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Celebration '26, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, with a photo of students hugging wearing grad caps
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Celebration Columbian College of Arts and Sciences over an image of two graduates in blue caps hugging

 

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

2026 School Celebration

Thursday, May 14–Saturday, May 16

 

 

A young GW graduate in cap and gown smiling beneath a banner reading "Buff and Blue"

The GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences looks forward to honoring this year's graduates! During Commencement Weekend, Columbian College holds separate Celebration ceremonies to honor our undergraduate and graduate students.

GW Commencement on the National Mall will be held on Sunday, May 17. 

 

Ceremony Tickets

Each CCAS undergraduate will receive 4 guest tickets to school ceremonies. Doctoral and master's graduates will receive 6 guest tickets to celebrations. If you have questions about the registration process, refer to the how to register guide or contact commencementatgwu [dot] edu (commencement[at]gwu[dot]edu). 

 

Capline blue

 

CCAS Celebrations

 

Capline blue
 

 

Celebration To-Dos

Bag Policy for School Celebrations

  • Bags larger than 5”x7”x 0.75” are prohibited at all school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall.  Diaper and ADA/medical bags up to 16”x16”x8” will be allowed. For more information and a list of prohibited items, see the GW Commencement website.

Travel Impacts

  • May 16 and 17: WMATA Metro will have no Yellow/Blue Line service between Crystal City and Potomac Yard stations.
  • May 17: Freedom250  event may cause street closures around Commencement and increase rideshare demand. 

 

 

 

Dean Paul Wahlbeck Columbian College
 
Blue and white quotation marks

 

"Your graduation is a moment of great pride for me and, of course, a moment of tremendous significance for you. It symbolizes an important starting point, the beginning of a new chapter, the commencement of a new journey in your life."

Paul Wahlbeck
Dean, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

 

#CCASOnward