Dear Students,
Commencement is just a month away, and I’m excited to celebrate the Class of 2026. As the countdown continues, so does your ever-better story—one shaped by your hard work, growth, and achievements. Set your sights on Commencement Weekend and all it represents.
Commencement Weekend (May 15–17, 2026) will bring together graduates, families, and friends to honor this meaningful milestone. It’s a time for reflection, celebration, and looking ahead to what’s next.
At the Warner School ceremony, we will continue our long-standing tradition of centering the celebration on you—our graduates. Rather than a formal keynote speech, the ceremony highlights your journeys, your voices, and the experiences that you brought to this moment.
I’m also delighted to share that Warner teaching & curriculum graduate Onesmo Mushi ’26W (PhD) has been selected as one of this year’s commencement speakers, representing all URochester graduate students at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony on the morning of Friday, May 15, at Fauver Stadium.
If you’re graduating this year, please be sure to register if you haven’t already, so you can take part in the celebration. If your time is still ahead, I encourage you to join us in cheering on your peers and getting a glimpse of what’s to come.
You’ve worked hard to reach this point, and we are incredibly proud of all you’ve accomplished. We look forward to celebrating with you and your loved one. Be sure to visit the 2026 Commencement page for full details, updates, and registration information.
Meliora,
Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD
Dean, Warner School of Education & Human Development