UW Department of Biology Graduation Celebration
Our Biology graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, June 12th from 1-3PM in Alaska Airline Arena (Hec Ed Pavilion). Please RSVP by May 25th using our Google form.
- Friday, June 12th, 2026
- Doors Open: 12PM, students arrive by 12:30PM for seating
- Graduation Celebration: 1-3PM
- Meet and Greet with Students, Family, Faculty, and Staff: 3-4PM
Hec Ed Pavillion seats over 10,000 people and there is space available for the whole family. We do NOT require tickets for our department ceremony and students can bring as many guests as they would like.
Student Information and RSVP Regalia and StolesGraduation KudoboardGuest Details Important Dates & Deadlines
UW Commencement
The UW commencement will occur on Saturday, June 13th, 2026. Please visit the main UW commencement page for details.
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
rsvp for biology graduation ceremony: may 25th
Students should RSVP with this form for the Biology Graduation Celebration. This RSVP is for the Biology Celebration only not UW Commencement. Tickets are NOT required for guests.
order your biology stoles: june 1st
Visit our Shopify site to order your Biology Stoles. The password is: UWBIO2026! The Shopify link is ONLY for BIOLOGY stoles.
order regalia & parking permits: may 11th - 24th
You can order your cap and gown and parking permits through the Registration/Order Form on the Commencement website.
contribute to the biology graduation kudoboard!
Family, friends and classmates of Biology Graduates are invited to post photos and messages to graduates on the Biology Department Kudoboard!
Attend graduation! June 12th
Biology Graduation Celebration will be held at Alaska Airlines Arena Hec Edmundson Pavilion (3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle WA 98105). Doors open at 12:00PM, students arrive by 12:30PM for seating, ceremony begins at 1:00PM.
Student RSVP and Event Details
Please RSVP by May 25th using our Google form
There is no assigned seating. But please arrive with your friends so that you can all sit together. Graduates should arrive to Hec Ed by 12:30PM. While there is no assigned seating, we will be filling in rows as students enter Hec Ed so you won't be able to save seats if you arrive first.
Regalia & Stoles
Biology has department specific stoles available for purchase! Please visit our Shopify site to place orders (password: UWBIO2026!). The Shopify link is ONLY for BIOLOGY stoles.
Stole pick-up information: Stoles will be available for pickup IN-PERSON ONLY on Tuesdays and Thursdays of the last two weeks of the quarter (June 2, 4, 9, 11) from 10am - 2pm in the Hitchcock Hall lobby. If those times do not work for you, please email bio-ins-svcs@uw.edu.
You can order your cap and gown through the Registration/Order Form on the Commencement website (to be updated early to mid-May).
dRESS CODE
A cap and gown is not required for the Biology Ceremony (though you are welcome to wear one!), and our dress code is business casual.
Details for Guests
Are tickets required?
There are no tickets required for this event. Alaska Airlines Arena seats 10,000 people so we have plenty of room for all guests of biology graduates.
Parking information
If you wish to park on campus for this event, a UW special event parking permit will be required. Students should purchase these permits for themselves and their guests through the Commencement Registration/Order Form May 11 to May 24th, 2026. Day of parking may be available for additional cost, but lot selection and availability are not guaranteed.
Bag policy
Alaska Airlines Arena has a clear bag policy. Balloons, artificial noise makers, and confetti poppers are not allowed. Strollers can be parked at a corral near the NW entrance of the arena. Stroller parking is not attended.
Accessibility and Accommodations Requests
UW Biology is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations, please contact Instructional Services (bio-ins-svcs@uw.edu) as soon as possible and no later than Friday, May 29th.
All entrances at Alaska Airlines Arena are ADA accessible. There are approximately 100 ADA seats throughout the venue. Assistive listening devices are available at no charge a the table near section 11/12.
The Hec Edmundson customer service team will be available on the day of the event to assist guests with accommodations. It will be helpful for us to receive requests early to ensure that our event is welcoming and accessible for all attendees.
Celebrate Our Grads!
Contribute to the Biology Graduation Kudoboard
Family, friends and classmates of Biology students are invited to post photos and messages to graduates on the Biology department Kudoboard! Please use the link below to add your message.
Questions?
Contact bio-ins-svcs@uw.edu.
For disability accommodations, please contact Instructional Services (bio-ins-svcs@uw.edu) as soon as possible and no later than Friday, May 29th.