Commencement

Experience our 185th Commencement
Class of 2026 Commencement

Saturday, May 16, 2026
Mitchell Center Fieldhouse

Sallie Hutton Sistare ,Associate Vice President, Alumni & Family Engagement

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Watch the ceremony

Our cameras captured the best views of Denison’s 185th annual Commencement so that the Class of 2026, friends, and family can relive and enjoy this special moment.

Senior Send-Off

We chronicled the Class of 2026’s last few days as students on The Hill. Relive all the memories of Senior Send-Off 2026!

Read the blog

View the Flickr Album

Three students pose for a photo outside of Silverstein Hall

Two friends pose for a photo holding a Big Red Denison bookstore bag.

A young man holds a small Varsity D athletics pin up to the camera.

Four young men in graduation caps and gowns sit on a stone wall.

Several graduating seniors toast their success.

A young man and woman in the student center.

Two young women holding snagels (bagels covered in cream cheese and brown sugar) in a cafe

Two young women sit in red Adirondack chairs on a green lawn.

Four students in semi-formal spring wear stand together outside surrounded by greenery.

Aerial view of hundreds of people in red tee shirts standing on a large grassy oval, grouped into a block formation of the number 26.

Commencement Program

Download the program for our 185th annual Commencement.

View / Download PDF

Commencement recap

‘I see you better now’: Denison celebrates at 185th Commencement

Relive the Class of 2026 Commencement through stories, photos, and video, and get a look back at breathtaking moments over four years on The Hill.

Read the recap

Two graduates carry a banner that reads "Denison 2026" as they lead a processional of seniors in graduation caps and gowns into a fieldhouse for a Commencement ceremony.

President Weinberg

Eboo Patel

Nancy Tran leaning against a wooden desk in a library.

Nancy Tran ’26

Spotlights

A large group of college graduates in caps and gowns toss their caps in the air in celebration in a large fieldhouse during a graduation ceremony.

‘I see you better now’: Denison celebrates at 185th Commencement

Graduates urged to embark on a quest for ‘sacred excellence.’

Two women having a conversation at a table in front of a wall of books; a black and white portrait of Denison alum Kirtley Mather hangs on the wall nearby.

Student research uncovers education’s impact on democracy

What started as legal research led Avery Sellers ’26 to discovery — and connected her to a forgotten champion of democracy.

Aerial photo of the Class of 2026 forming a large "'26" on Reese~Shackelford Common

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2026!

At Denison, seniors get the run of campus during their final days on The Hill. Follow along as we share their stories.

A young man in a swimsuit sits on a pool deck, smiling and holding several NCAA diving trophies, with a large “National Champion” trophy in the foreground and a diving board in the background.

Nick Fogle ’26 wants to help others overcome challenges he faced

Diagnosed with ADHD at age 7, the two-time NCAA diving champion thrived at Denison, creating a business plan to open a private practice.

Kael Shah ’26 and Andreas Chapides ’26 sitting on a couch holding video game controllers.

An enduring friendship that has powered Denison tennis to glory

Andreas Chapides and Kael Shah have been roommates for six years and friends for nine. Denison has brought out the best in each of them.

A sports team wearing hats raises a trophy together amid falling confetti in an indoor arena, celebrating a championship victory.

Within a few hours, Denison claims two national championships

Athletics program joins rare company, as both the women’s basketball team and men’s swimming and diving team delivered NCAA titles in a single day.

Three people on a hiking on a high-altitude trail with snow-capped mountains and clouds in the distance behind them.

Global commerce student gains real-world insights in Peru

Phoebe Beckwith ’26 researched economic impacts of tourism, engaged in cultural immersion and learned a valuable lesson about the power of being curious.

Aerial photo of the Class of 2025 forming a large "'25" on Reese~Shackelford Common

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2025!

At Denison, seniors get the run of campus during their final days on The Hill. Follow along as we share their stories.

Annabelle Calderon and her mother, Crystal Horton.

A President’s Medal, a mad dash in heels, and Friday night lights

As Denison’s softball team prepares to host the NCAC tournament, Annabelle Calderon recalls one of the most gloriously chaotic days of her life.

In pursuit of gold, Andrew D’Asaro shows his mettle

The Denison senior has become a decorated javelin thrower while persevering through an injury that would have ended most careers.

President Adam Weinberg standing at a lectern surrounded by balloons and speaking to an audience.

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2024!

At Denison, seniors get the run of campus during their final days on The Hill.

Commencement ’23: moments and memories from an unforgettable ceremony

Presidential hugs, ceremonial cap-tossing, a magical student speaker. On May 13, we celebrated the hard work of more than 500 graduates.

Class of 2023 in the shape of 23 on a lawn

The great Senior Send Off!

At Denison, seniors get the run of campus during their final days on The Hill. Follow along as we share their stories.

Eight memorable hours: Commencement Day starts with the sunrise

It’s a day filled with scenes of emotion, soaring achievement, hard work, words of wisdom and long goodbyes. And a few pancakes.

Student holding a graduation cap with a '2020' tattoo on their arm

Class of 2020 returns, ready to celebrate and heal

"The community, the learning, the professors, the people ... It’s what has made more than 300 of us want to come back on some random weekend in June.”

What's Happening

Presidential Speeches & Writings

‘She’s an institution’

Cade Nowik ’26 is adding to a family legacy at Denison

Taking the lead

Commencement

Commencement

Get in touch View all contacts

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Watch the ceremony

Senior Send-Off

Commencement Program

Commencement recap

‘I see you better now’: Denison celebrates at 185th Commencement

Commencement speakers

Spotlights

‘I see you better now’: Denison celebrates at 185th Commencement

Student research uncovers education’s impact on democracy

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2026!

Nick Fogle ’26 wants to help others overcome challenges he faced

An enduring friendship that has powered Denison tennis to glory

Within a few hours, Denison claims two national championships

Global commerce student gains real-world insights in Peru

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2025!

A President’s Medal, a mad dash in heels, and Friday night lights

In pursuit of gold, Andrew D’Asaro shows his mettle

Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2024!

Commencement ’23: moments and memories from an unforgettable ceremony

The great Senior Send Off!

Eight memorable hours: Commencement Day starts with the sunrise

Class of 2020 returns, ready to celebrate and heal

What's Happening

Advice for the Class of 2026

2026 Senior Reflections

Denison students named to Fulbright program