Live blog: Senior Send-Off 2026!

Free of their “final” final exams, the Class of 2026 has Denison all to themselves for much of the week leading up to their Saturday Commencement. 

It’s a time of cheers and tears, of closed chapters and new beginnings. Over the next few days, we’re chronicling their last few days as students on The Hill. Follow along as we update through the week!

Provost Kim Coplin ’85 cruises through her final roll call of graduates at Commencement. More than 600 names read — barely a syllable out of place. Not even the sight of her daughter, Lia Coplin ’26, walking across stage accompanied by her father, Rick Coplin ’85, causes a quiver in her voice. And then, in the closing minutes of the ceremony, comes the singing of “To Denison.”

“I was so proud of myself for getting through it all without crying,” says Kim, the university’s longest-serving provost who retires July 1. “But during the alma mater, I made the mistake of looking at Susannah Snell ’26, one of the President’s Medalists who was right in the front row, and she’s getting red-faced and teary-eyed.”

It’s been a remarkable Commencement weekend for Coplin — the former Denison valedictorian who returned to The Hill for 33 years as a professor and administrator. On Friday, the family held a graduation party: Chipotle for everyone! Lia Coplin’s choice. Saturday’s ceremony, packed with faculty, staff, and friends of the graduates, encapsulates what makes Denison a special place, Kim Coplin says. “For me, it’s all these people who care deeply about the students, and that manifests itself in different ways in their lives.”

Keynote speaker Eboo Patel, one of the nation’s most influential civic leaders and an advocate for building bridges across difference, urges graduates to chart their own course. “You are not obligated to ride the wave that presents itself as inevitable,” he says. “You get to decide what matters. You get to decide how to organize your life around it.” He ends on a thought from the Roman philosopher, Seneca: “While we live, while we are among human beings, let us cultivate our humanity.”

Student speaker Tram Mai “Nancy” Tran, a data analytics and sustainability & environmental studies double major from Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, says, “What Denison gave us is a way of approaching the world.” It is, she says, a world “defined by paradox” and riddled with challenges. “May we leave Denison not trying to be the smartest voices in the room, even though I know you are, but the ones willing to listen, to act, and to take responsibility for the world we are stepping into.”

President Adam Weinberg shares advice with graduates searching for their first job, or preparing to start one in the coming weeks. “The best first job you can ever get is the one that’s available. Your first job is merely your first job.” Weinberg also speaks from personal experience. “My first three jobs were a disaster, but I learned from them. My fourth job got me on a path that I did not anticipate when I graduated from college, and it has shaped my life. To do this well, lean into your Denison network — it’s a great alumni network, use it. And use the Knowlton Center. We are here for you, as you launch and make early career pivots.”

Congratulations, seniors! You’re almost there!

Rick Coplin ’85 arrives at Commencement wearing his heart not only on his sleeve but his entire shirt. Underneath his blue blazer, he’s rocking a black tee with the words “Girl Dad” and childhood pictures of his daughter Lia Coplin ’26, who graduates today. There’s been much focus on Provost Kim Coplin ’85, who reads the names of the graduates on stage, and will call out her daughter’s name during her final Commencement as a Denison administrator. (She’s retiring July 1.) But dad also is playing a role in Lia’s big day. The associate director of Red Frame lab is walking his daughter to the stage, taking a diploma handoff from President Adam Weinberg before presenting it to her. “We’re all so very proud of Lia,” Rick says.

Hugs and handshakes. Conversations about the latest career prospects, family trees, and research questions that still need answering. At 9:40 a.m., a flicker of the lights signals that the Faculty Coffee is drawing to a close. Time to line up.

This is it. Last morning. Senior Sunrise, a Denison tradition. The grass sloping down to Deeds Field is wet with dew. A few eyes are wet for other reasons. Congratulations, Class of ’26. This is your day. You’ve earned it. 

Armed with a smartphone, the mother of Ava Dedio ’26 takes pictures of her daughter in rapid-fire succession. With the Senior Soiree gathering momentum, and generations of families mingling, Irene Dedio recalls the restraint required when it came to taking photos at her 1991 college graduation. “Back then, you had to pay to get your pictures developed at a CVS or a Photo Hut booth,” Irene says. “And there was no guarantee they’d turn out.” 

Much has changed from generation to generation of college students — from the advent of the internet to tablets to AI. A big difference is the ability to capture and preserve special moments. This week, Denison seniors have taken countless selfies with classmates and friends. In an age of smartphone filters and special effects, there’s little excuse for not getting a quality picture. “If you don’t like it, you just delete it and take another,” Jeremy Do ’26 says.  

On this night, many families take photos of their graduates behind the illuminated “Denison” and “2026” signs on either side of the student union. “We have two really nice cameras at home,” Irene says. “Didn’t bring them. For what we need, this phone works just fine.”

Faculty and families mingle in the Denison Museum to see the work of 12 senior artists. Their final artistic expressions at Denison have taken wildly divergent forms: sculptures, paintings, visual projections, quilts. “It’s thought-provoking, beautiful, bizarre,” Associate Professor Keith Spencer says. “It’s all those things that art is supposed to be in our lives.” Professor Micaela Vivero snaps a picture of Mackenzie Sullivan ’26 with her family. Mel Wienandt ’26, sports her trademark paint-spattered boots. Monica Olvera ’26 chats with Professor Ron Abram. “I’ve grown a lot at Denison for sure,” she says. “I’m going to miss my studio space, but I’m excited for what comes next.”

Sixty-one Class of 2026 students are now members of Phi Beta Kappa, the national organization that celebrates academic excellence. Keynote speaker and Phi Beta Kappa member Cheryl McFarren shared a reflection about how theater, her academic forté, prepares students for lives of rich complexity. “A great play honors tension, something can be both hard and beautiful,” she said. “It trains us to be more fully human — one of the most important skills a liberally educated person can possess.”

The cap and gown can wait. Cade Nowik ’26 is wearing a hero’s cape after Denison’s dramatic 5-4 win over Grinnell College in an NCAA regional opener. The senior lashed a walk-off single in the ninth inning, scoring Kelly Crittenberger ’27, to send the Big Red into a winners’ bracket game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The nation’s top-ranked team, winners of 40 consecutive games, had to dig deep, rallying from a 4-3 eighth-inning deficit. Jack Rollo ’26 and Max Fishbein ’26 were among the other contributing seniors. They both delivered RBI singles.

As a third generation Denisonian, Tommy Siegenthaler ’26 knows all about family tradition on The Hill. He’s surrounded by it at home in Mansfield, Ohio — and also in his residence hall. “Two of my roommates are legacies,” he says. “Denison is a small campus with a nationwide appeal.” The Siegenthalers are one of nearly 60 families to attend the Legacy Lunch. “Denison really embraces legacies, where other schools seem to run away from them, ” says Tommy’s father, John L. Siegenthaler ’90, who married his college sweetheart and Tommy’s mom, Maura ’92. Adding to a special weekend is the presence of his grandfather, John H. Siegenthaler ’61, whose brother, Thomas ’63, and two nieces, Geneva ’90 and Claire ’94, also are alums. And it doesn’t stop there according to John H. Siegenthaler: “We have an ancestor, George Carpenter, who went to the old Granville College.”

A-Quad is quiet on the morning before Commencement, but signs of life emerge — revolving around two students who share a name, if not a story. Andrew Nguyen ’26 walks his parents, Tung and Duong, through the places that have shaped him these four years. They’ve traveled from Hanoi, Vietnam, to see him graduate. For the family of Andrew Hanson ’26, this marks a first gathering of the entire clan at Denison. Grandmas Gail Hanson and Alba Zapata have made pilgrimages from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Cali, Colombia. Parents Sandra and Jeff enjoyed a comparatively easy drive up from Decatur, Georgia. The family takes in campus sights while Andrew rehearses singing the alma mater with classmates in nearby Mitchell Fieldhouse (see previous post).

Mia Hennum ’26, Erin Oberle ’26, Shelby McNeal ’26, Andrew Hanson ’26, and Liam Kaznelson ’26 perform a sound check on the same stage they’ll walk across in less than 24 hours. These graduating seniors will lead the entire room of 4,000-plus graduates, families, and faculty Saturday in the singing of their alma mater. “It’s nice to go out singing,” Hanson says.

Matt Russell ’26 surfaces from the bottom of the foam pit, the soapy bubbles clinging to every inch of his upper body and head. As friends outside the inflatable pool take pictures and chuckle, Russell asks, “Who wants a hug?” The foam pit is once again a fan favorite at the Glizzies and Games. Despite cool temperatures and an overcast sky, other seniors can’t resist the temptation of wading into the foam. Russell and his good friends, Jesse Flanagan ’26, Seth Kaplan ’26, and Garrett McClung ’26 aren’t passing up any opportunities for great memories this week. “Love spending time with these boys,” Russell says. “We’ve adopted a ‘last ride mentality.’”

Seniors sneak a peak at the inside of Swasey Observatory, and the universe beyond, during a tour led by Associate Professor Steven Olmschenk, who teaches physics and astronomy. 

Two days before Commencement and there is still plenty to do; Fiona Kogan ’26 and Maaike Snider ’26 decide to take their last snagels to go. At the counter, they peruse plate after plate of that Bandersnatch specialty: a toasted bagel topped with cream cheese and brown sugar. Which to choose? “No snagel is a bad snagel,” says Whiting Webster ’27 from the kitchen, who along with Cheyenne Frye ’28 churns out dozens of snagels for a hungry Class of ’26.

Seniors take in a show in Olin Hall’s Marilyn P. McConnell Planetarium, viewing stars, constellations, a close-up video of the moon, and more on the planetarium’s 26-foot diameter dome.

Buckets brimming with red roses await their Saturday morning journey to Mitchell — the centerpiece of a pop-up shop for families looking for last-minute, meaningful gifts. Diploma frames? Check. Denison blankets and pillows? Stocked. Hot ticket items include Class of 2026 mugs, and alumni hoodies and crews that just “fly off the shelves,” according to Amy Hawkins, who runs the Denison bookstore. The fastest movers, though? Denison drinkware — because every milestone moment deserves a proper toast.

Pressing “play” on the dashboard for a Liz Jackson song, Jess Zittel and Kayla Tehrani just spoke their first (and last) words on the Doobie streaming channel: “Welcome to the Doobie.” The chance to play DJ is just one of several Thursday afternoon bucket list items they’re checking off. “We’re doing EVERYTHING,” says Tehrani. “We only have two days left to do it all!”

The words of advice come easily to Jordyn Maurer ’26 because they come from experience. “Don’t be afraid to feel uncomfortable,” she writes on a postcard addressed to incoming data analytics majors. “This program is just as rewarding as it is challenging.” Maurer is one of many DA majors filling out postcards to: Future Data Analytics Student, Knobel Hall and The King Center for Data and Innovation. Professors hope incoming students benefit from the encouragement and reassurance. The cards hanging outside the data analytics office will make the trip across the Academic Quad and reside in the King Center.

Elliot Harpham ’26 is the first to put pen to paper — Denison stationery, to be precise — and answer the question asked of each senior who visits the office of President Adam Weinberg during the annual Senior Bucket List. The question this year: What is your favorite spot on campus? “He loves to read the answers,” Nancy Berg, executive assistant to the president, tells Harpham and fellow seniors Charlie Whalen ’26, Susannah Snell ’26, and Lucy Morris ’26. The list of locations will grow as seniors trickle in all afternoon: the philosophy lounge in Knapp, hammocking in front of Talbot, Chapel Walk early in the morning. Harpham starts it off and writes, “The heart of A-Quad on a cool fall day!”

Clark Tieman’s fitness tracker tells the story of Senior Send Off week: 10K to 15K steps daily — modest compared to the 30K he logs during concert events. Fresh off breaking down the Overalls’ final performance, Tieman is already transforming the space for what comes next. By 2 p.m., Pac-Man, Lucky 777, and Mazerunner will take center stage indoors for Glizzies and Games. Outdoor fun includes bounce-a-ball, super pong, putt putt, and the ever-popular foam pit.

Student Commencement Speaker Nancy Tran and her mother, Tu Oanh Vo, were heading to One Love Café for some tasty Turkish treats when they spotted Sofia Monteleone for this impromptu photo. Both graduates are on to global adventures. Tran will head home to Vietnam to await word from Duke and a German university on her business sustainability graduate school applications, while Monteleone has already packed her bags: she’s bound for Japan to manage social media for the CIEE program.

When Aarnav Jagdhane crosses the stage Saturday, his parents Archana and Abhijeet will experience a bittersweet milestone — their second and final Denison Commencement. When Aarnav’s sister Eesha ‘22 joins them later today, the family will come full circle. But as their youngest child graduates, Archana admits they’ll miss their reasons to return to The Hill and Granville — places they’ve come to cherish.

Sitting in a Texas hotel room, the three seniors on the Denison softball team recall how one swing of the bat altered their parents’ Commencement travel plans. Last Saturday, a walk-off single by Brooke Surbaugh ’26 delivered a 4-3 win in the conference championship game, earning the Big Red their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Instead of attending their daughters’ Commencement — the parents had booked their lodging a year ago — they are rerouting to Texas to watch the double-elimination regional tournament starting Thursday. It’s the kind of chaos Denison families are happy to endure.  “The experience we’re getting here is unlike anything else,” says Surbaugh on a Zoom call with Indy Workman ’26 and Brianna Gonzalez ’26. “Making it to NCAA regionals has been a goal since we were freshmen.” It’s been a whirlwind week that’s included a Tuesday flight to Shreveport, Louisiana, followed by a bus ride to Marshall, Texas, site of the tournament games. The seniors are hopeful their parents can return to Granville on Monday to witness a special graduation ceremony for Denison athletes competing this weekend. “The amount of love and support we’re getting,” Surbaugh says, “adds to this unique experience.”

Minutes after clobbering friends with a giant vinyl-covered foam stick, Annelise Bentley ’26 explains why she entered the inflatable Joust Zone. “Anything that requires signing a waiver is worth doing,” she says. Bentley, Bella Morreale ’26, Kate Manderlink ’26, and Nina Casingal ’26 spend about 10 minutes pummeling each other with the sticks. In truth, they laugh harder than they hit. The Joust Zone is one of seven sports-related activities set up as part of Senior Sizzle. Several weeks after battling at a trampoline park, the friends couldn’t resist the sight of the ring being assembled. It’s a Renaissance Fair activity staged in a bouncy house-like environment. “We were just waiting for the inflatables to come out,” Morreale says. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Standing next to her son, who graduates in three days, Mabel Pearce-Pearson explains the emotional impact of a four-year separation. “When Philip first came to Denison, I called almost every day,” says Mabel, whose family lives in the West African nation of Ghana. “It was hard. I left message upon message.” This week represents the family’s first reunion since 2022. (And you thought waiting until Thanksgiving to see your first-year was torture). Fortunately for Philip Pearce-Pearson ’26, a computer science major, his Aunt Tish lives in nearby Dayton, and she provided an invaluable family presence. Mom and dad are excited to see Philip receive his diploma Saturday. “I wish I had a Ghanaian flag,” his father, Philip Sr., says. “I would be waving it around when they called his name.”

Seniors raise their glasses for a toast with Student Life Vice President Ric Hall during the class brunch. Co-Governor Karishma Luthra ’26, surrounded by friends, gets emotional after delivering a heartfelt speech to her classmates.

At the Class Brunch, Seth Kaplan ’26 (right) and Thomas Kreske ’26 add their signatures beside their wide-eyed first-year selves on the towering Class of ’26 photo — a ritual closing the circle on four transformative years. Class co-governors Ashwin Krishnamurthy ’26 and Karishma Luthra ’26 shared moving reflections on their journey together, while Student Life Vice President Ric Hall raised a glass to toast the graduating class.

Swasey Chapel may be the campus epicenter when it comes to formal pictures, but photogenic Doane Library has a following of its own. Three seniors, all smiles, head in that direction to immortalize this moment.

Fresh from taking grad photos in front of Swasey Chapel, Andrew McCutchan ’26, Ana Gerhardt ’26, Leah Jackson ’26, and Erin Mayle ’26 stop for a moment as they join the brunch — complete with mimosa station — hosted by Student Life Vice President Ric Hall.

It may be Commencement week for Kate McNabb ’26, but birthdays wait for no one. McNabb takes a few minutes to post a special birthday greeting to her sister before meeting friends at Village Coffee for breakfast. Then it’s back to her to room to PACK!

Rise and shine, Class of ’26. Stop by Slayter and you may run into Chief. Tammy, who works in the Slayter cafe, brought the 8-week-old boxer puppy in to meet all her favorite graduating seniors.

Nothing announces a celebration like the pop of a cork. The evening light is perfect for pictures and seniors take advantage, striking their best poses in front of Denison’s most iconic building. Friends Jason Chen ’26, Akindele Aboyade-Cole ’26, Andrew Laramore ’26,  and Yahir Fernandez-Alvarez ’26 don caps and gowns. They send geysers of Asti skyward. “Gradu-eight, not seven!” Aboyade-Cole declares. More seniors arrive. All dutifully step around the Denison seal; no point in tempting fate this close to the big day.

Seniors file under the big tent for the President’s Reception, the official start of Senior Send-Off 2026. President Adam Weinberg runs through what he notes is only a partial list of Class of ’26 accomplishments: national titles, top-flight student journalism, breathtaking arts performances, and groundbreaking summer research. “It was an incredible honor to share The Hill with you for the last four years,” he says. “I know some of you are personally sad to leave, because you’re worried you’ll lose touch with people close to you.” But he reminds them — this is Denison. “That does not happen here.”
 

The colorful illustration of Denison philosophy faculty and staff, drawn by Olivia Bernard ’24, hangs from a Knapp Hall office wall. “This brought everybody in the department to tears when Olivia sent it,” says Sam Cowling, an associate provost and philosophy professor. This week, many seniors will deliver thank-you cards and gifts to their professors. While faculty members appreciate the gesture, what they really want from graduates is to remain in touch. Bernard’s connection is a prime example. Professor Barbara Fultner has visited Bernard in Seattle, where she lives. When the former student learned the department hired Associate Professor Chloe Armstrong last year, she added Armstrong’s caricature to the illustration and re-sent it. The department had the depiction made into cards and also blown up and framed.  All Bernard wanted in return was to stay connected. “Rest assured, I will be back to visit campus again,” she writes, “and you all had better send me the schedule of philosophy coffees as soon as you know it. Keep in touch!”

There’s not much sweeter than spending a leisurely week on The Hill with fellow seniors awaiting Commencement. Especially if it involves eating free ice cream. The biology department held its annual Senior Ice Cream Social for graduates. Students chatted with their professors, while dining on cups of frozen goodness in a variety of flavors. “It’s a chance for us to have closure with people we’ve spent so much time around,” Jazmyn Rafique ’26 says. Associate Professor Christine Weingart enjoys the informal nature of the event. “The students are totally relaxed,” she says, “and it’s fun to talk to them about their journey and what comes next.”

The winningest class in Denison sports history was honored as approximately 125 seniors were welcomed into the Varsity D Association. The Class of 2026 won four consecutive NCAC All-Sports trophies, and some members were part of five national championships: women’s swimming and diving (2023), men’s swimming and diving (2025-26), men’s tennis (2025), and women’s basketball (2026). The prolific class might still add a few more NCAA titles in the coming weeks. “In high school, the big focus was on the individual person,” says Drue Thielking ’26, a four-time NCAA qualifier in women’s swimming. “At Denison, the focus has been on the team, and also supporting other teams here. The camaraderie has been special to be a part of.”

Helen Breen ’26 is not the only senior to give a coach or professor a gift of gratitude this week. However, she may be the only one who made hers in Denison’s woodshop. Breen crafted a piece of wood — “the cheapest I could find at Lowe’s” — into a lovely field hockey stick. She and her five senior field hockey teammates signed it before presenting it to coach P.J. Soteriades. It’s not Breen’s first gift to her coach. The visual arts minor also made a lifesize cardboard cutout of Soteriades, which stands watch over the coach’s office.

Alex Carlton ’26 and Talya Dersu ’26 refuel at Slayter after shopping in Granville for gifts for their favorite professors. Soon they’ll be joining Kate Tull and Andrew McNutt for a small “Former First-Year Fellow Soirée” before going back down The Hill to The Cidery with Marla Krak for a Vail Intern celebration.

Self-avowed “fruit-a-holic” Grant Hunter ’26 enjoys his favorite smoothie — strawberry banana — and one of his last on The Hill before heading to Boston to pursue video production.

Rachel Gilio ’26 and Ava Wood ’26 just loaded up on lots of goodies from the Denison Bookstore. After graduation Gilio will move to NYC to work in fashion, and Wood will start nursing school this fall.

Denison students aren’t accustomed to so much free time on campus. So how will they spend it over the next five days — beyond hoisting a few celebratory beverages? Lindsay Warwick ’26 and her friends plan to enjoy time outdoors, walk through Granville, and buy Denison T-shirts to be signed by classmates. Jack Ortmann ’26 wants to revisit East Quad. “I want to go back to places where I had some of my best memories,” he says. Constence Vasquez ’26 is interested in seeing the Bio Reserve and the planetarium, while friend Ariadna Cruz ’26 might check out Denison’s cemetery.