The George Washington University 2018 Commencement drew 26,000 people to the National Mall Sunday--graduates, their families and friends, as well as GW faculty and staff. The D.C. area's first extended sunshine in a week welcomed attendees, who heard a Commencement address about hope from National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt, listened to GW President Thomas LeBlanc's first Commencement speech and watched as President Emeritus Steven Knapp and Olympic medalist and GW alumna Elana Meyers Taylor received honorary degrees. GW photographers captured these scences from the Mall:

(William Atkins/GW Today)

(Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

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(William Atkins/GW Today)

(William Atkins/GW Today)

Sydney Gray/GW Today)

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(Rick Reinhard/GW Today)

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(William Atkins/GW Today)

(William Atkins/GW Today)

(Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

(Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

(Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

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(William Atkins/GW Today)

(Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

(William Atkins/GW Today)