Olympia, WASH — The Evergreen State College is proud to announce its upcoming commencement celebrations, honoring the hard work and achievements of the Class of 2026. The main Olympia commencement event begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 12th on Red Square at the Olympia campus, rain or shine. All are welcome and no tickets are required.
Evergreen is excited to welcome Dontae Payne ’18, MPA ’20, mayor of Olympia, as the 2026 commencement speaker. Mayor Payne was elected in November 2023 after serving on the Olympia City Council beginning in 2021. Payne is the first Black American and openly gay person elected or appointed to the office of mayor in Olympia’s 164-year history at the time of the election. Payne earned both a Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Evergreen following service in the U.S. Army.
In addition to the Olympia ceremony, Evergreen Tacoma will celebrate graduates at its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13 at 1 p.m. at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront. The celebration honors graduates from the 2025–26 academic year, including summer graduates, and is open to invited family and guests.
Because of the higher-than-normal number of visitors to campus, carpooling and use of Intercity Transit are encouraged. Graduates and guests driving to campus are encouraged to park in lots B and C. A shuttle will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take guests from F Lot to Red Square and again from 3 to 5 p.m. to return people to their vehicles. Parking at the Olympia campus will be free during commencement festivities.
Motorists traveling on Evergreen Parkway near the college can expect closures to inbound traffic from 2 to 4 p.m. to allow for guests departing the commencement ceremony. Expect delays and take alternative routes if possible.
For more information about The Evergreen State College graduation celebrations, visit the commencement webpage:
Evergreen Graduation & Commencement
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For more information, contact:
The Evergreen State College
mediarelations@evergreen.edu