2026 Spring Commencement

Kent State Celebrates Nearly 5,000 New Graduates at Spring 2026 Commencement

Kent State University welcomed nearly 5,000 new graduates into its alumni family last week, completing its spring 2026 commencement ceremonies across three days of celebrations on the Kent Campus.

The university conferred 4,987 degrees during ceremonies May 7–9, with a final ceremony for graduating students from the College of Podiatric Medicine to be held May 15 at Cartwright Hall. In total, the Spring Class of 2026 earned 643 associate degrees, 3,332 bachelor's degrees, 835 master's degrees, 162 doctoral degrees and 15 educational specialist degrees.

The week opened Thursday evening, May 7, with a ceremony recognizing master's, educational specialist and doctoral candidates from all colleges. Undergraduate ceremonies followed Friday and Saturday at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center:

 

 

  • Friday, May 8 — Bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Saturday, May 9, morning — Associate and bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Aeronautics and Engineering, and College of Applied and Technical Studies
  • Saturday, May 9, afternoon — Bachelor's degree candidates from the College of the Arts and the College of Education, Health and Human Services
  • Saturday, May 9, evening — Bachelor's degree candidates from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, College of Communication and Information, College of Nursing and College of Public Health

During each ceremony, graduates heard from Kent State President Todd Diacon and Executive Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley before receiving individual name recognition and participating in the conferral of degrees and tassel turning ceremony.

All of the ceremonies can be seen on the Kent State commencement website.

POSTED: Friday, May 8, 2026 08:45 AM
Updated: Monday, May 11, 2026 08:46 AM
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