Commencement Weekend, the time to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the graduating class, is fast approaching! The final stages of your journey as a Puget Sound student will be fun and full of excitement, but there are several details you will need to take care of before graduation.
Use the following information to prepare for a stress-free Commencement Weekend. Throughout the spring semester, watch your inbox for the latest updates about graduation festivities, ceremony tickets, how to order your cap and gown, and other important details. All Commencement communications will be available for graduates and parents to reference on this website.
The Office of Events will be happy to help answer your Commencement-related inquiries. Please get in touch with us at commencement@pugetsound.edu.
Commencement Ceremony
Ceremony Details
The 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, in Baker Stadium. Event gates open at noon and guest seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremony will conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. followed by a reception hosted on the Event Lawn.
Visit Ceremony Information to learn about stadium policies, campus parking, preparing for Washington weather, and ceremony etiquette.
Ceremony Bag Check: Guests are permitted to bring a single small, clear bag no larger than 14" wide, 14" high, and 6" deep into the stadium. Alternatively, small clutches, purses, and wallets not exceeding 4.5" by 6.5" are also allowed. Larger bags, backpacks, coolers, and similar items are strictly prohibited. Guests are permitted to bring bleacher seat cushions into the stadium.
Those who aren't able to attend the ceremony in-person can watch the live stream on the Commencement website the day of the ceremony.
Tickets
Tickets are required to attend the Commencement Ceremony. Each graduate is allocated up to six tickets for family and friends. Graduates do not need a ticket, as they will be participating in the ceremony. Before Winter Break, graduates will receive an email with a link to register for their tickets. In the ticket request, you can indicate if you need additional tickets and specific seating accommodation needs for guests, such as captioning, American Sign Language interpretation, or wheelchair accessibility.
Tickets will be distributed beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Thursday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m.‒2 p.m. in Wheelock Student Center, Rasmussen Rotunda at our two Grad Fair events. Following Grad Fair, tickets will be available for students to pick up starting Monday, March 3 in the Logger Store on weekdays between 9 a.m.‒5 p.m. Students will need to provide their Student ID when picking up tickets.
Seating Accommodations
There will be designated seating areas on the field inside the stadium for guests who require ground-level seating, captioning, an American Sign Language interpreter, and wheelchair-accessibility. Students can include seating accommodation needs when they submit their ticket registration.
Stadium gates will open at noon. Commencement ushers will be available inside the gates to assist guests who need seating accommodations. A designated section will be available for those requiring ground-level seating, although seats for this section will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be aware that ground-level seating will not be covered. Limited covered seating will be available for guests who require captioning, an American Sign Language interpreter, or wheelchair-accessibility access.
We strongly encourage everyone to prepare for various weather conditions by bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, caps, umbrellas, raincoats, etc. Rain ponchos will be provided underneath each seat on the field.
Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot 3, directly across from Baker Stadium. Additional lots with accessible parking can be found using our interactive map, or printable campus map. Be advised that N. 11th St., located in front of Baker Stadium, will be closed on the day of the Commencement Ceremony. However, guests requiring accessibility accommodations will be permitted to use the street for drop-off purposes at the stadium entrance.
We are committed to ensuring that all guests have a comfortable and inclusive experience at the Commencement Ceremony. For questions regarding seating accommodations, please contact us at commencement@pugetsound.edu.
Commencement Weekend Activities
View the full schedule of Commencement Activities & Events including Identity-Based Celebrations and Department Receptions.
Commencement Schedule of Events (Printable)
Grad Fair
This year’s Grad Fair will be hosted on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Thursday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m.‒2 p.m. in Wheelock Student Center, Rasmussen Rotunda. Grad Fair provides graduates the opportunity to pick up ceremony tickets, order their cap and gown, take professional graduation portraits, talk to the Registrar’s Office, check out grad programs, learn about becoming an alum, review name pronunciation, and much more! A Grad Fair invite will be emailed to grads in early 2025.
Caps and Gowns
Don't forget to order your cap and gown for the ceremony. Graduates are required to wear a black cap and gown over their regular attire to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, and Puget Sound 2025 stoles can be ordered from the university's regalia partner, Oak Hall. All cap and gown orders will be shipped directly to students.
Please note: All honor cords and stoles will be distributed by individual departments and programs.
Do you need a cap and gown, but can't afford to purchase it? Puget Sound offers a limited number of caps and gowns for students to borrow if purchasing new Commencement regalia presents a financial burden. Visit the Cap and Gown Loaner Program to fill out the request form.
Ceremony Name Pronunciation
Let us know how to properly pronounce your name during the Commencement Ceremony. If interested, go to StageClip and log in using your campus email address and Student ID. Once logged in, search for your name and listen to the provided pronunciation. If you would like to update the pronunciation, you may provide a recording or a phonetic spelling.
Review Your Name Pronunciation
The deadline to review and update the pronunciation of your name is Wednesday, April 24.
Graduation Announcements
Celebrate your remarkable journey and the achievement of your college graduation with your loved ones. CB Graduation Announcements offers a variety of beautiful photo announcement layouts and convenient package options to help you share this milestone.
Professional Photographs
During the Commencement Ceremony, a photographer will take photographs of graduates receiving their diploma on stage. Within a few days of the ceremony, graduates will receive an email message with instructions on how to view their ceremony photos. These photos will be available online to view without obligation and may be purchased directly from GradImages.
GradImages will offer professional graduate portraits during Grad Fair on February 26, and February 27, from 11 a.m.‒2 p.m. in Wheelock Student Center, Rasmussen Rotunda.
Senior Gift
The Office of Alumni & Parent Relations is so excited to welcome you to our alumni community! Be sure to pick up your senior gift at Grad Fair 2025. Come by Wheelock Student Center, Rasmussen Rotunda on February 26, and 27, between 11 a.m.‒2 p.m. to collect your senior gift and celebrate your accomplishments!
Hometown News Release
Share your achievement with your hometown! University of Puget Sound is proud to recognize your graduation on Merit Pages, a platform that showcases student success to a wider audience. The Office of Marketing & Communications will prepare a news release and distribute it to newspapers in your local community. Please note, participation in this program is entirely optional. To opt-out, please email Veronica Craker.
Where to Stay
See our list of area hotels that offer a Commencement discount to Puget Sound families! Many families also enjoy booking local home rentals in the area. View our list of area hotels and transportation.
Transportation
There are a number of transportation options to and from SeaTac International Airport.
- Shuttle Express
www.shuttleexpress.com
425.487.7000
800.487.7433 - Capital Aeroporter
www.capair.com
253.927.6179 - Sound Transit (regional public transit)
www.soundtransit.org/
800.201.4900
Your Last Semester
Tie up those loose ends and have a smooth and stress-free final semester. Get information about degree requirements, your diploma, student finances, and returning library materials.
December Grads
Are you graduating in December? All December 2024 graduates are invited to participate in the May 2025 Commencement Weekend activities! Please update your contact information or contact the Office of Events with any change to your email and/or mailing address so that you will continue to receive Commencement communications.
Becoming Alumni
Your adventures as a Logger have only just begun. You are about to join an alumni community of over 40,000 Loggers around the globe with unique stories and careers. Our alumni want to meet you and learn from you. Visit Alumni Resources to prepare for life after Commencement and connect with members of the Logger community.
Upcoming Alumni Events
In an effort to provide an enriching alumni experience, the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations will be hosting the following events to connect the alumni community.
Summer Reunion Weekend
June 6–8, 2025
Homecoming & Family Weekend
October 10–12, 2025
