Please direct questions about Commencement to Meghan Hogge.
NEW! The Commencement 2020 Program Book is now available as a viewable PDF. Click here to view the 2020 Program Book.
2020 Commencement Schedule
Based on federal and state guidance, we have made the determination that it will be necessary to postpone Commencement activities to a time in which we can safely convene as a community. We are committed to holding Commencement ceremonies and will ensure that our students and families have as much time to prepare as possible. In the time ahead, we will develop our plans and communicate updates as our planning for these rescheduled ceremonies advances.
In consultation with students and colleagues around the University, we have also determined the importance of also coming together virtually to celebrate the Class of 2020 this May.
Below you will find a schedule of the virtual activities planned for our community. On May 11, we will also launch a new website with videos, messages, and stories celebrating our students.
We hope that you will join us as we recognize the Class of 2020.
The 2020 Conferral of Degrees in Course
Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 PM EDT (8:00 PM Qatar time)
Watch on the Georgetown University Facebook Page
This ceremony will feature reflections for the Class of 2020 from several speakers, including President DeGioia and Provost Groves and a number of prominent alumni who wished to share their congratulations and include several university traditions such as the reading of the charter and singing of the Alma Mater (by a virtual choir).
Degrees in course will be conferred on the Class of 2020 degree candidates from the graduate and undergraduate programs of the Main Campus and Medical Center, and the professional and graduate programs of the Law Center by the President of the University. The candidates will be presented by the three Executive Vice Presidents as groups rather than by individual name at this virtual ceremony. We hope to be able to individually recognize our 2020 graduates at in-person celebrations to be held later.
School Ceremonies and Additional Gatherings:
School of Continuing Studies Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Wednesday, May 13 at 6:00 PM EDT
Watch on the School of Continuing Studies Facebook Page
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
Thursday, May 14 at 9:00 AM EDT
Watch on the Graduate School Facebook Page
Georgetown University in Qatar Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Thursday, May 14 at 12:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM Qatar time)
Phi Beta Kappa
Thursday, May 14 at 5:00 PM EDT
Watch on Youtube
Cultural Ceremonies
Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 PM EDT
Social Justice Send-Off
Friday, May 15
Watch the message from Social Justice
McDonough School of Business Undergraduate Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Friday, May 15 at 10:00 AM EDT
Watch on the McDonough School of Business Facebook Page
ROTC Commissioning
Friday, May 15 at 11:00 AM EDT
Georgetown College Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Friday, May 15 at 12:30 PM EDT
Watch on the Georgetown College Facebook Page
School of Nursing and Health Studies Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Friday, May 15 at 1:00 PM EDT
Watch on the School of Nursing and Health Studies Facebook Page
Walsh School of Foreign Service Undergraduate Tropaia and Recognition of Graduates of the Class of 2020
Friday, May 15 at 3:00 PM EDT
Watch on the Walsh School of Foreign Service Facebook Page
School of Medicine Virtual Commencement
Sunday, May 17 at 11:00 AM EDT
Watch on the School of Medicine Facebook Page
Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday, May 17 at 7:00 PM EDT
Watch on the Georgetown University Facebook Page
What is Tropaia?
Tropaia essentially means Trophy and the Tropaia Ceremony is the event at which individual schools distribute awards. Each Dean’s office will inform students individually if they are receiving an award at this event.
The word Tropaia is ancient Greek and referred to a monument constructed to celebrate a military victory.