Thousands of UW students from 3 campuses graduating this weekend
A big weekend is ahead for thousands of University of Washington students who will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies.
More than 18,000 students are graduating from UW’s three campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma.
Commencement ceremonies began Friday when students at the university’s Tacoma campus crowded the Tacoma Dome at 10 a.m.
Then on Saturday in Seattle, Husky Stadium will be packed with thousands of graduating students and their families for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony.
The university is expecting more than 40,000 spectators for the ceremony, with more than 7,000 students graduating.
That means roads near the stadium will be busy. Both Interstate 5 and State Route 520 will likely be backed up, affecting both the Ship Canal and Montlake bridges.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will deliver the commencement speech.
On Friday, nerves and excitement clouded the minds of students who will be graduating.
“It feels feels scary. It feels new. Like there’s just new feelings every morning,” said UW student Kenna Fojas.
“I’m definitely pretty anxious, I feel like I’ve just been doing school my whole life,” said UW student Duaa Zaheer.
The class of 2023 says the last four years have been a rollercoaster, especially with COVID interrupting their first year.
“It was pretty unfortunate because I had to basically move out my belongings halfway through freshman year, they were like, ‘You gotta go, go home,’” said Zaheer.
On Sunday, the graduation ceremony for UW’s Bothell campus will be held at 11:45 a.m. at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Congratulations to the class of 2023!
