Commencement 2026 May 8-10

We look forward to seeing you!

Ticket pickup will be at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue.

Pick up your pre-reserved meal tickets for the Baccalaureate Lunch in McClurg and the Commencement Celebration Picnic (box lunch). Families of graduating students may also pick up a senior class photo.

You'll also find water, restrooms, and charging stations, and our friendly staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Commencement Desk Hours:
Thursday, May 7, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Thursday, May 7

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum Gallery
William R. Laurie University Archives and Special Collections
The exhibit, YSR!!: Your Stories, Remembered, is an exploration of all things Sewaneeana, the legends, traditions, and cultural memories that have quietly accumulated at the heart of this institution and community, passed down and added to by every generation that has called the mountain home. Curated by public history classes from 2022, 2023, and 2026.

12 to 4 p.m. Weight of Fragility
University Art Gallery
The University Art Gallery will present Weight of Fragility, a group exhibition by graduating senior art majors Roman Belton, Sunny Bowers, Savannah Brister, George Handley, Audrey Hoffman, and Sally Whitehead.

5 to 7 p.m. IGS Senior Graduation Reception
Harris Commons, Spencer Hall (Spencer Lobby)
International and Global Studies will celebrate its graduates and their families.

Friday, May 8

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum Gallery
William R. Laurie University Archives and Special Collections
The exhibit, YSR!!: Your Stories, Remembered, is an exploration of all things Sewaneeana, the legends, traditions, and cultural memories that have quietly accumulated at the heart of this institution and community, passed down and added to by every generation that has called the mountain home. Curated by public history classes from 2022, 2023, and 2026.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. University Bookstore Pop-Up Shop
McGriff Alumni House
Celebrate Commencement with the University Bookstore featuring Sewanee gear for the whole family.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Riley/Land Collection Pop-Up Shop
McGriff Alumni House
Joseph Riley Land, C’98, presents selections from the Riley/Land Collection—his nationally recognized line of heirloom-quality home goods, including the Sewanee Fog candle and wooden bowls from The Sewanee Project, crafted from locally sourced fallen trees.

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Class of 2026 Carey Fellow Awards Ceremony
Social Lodge, Georgia Ave.
Senior Carey Fellows and their families are invited to attend.

Chemistry and Biochemistry graduates and their families are invited to attend.

12 to 4 p.m. Weight of Fragility
University Art Gallery
The University Art Gallery will present Weight of Fragility, a group exhibition by graduating senior art majors Roman Belton, Sunny Bowers, Savannah Brister, George Handley, Audrey Hoffman, and Sally Whitehead.

2 to 3 p.m. American Struggle: A Conversation about Democracy Past, Present, and Future
Guerry Auditorium
Join Pulitzer Prize‑winning historian and Sewanee alumnus Jon Meacham, C’91, H’10, in conversation with veteran news anchor John Seigenthaler for American Struggle: A Conversation about Democracy Past, Present, and Future. Together they examine the forces shaping American democracy and the responsibilities of citizens today.
Tickets are required and may be reserved using this form.
The event will also be live-streamed on Zoom.

6 to 8 p.m. International Senior Send-off
Biehl Commons
The Organization for Cross-Cultural Understanding (OCCU) will celebrate the Class of 2026's international students.

saturday, may 9

9:30 a.m. Baccalaureate Procession
Breslin Tower
Degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and graduates from the School of Theology form the Baccalaureate procession.

10 a.m. Baccalaureate Service
All Saints' Chapel
Jon Meacham will deliver the Baccalaureate address on Saturday morning in All Saints’ Chapel. Because seating in the Chapel is limited and reserved first for graduates, faculty, and service participants, guest seating will be managed carefully. Details about the ticketing process can be found on the FAQ page.

Immediately following the Baccalaureate service: Legacy Photo
Guerry Garth (Rain location: All Saints' Chapel, nave altar)
For students with alumni parents, siblings, and grandparents. Please arrive promptly.

Baccalaureate Lunch (ticket required)
McClurg Dining Hall

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weight of Fragility
University Art Gallery
The University Art Gallery will present Weight of Fragility, a group exhibition by graduating senior art majors  Roman Belton, Sunny Bowers, Savannah Brister, George Handley, Audrey Hoffman, and Sally Whitehead.

1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Posse Senior Celebration
Please join us in celebrating the graduating scholars of Posse Cohort 16. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony. 

1 p.m to 5 p.m. The Museum Gallery
William R. Laurie University Archives and Special Collections
The exhibit, YSR!!: Your Stories, Remembered, is an exploration of all things Sewaneeana, the legends, traditions, and cultural memories that have quietly accumulated at the heart of this institution and community, passed down and added to by every generation that has called the mountain home. Curated by public history classes from 2022, 2023, and 2026.

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Politics Senior Graduation Party
All graduating Politics majors and their families are invited to attend.

2 p.m. University Carillon Tour
Shapard Tower (All Saints' Chapel)
Meet at the iron gate at the front of All Saints' Chapel. Walk the stairs to the top to see the Polk Carillon and view the campus from the top of Shapard Tower.

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. German Studies Senior Graduation Reception
German House
German and German Studies will host graduating majors, minors, and their guests for Kaffee and Kuchen. Remarks at 3 p.m. 

3 p.m. University Carillon Concert
All Saints' Chapel
Seating is available in the area between All Saints' Chapel and McClurg Dining Hall.

3:30 to 5 p.m. Celebrating the Class of 2026 Reception
Clement Chen Hall, 607 University Ave.
Please join Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen and his wife, Phoebe, for a reception honoring graduates. All are welcome!

4 p.m. Bentley Bells and the University Clock in Breslin Tower
The Breslin Tower (Convocation Hall)
Open house tour of the Bentley change ringing bells and the University Clock. Walk up the stairs at the entrance of Convocation Hall to the Ringing Room for a demonstration of changing and seeing the University Clock in action.

7 to 9 p.m. Class of 2026 All-Campus Celebration
Spencer Quad (in front of duPont Library)
Live music by Entice, full meal, drinks of all kinds, and fireworks. Everyone is invited! Please bring your ID.

sunday, may 10

7 to 9 a.m. Physics Department Breakfast
109 Curlicue Road
Breakfast for physics majors and their families at the home of Randy Peterson

7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
St. Augustine's Chapel
7:30 a.m. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Breakfast
Breakfast for graduates at the home of Catherine Cavagnaro.

7:30 a.m. Department of Earth & Environmental Systems Breakfast
21 Poplar Lane (parking will be in the Proctor's Hall Lot)
Breakfast for graduates at the home of Tom and Julie Powell.

8:45 a.m. Degree Candidates Check In
All Saints' Chapel
Degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences check in.

10 a.m. Commencement
All Saints' Chapel
Convocation for the conferring of degrees for students; the main Quadrangle and Guerry Auditorium for parents and guests. Alternate viewing locations include McClurg Dining Hall (no food or drinks will be served) and Biehl Commons.

Immediately following Commencement Celebration Picnic
Burwell Gardens behind All Saints’ Chapel. Rain location: McClurg Dining Hall.
Tickets Required.

General Information
  • Only graduates will be seated in All Saints' Chapel for the Commencement ceremony, Sunday, May 10. Guests will watch the ceremony live-streamed on the Quad or in Guerry Auditorium.
  • Both McClurg Dining Hall and Biehl Commons, directly across University Avenue from the Quad, will be open during Commencement as alternate viewing options. 
  • Meal tickets are required for both the Baccalaureate lunch on Saturday, May 9, and the Commencement lunch on Sunday, May 10. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be picked up at McGriff Alumni House between Thursday, May 7, and Sunday morning, May 10.

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