Class of 2026 - Commencement Weekend

Graduates, mark your calendars!

The countdown is on, Yellowjackets! Commencement Weekend kicks off on Friday, May 15, with the 176th Commencement Ceremony at 8:45 a.m. in Fauver Stadium at Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex. It’s the start of three unforgettable days packed with events, ceremonies, and celebrations that honor your incredible journey.

Schedule of events

From the University-wide Commencement Ceremony to individual school events, Commencement Weekend is your time to shine. May 15–17, 2026, is all about celebrating your achievements, Yellowjacket pride, and Meliora spirit. Don’t miss a single moment!

Register for Commencement Weekend

Registration for Commencement Weekend will be open very soon.

Caps, gowns, and all things regalia

If you have already ordered regalia, you may pick it up at the Grad Fair in Wilson Commons’ Hirst Lounge on Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or from the University Bookstore in College Town after April 20.

If you did not order your regalia before the deadline, it is available for purchase from April 20 to May 14 at the University Bookstore in College Town.

Commencement speaker: Jeannine Shao Collins ’86

Chief client officer at Kargo and a widely respected leader in media and advertising, Shao Collins returns to URochester to share her perspective, leadership, and message with the Class of 2026 as they mark this milestone.

Tickets and guests: Bring your crew

There’s no limit on the number of guests for the University Commencement Ceremony. However, graduates should check with their school or department for specific guest guidelines for other graduation events throughout the weekend.

Have questions?

We’ve got answers! From schedules to tickets, our FAQs are here to make planning Commencement Weekend a breeze.

Meliora in action: Stories from the Class of 2026

From groundbreaking research along the Genesee to inspiring performances at Eastman, see how our Yellowjackets are leaving their mark and embodying the Ever Better spirit.

Triptych of the 2025 recipients of the Wells Prize at the University of Rochester.

Undergraduates demonstrate better engineering through the humanities

Tue, 09 Dec 2025

Three engineering seniors are honored for blending technical rigor with humanistic insight in their academic careers.

Four Rochester Goldwater scholars Maria Ahmed, Marvin Wu, Aashay Mardikar, and Wimeth Dissanayake standing next to each other.

Four Rochester students earn Goldwater Scholarships for science achievement, research promise

Thu, 17 Apr 2025

Four Rochester undergraduate students earned prestigious Goldwater Scholarships for science achievement and research promise in STEM fields.

How a campus start-up is reinventing the networking experience

Thu, 17 Apr 2025

Four Rochester students and one alumnus developed a start-up venture called Penpal, a digital business card to help students network.

A University of Rochester data science student flanked by seven members of the Rochester Fire Department with a fire truck and equipment in the background.

Data science students help speed up Rochester Fire Department’s emergency responses

Thu, 19 Dec 2024

The students analyzed millions of data points to determine where to best place fire stations, fire trucks, and other resources.

Group of five students who work on synthetic biology projects in white lab coats sitting around a table filled with beakers and others scientific equipment.

Undergraduate students use bacteria to create clean energy

Tue, 03 Dec 2024

The student-led team used synthetic biology to harness clean energy from bacteria while simultaneously capturing and storing carbon dioxide, taking home a gold medal in the process.

Two people—a mentor with her mentee—posing and smiling at a reception.

First, but not alone: Mentorship program pairs first-generation students with alumni

Thu, 07 Nov 2024

Tanatchaya Chanphanitpornkit and Nichole Waligóra—the first in their families to attend university—have forged a lasting connection as mentor and mentee.

GIF of Melbot V3, the University of Rochester team's submission to the 2024 NASA Lunabotics Challenge competition, in action.

Team building through bot building

Mon, 01 Jul 2024

Rochester undergraduates gained crucial systems engineering experience constructing a lunar rover for NASA’s Lunabotics Challenge.

three students seated on a bench look over the back of the bench.

For whom the bells toll: Siblings honor late father

Tue, 13 Feb 2024

A bench on the River Campus stands as a memorial to the man who discovered the University of Rochester for his three children.

Three people moving into residence halls with luggage atop dollies.

Movers and shakers: Welcoming the Class of 2026 to campus

Wed, 24 Aug 2022

In a return to move-in-day tradition, more than 1,600 students at the College and the Eastman School of Music embarked on their Rochester experience this week.

A woman in a graduation gown proudly holds up a pom pom during the University of Rochester Commencement ceremony.

Party prep made easy

It’s time to celebrate in true Yellowjacket style! Our Celebration Toolkit has everything you need to make the day unforgettable—yard signs, garlands, and more.

Let the festivities begin