Transylvania University is celebrating its Class of 2026 this week with a variety of events culminating with Saturday’s commencement.
At the 9 a.m. ceremony on Old Morrison Lawn, 226 students will receive their Bachelor of Arts degrees. The event will also feature a student address and other speakers. An Alumni Welcome Reception will immediately follow in Alumni Plaza behind Old Morrison.
Watch the livestream here, and get details like rain plans.
This graduating class has excelled with 56% earning Latin honors (3.5 GPA or higher) and 58% with honors in their individual programs.
Of this year’s seniors, around 60% are going to grad school either this fall or following a gap year, and 40% plan to join the workforce in a variety of roles — from media to finance to computer science to the military. Two of them are serving in the Peace Corps.
The 2026 student commencement speaker is Kate Polson, an education and social change major double-minoring in philosophy and creative writing. Polson, who plans to attend law school after graduation, has served as chief of staff for the Student Government Association, a writer for The Rambler and Writing Center staffer. She is from Glasgow, Kentucky.
In this week leading up to the ceremony, the campus community is recognizing these graduates with events including Thursday’s Senior Toast, Friday’s Last Lecture with professor Tiffany Wheeler, an awards ceremony and a reception with their families.
Check out the full schedule of Senior Week activities and commencement updates.