2026 digital program coming soon

Commencement | Class of 2026
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Order of Exercises

Processional

Welcome

Terri L. Kelly
President, Board of Trustees

Recognitions

William Farquhar
Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Presentation of the Colors

Cadets of the University of Delaware Air Force and Army ROTC

National Anthem

Kelly Irwin, Class of 2026

President’s Remarks

Laura Carlson
President of the University of Delaware

Honorary Degrees

Mariah Calagione, Doctor of Humane Letters

Joseph August Pika, III, Doctor of Humane Letters

Deborah Willis, Doctor of Fine Arts

Ken Whitney, Doctor of Humane Letters

Commencement Speaker’s Address

Mariah Calagione

Recognition of Students

Conferring of Degrees

Closing Remarks

Amy Grundy
President of the University of Delaware Alumni Association

Singing of the Alma Mater

Hail to thee proud Delaware,
In loyalty we stand.
We give thee thanks
for glorious days
Beneath thy guiding hand.
Full often will we praise thy name,
Thy colors proudly bear;
We lift our voices now to sing
All hail to Delaware.

Recessional

UDAA Warner & Taylor Award Winners

The 2026 recipients of the Emalea Pusey Warner and Alexander J. Taylor Awards for Outstanding Seniors are Ellery Bergman Chudnow and Nivedita Prabhu.

Presented annually, the Warner and Taylor awards recognize seniors who demonstrate leadership, academic success and community service. Students must also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better at the end of the first semester of senior year.

Read more about Ellery and Nivedita.

High Index Senior

Mikul Duggal has earned the highest grade-point index for the Class of 2026 for a combination of a 4.0 GPA with the highest number of earned hours taken in residence (142 credits), with a combined cumulative credit total of 190. Mikul, an honors student, triple majored and is receiving bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience, computer science and liberal studies, with minors in medical humanities and biological science.

After graduation, Mikul will attend the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.

The High Index Senior award recognizes the graduating senior who has achieved the highest grade-point index, earned in full-time study toward a degree, which combines GPA with the highest number of earned hours taken in residence at UD. To be eligible for this award, students must earn at least 90 credits. Blue Hens earning a single degree must complete their program in four years, and students pursuing multiple, simultaneous degrees must complete their studies in five years or less.

Degree Candidates by College

  • * Cum Laude candidate
  • † Magna Cum Laude candidate
  • ‡ Summa Cum Laude candidate
  • § Degree with Distinction candidate
  • ∞ Community Engagement Scholar
  • ⌂ U.S. Military – Active Duty, Reserve or Veteran

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Please contact the University of Delaware Office of Communications & Marketing at ocm@udel.edu if you have concerns with your image being used.