserved seat.
A mult box will be available near the stage. The reserved media seats are in the chancellor’s section, on the eastern side of Francis Olympic Field, closest to the main gate.
MEDIA ASSISTANCE the morning of Commencement, call Sara Savat at 314-910-1959 or Neil Schoenherr at 314-239-9734.
A live stream of the Commencement ceremony will be available on the Commencement website.
