Commencement 2026 Schedule of Events

Please note that all events are subject to change.

Thursday, May 14

Mandatory Graduate Informational Meeting

3–4 p.m. Main Lecture Hall in Franklin Patterson Hall

All graduating students are required to attend this informational session for Commencement.

Friday, May 15

Gallery Show

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harold F. Johnson Library Gallery

Annual ON ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN Exhibition, featuring work by Hampshire Div III students

Division III Showcase

1–3 p.m. in Franklin Patterson Hall

Community Bell Ringing

3:15–4 p.m. in front of Harold F. Johnson Library

Community Food Truck Fest

4–5:30 p.m. under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Solar Canopy

Everyone is welcome! Join us for a food truck picnic under the Solar Canopy, rain or shine. Dessert and drinks will be provided, meals available for purchase from a number of popular vendors.

Saturday, May 16

We will honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the amazing Hampshire graduates from winter 2025 and spring 2026, and look forward to having families and friends on campus to cheer them on!

Everyone is welcome to commemorate this milestone with us. Because this is their day to celebrate, seating under the tent will be prioritized for graduates and their friends and families, who will have tickets, along with faculty members and those in need of accessible accommodations. Please plan to arrive early, as there’s no reserved seating.

Other guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair (picnic optional!)

We’ll also have three viewing rooms in Franklin Patterson Hall for anyone who wishes to be indoors.

HampStore

9 a.m.–2 p.m. in the lower level of the Harold F. Johnson Library

Come pick up some Hampshire memorabilia!

Coffee and tea available for purchase

9–10:30 a.m., R.W. Kern Center

Commencement Ceremony

11 a.m.–1 p.m. under the tent on the library lawn

Live stream and air-conditioned overflow seating available in the Main Lecture Hall of Franklin Patterson Hall

Join us for a celebration of our 2026 graduates! Commencement will involve several community speakers and recognition of each graduate. The Commencement procession will begin at 10:45 a.m. followed by the ceremony at 11 a.m.

If you're unable to join us in person, the Commencement ceremony will be live streamed on YouTube, and a full video will be posted after the event.

>> Download a PDF of the program here

>> Download a PDF of the invitation here

OPENING OF THE CEREMONY

Mike Purcell, Campus Safety and Wellbeing Assistant

WELCOME

Jose Fuentes 05F, Chair of the Board of Trustees

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Javiera Benavente, Assistant Dean of Collaborative and Community Engaged Learning (read the Living Land Acknowledgment)

CELEBRATORY ADDRESS

Jennifer Chrisler, President

STUDENT MODERATOR

Tenzin Jobe 22F

STAFF TOAST

Mike Purcell, Campus Safety and Wellbeing Assistant

FACULTY TOAST

Noah Romero, Assistant Professor of Native American and Indigenous Studies

STUDENT ADDRESS

Samara Ternoir 22F

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

J Finley 00F, Associate Professor of Africana Studies, Pomona College, Claremont, CA

ALUMNI TOAST

Harrison Blum 01F

CONFERRAL OF DEGREES

Jennifer Chrisler, President
Gary Hawkins, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty