Commencement 2026 May 9-10

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).

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

12-4 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.

Friday, May 8

10 a.m. - 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. - 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.

12-4 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.

2-3 p.m. American Struggle: A Conversation about Democracy Past, Present, and Future
Guerry Auditorium
Join us for a conversation between Jon Meacham, C'91, H'10, and veteran news anchor, John Seigenthaler.

5:30-8 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
The service will be shown on monitors on the main Quadrangle and in Guerry Auditorium. Very limited seating in the chapel for families is first-come, first-served. Doors will open at 9 a.m.

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. - 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. - 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. 

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

7-9 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 if you look younger than 21.

sunday, may 10

7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
All Saints' 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.

Celebration picnic
Burwell Gardens behind All Saints’ Chapel. Rain location: McClurg Dining Hall.

General Information
  • Tickets are not needed for the Baccalaureate service in All Saints' Chapel on Saturday, May 9; however, seats are very limited inside the Chapel and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 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 needed 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.

Around the Mountain