Ceremonies

Commencement at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion

On June 15, 2025, the University of Washington Bothell will honor the graduating Class of 2025 at the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Hundreds of graduates will take the floor at Alaska Airlines Arena to the cheers and applause of family members and friends. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime event in the lives of graduates and parents alike – an experience not to be missed.

Location: 3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98195

The Purple Ceremony includes master and bachelor graduates from the School of Business, the School of Educational Studies and the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences.

  • 9 a.m. – Student check-in
  • 10 a.m. – Doors open for guests
  • 11 a.m. – Procession begins

The Gold Ceremony includes master and bachelor graduates from the School of Nursing & Health Studies and the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

  • 2 p.m. – Student check-in
  • 3 p.m. – Doors open for guests
  • 4 p.m. – Procession begins

Graduates

All graduates are required to wear cap and gown, which may be purchased through the Registration/Order Form. Graduates are responsible for ordering and distributing guest tickets for their family and friends. All students are expected to read the student instructions and ceremony conduct agreement. Students can read the Graduate FAQs webpage for more information.

Tickets and guests

Entrance tickets are required for all guests. All tickets are complimentary and should be ordered by the graduate when completing the Registration/Order Form. There is a limit of eight guest tickets for each student. For more information, visit the Tickets webpage.

Reserved disability seating is available through the registration/order form for guests in wheelchairs, guests with mobility impairment and guests needing American Sign Language. For more information, visit the disability accommodations webpage.

Please refer to the Guests webpage for more information.

Student inspections

All students will be visually inspected upon entry to the line up area. Be prepared to open your gown for visual inspection. No backpacks, alcohol or smoking is allowed. We encourage you to not bring bags or purses as there is no secure location to store them and they are not allowed on the arena floor.

Any items deemed by the University of Washington Bothell staff to be inappropriate or possibly disruptive of other guests’ enjoyment are prohibited. Violators are subject to removal from the arena and to applicable disciplinary action and/or legal action.

For a list of items prohibited in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, visit the security information webpage.

Photography

Out of consideration for other members of the audience, it is requested that those who wish to take photographs during the ceremony remain in their seats.

Professional commencement photographs will be taken by ProPics photographers as each graduate crosses the stage and shakes hands with the chancellor or dean. Each graduate will also be photographed as they approach and/or exit the stage.

After graduation, graduates may order their graduation photographs online through the ProPics website by entering their last name or by calling 877.619.7997.

Ceremony conduct agreement

Commencement is intended to be a festive occasion celebrating the accomplishments of our students, however, it is also ceremonial. Graduates are expected to abide by the following guidelines:

  • Graduates must follow any public health directives in place on June 15 regarding the wearing of masks, vaccination, or COVID-19 testing.
  • Graduates should remain in their seats during the entire ceremony, unless using the restrooms.
  • Wandering around the floor of the stadium and visiting with guests in the stands is prohibited.
  • Cell phones are permitted, but out of courtesy for other participants students are asked to make judicious use of phones and not use them during the formal speaking portions of the ceremony.
  • It is particularly important that students respect their fellow students and the faculty, administrators and guests who have come to witness and participate in the conferring of their degrees. For this reason, graduates are expected to return to their seats after they walk and remain there until all students have walked and the members of the stage party have exited the stage.