Join our Mortarboard Competition for a chance to win exciting prizes with your creatively designed graduation caps! To participate, visit the information table—located to the right as you enter—to have your picture taken or send them to us via DM on Facebook or Instagram by 11:59 PM on June 7.

We’ll post all submissions on our social media for a community vote for three categories: most creative, most humorous, and best message. Users will have until midnight on June 9 to comment which designs they think should take each category. Stay tuned—the winner will be crowned the following week after graduation! Encourage your friends and family to vote!

Don’t have social media? You can also email your mortarboards by the deadline to alexb28@uw.edu.

Start crafting your 9.4″ x 9.4″ masterpiece today!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Meegan Amen at meegan@uw.edu.

RSVP Deadline

Graduates that RSVP by Friday May 24 are assured a Trophy Cupcake to take with you after the ceremony concludes. Graduates are welcome to RSVP after May 24, however, you won’t be eligible for cupcakes. Students should RSVP to the celebration here.

Note that you must RSVP to the UW Commencement ceremony separately!

Eligibility to Walk

PhD, Masters, and undergraduates who graduated summer 2023 through summer 2024 are eligible to participate in the ceremony. Graduates that RSVP to the ceremony will be reviewed by the departments to confirm eligibility.  Students receiving CBE minors and certificates only are not recognized at this celebration.

Graduate Apparel

Wearing academic apparel (cap and gown) is preferred but not required. Academic apparel can be ordered May 1 – 15. Graduates pick up their apparel at the UW Bookstore May 30 – June 3.

If you plan to also attend the UW Commencement on Saturday, academic apparel is required.

Guest Tickets

• No ticket(s) are necessary.
• Doors open at noon.
• Please limit guest lists to no more than eight (8) seated.
• Seating is first come, first served.

Arranging Accessibility Accommodation

• The Exhibition Hall is wheelchair accessible: enter from Mercer Street.
• Proceed to the reception by exiting the Exhibition Hall, go up the ramp, and proceeding west (left) to the Founders Court.
• Accommodation inquiries should email meegan@uw.edu.

Parking

• Parking is available in lots adjacent to Seattle Center.
• The lot closest to the Exhibition Hall is the Mercer Garage.
• All parking lots and street spots in the area require payment.

Graduate Arrival Time

• Graduates should plan on arriving no later than 12:30 pm for check-in and additional ceremony information.
• Check in with your departmental program adviser to receive processional lineup information and obtain your name card.
• Graduates should be in the processional line ready to walk no later than 12:50 pm.
• If a graduate arrives late please see the staff member posted at the information table (enter and to the right/west).

After Ceremony

The Founder’s Court, just west of the Exhibition Hall, is reserved for our guests to mingle. Shelly Oberman Photography and other photographers will be on-site to capture candids. All event photos—and the Gould and Architecture Hall photo booth will be available for complimentary download the week after graduation.

Trophy Cupcakes will also be available for graduates to take with them as they leave the event. Please make sure you RSVP before May 24 to be eligible.

Students are not required to wear graduation regalia to the CBE Graduation Celebration, however, it is required for participation at UW Commencement.

All apparel and souvenirs can be purchased through the UW Commencement website. is provided by Oak Hall Cap & Gown. You order regalia when you complete the Registration/Order Form (early May).  You will also be able to order other items as desired (souvenir tassels, extra degree tassels, mortarboards, hoods, honor cords, and stoles of gratitude for those who have helped you during your college career). Bachelor’s and master’s regalia are for purchase only – there is no rental option.

Faculty should order regalia through the UW Ceremonies website. Orders may be placed via the Office of Ceremonies faculty regalia order  become available in April. Order before May 1 to receive your college regalia. Orders placed after May 1 will be outfitted in UW apparel only.

301 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

Seattle Center  + Exhibition Hall Website

Getting There: Numerous bus routes serve Seattle Center including Metro routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 24, 29, 31 and 33. Rapid Ride D Line and routes 5 and 28 serve the Center along Aurora Ave N. Click here for more details or to use the King County Metro Trip Planner.

Paid Parking is available at all Seattle Center garages. The Mercer Garage is across the street from the Exhibition Hall. Accessible parking spaces are located at several Seattle Center garages locations along the periphery of the campus. If all the available accessible garage spaces are full, visitors should check with the Attendant on Duty for remaining availability.

We have your photographic opportunities covered! All photos will be uploaded to the CBE website for your complimentary downloads the week of June 10.

Photo Booth June 3 – 5

Starting Monday, June 3 look for photo booth opportunities in Architecture and Gould Halls! The tentative schedule (photographer dependent) is Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at the Gould central stairs and rear entrance of Architecture Hall. Photographers could be mobile within the building so look for the balloon bouquet!

Group Photos June 6

Department group photos will be Thursday, June 6. Final schedule and locations will be emailed closer to the date. Email meegan@uw.edu or your adviser for any details.

Graduation June 7

Photographers will be on-site to help commemorate this special occasion.

Ceremony Video

A videographer will record the ceremony, however, no live video will be available. A link to the video recording will be posted on this page the week of June 24.

Bachelor Candidates complete an application for graduation with their departmental adviser. Degrees are not automatically awarded when requirements have been satisfied. It is your responsibility to apply for degrees and certificates. Applications must be submitted no later than the third Friday of the quarter you plan to graduate. You can also submit them up to 3 quarters before you plan to graduate. Once you apply, you are eligible for Graduating Senior Priority registration.

Master’s graduates submit their master’s degree request  with the Graduate School. Students will want to review the Graduate School’s graduation dates and deadlines or contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) at uwgrad@uw.edu or 206-685-2630 for additional information.

Doctoral Candidates scheduled their final exam (doctoral) with the Graduate School.

On June 8, 2024, Huskies from around the world will once again take the field at Husky Stadium to celebrate their accomplishments in front of 40,000 proud family members, friends and guests. President Cauce and the leadership of the University will be there to confer degrees as each graduates makes that once-in-a-lifetime walk across the 4,000-square-foot stage, adorned with life-size replicas of the four ionic columns that graced the Territorial University over 160 years ago. Be looking for Commencement invitations during Spring Break. In the meantime, visit our Graduation Checklist page to find out what each graduate needs to do to prepare for the graduation season.

GRADUATE DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

AIA MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE  

https://www.aia.org/resource-center/medal-academic-excellence

The AIA Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to the top graduating students with a Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture from schools accredited by NAAB or CACB. Awardee based on highest GPA.

ALPHA RHO CHI BRONZE MEDAL

https://alpharhochi.org/medal

Judged by the faculty of each school, the medal is presented to the graduating senior who has shown an ability for leadership, performed willing service for his or her school or department, and gives promise of real professional merit through their attitude and personality. Only one nominee per each accredited institution is accepted. Awardee selected via faculty nomination and vote.

BTES EDWARD ALLEN AWARD

https://btes.org/BTES/awards/ed-allen-award/

The Edward Allen Student Award is the highest honor given by the Building Technology Educators’ Society recognizing students–who over their academic career–have demonstrated commitment, passion, curiosity, and excellence in the integration of building technology and architectural design. Awardee selected via faculty nomination and vote.

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE FACULTY MEDAL

This award is given by the Department of Architecture faculty to a student in the Master of Architecture program for high standing in design and general scholarship. Awardee selected via faculty nomination and vote.

TAU SIGMA DELTA HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP NOMINATION

https://tausigmadelta.org/operating-procedures/

Nominations go to the top 20% of graduation class (undergraduate and graduate) based on GPA only. To join the honor society, student must accept and pay the TSD membership fee.

UNDERGRADUATE DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECTURE PRIZEThis is awarded by the Department of Architecture faculty to the top-ranking graduating senior in each program, the Architectural Studies and Architectural Design majors, as measured by their cumulative GPA.

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIPThis certificate is awarded by the Department of Architecture faculty to a student from the Architectural Studies or Architectural Design program for high standing in scholarship and leadership.

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND DESIGNThis honor is awarded by the Department of Architecture faculty to a student in the BA Architectural Design program for high standing in design and general scholarship.

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND WRITING
This honor is awarded by the Department of Architecture faculty to a student in the BA Architectural Studies program for high standing in research-driven writing and general scholarship

Sigma Lambda Alpha is an exclusive honor society that recognizes academic excellence and leadership in the field of landscape architecture.

URBAN DESIGN AND PLANNING FACULTY MEDAL

Graduate students completing the MUP or PhD program, full or part time, who have been enrolled in the current academic year (Autumn – Summer) are eligible for the Faculty Medal award. The criteria are included in the resolution below. Your nomination should include: name of nominee, degree program, status; outstanding contributions/accomplishments demonstrated in research or theoretical developments in the field; potential for future contributions to the field within its aesthetic, economic, social, theoretical, philosophical and/or cultural dimensions

To be awarded to a MUP or PhD student who has done exceptional work intellectually within our field in theory and/or research and who shows promise for continuing to contribute to our understanding of urban design and planning.

The Medal is not to be based on GPA, or quantity of courses, or professional skills.  It is to be awarded based on level and quality of intellectual inquiry exhibited in the writings and thoughts of the individual.

Resolution Passed by the Faculty May 1988
Whereas urban design and planning is both science and art, requiring technical skills as well as creativity, a measure of pragmatism coupled with an ability to generate, with others, alternatives to the physical, social, economic and political environments in which we live; and

Whereas the evolving nature of the discipline requires a broad-gauged educational base of understanding along with technical competence and methods transferable to a range of situations; and

Whereas continuous research and theoretical development is essential to advance the discipline of urban design and planning; and

Whereas the faculty is committed to encouraging students to pursue intellectual achievement through research, critical inquiry and debate, and explorations of the evolving theoretical underpinnings of the field, Now Therefore

Be It Resolved that the Faculty of Urban Design and Planning will award annually the Faculty Medal to a graduate student completing the program who has shown exceptional ability to advance understanding in the discipline of design and planning through significant contributions in research or theoretical development

and

gives promise of intellectual leadership within the profession through continued explorations of the aesthetic, economic, social, theoretical, philosophical and/or cultural dimensions of urban design and planning.

Previous Award Winners:

• Bradshaw Hovey
• Kerry Brooks
• Terry Galiney
• Orit Sarfaty
• Adrienne Greve
• Ken Alper
• John Carruthers
• Vivek Shandas
• Alon Bassok
• Phil Hurvitz
• Ruth Lindberg
• Peter Schmiedeskamp
• Sahera Bleibleh
• So-Ra Baek
• Karen Dyson
• Keith Harris
• Susmita Rishi
• Evan Carver
• Tracy Fuentes
• Katherine Idziorek
• Feiyang Sun
• Xiao Shi
• Yiyuan Wang
• Meen Chel Jung

OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD

The Department of Urban Design and Planning may nominate one student graduating Autumn 2023- Summer 2024 from the MUP program.  Criteria for selection are to be established by the Department. The following are consistent measures we have used in the past:

1. High overall scholarship—measured by GPA, generally above 3.5.
2. Ranking in class—comparative academic rank with others in class.
3. Quality of work in planning courses—examples of quality in class projects, studios, research papers, and particularly the thesis/professional project underway. Quality in this case is measured by choice of topic, overall development, writing – management – organizing skills, etcetera.
4. Leadership qualities—measured by role/contributions in Planning Student Association and College and Departmental committees and activities.
5. Professional and personal maturity—measured by student’s degree of independence, general awareness and roles/responsibilities in professional activities (jobs, internships, offices held etcetera.).
6. Promise of success as a professional planner—variety of measures including initiative, personable qualities, ethical qualities, dedication and interests, etcetera.

2023 Recipient: Alex King

2022 Recipient: Samara Ressler

UDP OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS

One award should be given to a student in each program: MUP, MIPM and PhD. The awards are typically given to a 2^nd year + student. Students nominated for the UDP Outstanding Student Award should have high overall scholarship, rank highly within their class, the quality of work in planning courses should be high, and they should exhibit leadership qualities, professional and personal maturity, and promise of success as a professional planner.

PhD

2021 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding PhD Student: Lan Nguyen

2022 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding PhD Student: Ana Costa

2023 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding PhD Student: Lamis Ashour

MUP
2021 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding MUP Student: Cristina Cano-Calhoun

2022 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding MUP Student: Liam Tevlin

2023 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding MUP Student: Anna Malesis (Honorable Mention: Charlotte Hevly)

MIPM

2022 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding MIPM Student: David Jackson

2023 Urban Design and Planning Outstanding MIPM Student: Matthew Martin (Honorable Mention: Ethan Kraft)

URBAN DESIGN AND PLANNING SPECIAL SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARD

Students nominated for the Special Service Recognition Award should be measured by their role/contribution in the Planning Student Association and College and Department activities. Students in the MUP and PhD programs can be considered for the award. Students from all years of study can be considered for the award.  Limit 5 Service Awards for the MUP to include first and second year; limit 2 Service Awards for the  Ph.D. students taking into consideration 2 years of service; per faculty vote June 8, 2021.

2021: Lamis Ashour, Skye D’Aquila, Markus Johnson, Alex King, Yuqi Li, Adela Mu, Tyler Quinn-Smith, Samara Ressler, Antonia Stinnett

2022: MUP: Adela Mu, Tyler Quinn-Smith, Markus Johnson; PhD: Mingming Cai, Tianqi Zou

2023: MUP:  Nick Edman, Carey Jang, Christian Mower; PhD: Julie Hower, Pranjali Rai

Eligible to nominate: CBE Students

We are currently accepting nominations for the Lionel “Spike” Pries Award for Teaching Excellence. This award—created by students in the College of Built Environments—recognizes the outstanding teaching of our CBE faculty.

Named after the legendary and inspirational professor Lionel H. (“Spike”) Pries (1897-1968) who taught in the architecture program from 1928 to 1958, this annual award recognizes excellence in teaching during the past academic year.

All faculty within the college, with the exception of the previous year’s winner (Catherine De Almeida/Landscape Architecture), are eligible.

Nominations accepted here!

Eligible to nominate: CBE Faculty and Staff

The Outstanding Faculty Award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has made the most notable contributions in their field or to the community in research and/or service, or to their department or college, or to students through teaching and/or service during this academic year, as voted on by the College Council.

Eligibility:  All full-time CBE faculty.

Ineligible: Faculty holding administrative positions—Dean, Associate Deans, or departmental chair—or those who have received the award in the past three years (Keith Harris, Gundula Proksch and Jeffrey Ochsner).

Nominations accepted here!

Eligible to nominate: CBE Faculty and Staff

The Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recognizes a part-time faculty member who has made the most notable contributions in their field or to the community in research and/or service, or to their department or college, or to students through teaching and/or service during this academic year, as voted on by the College Council.

Eligibility:

• All part-time CBE faculty members (including lecturers and affiliate faculty of all ranks) can be considered for the award.
• Part-time faculty members nominated must have taught at least one course during the current academic year and must have taught at least one course each year for the previous five years.
• Faculty members are not eligible to receive the award if they have received the award within the previous three years (Steve Withycombe and Marty Curry).

Nominations accepted here!

Eligible to nominate: CBE Faculty, Staff, and Students

The CBE Distinguished Staff Award recognizes the recipient’s extraordinary contributions to the College. The nominee should contribute to a positive collegial environment for the benefit of faculty, staff, and students, with a focus on promoting unity and communication as well as demonstrating an extraordinary level of commitment, leadership and collaboration within the CBE.

Eligibility:

• Staff need to have been employed at CBE for the last six months at 50% or more.
• Ineligible staff include previous two years’ winners (n/a 2024).

Nominations accepted here!