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Ceremony & Festival

Commencement 2026

By WashU

May 18^th, 2026

The WashU Class of 2026 celebrated the university’s 165th Commencement on Friday, May 15, at Francis Olympic Field with a little help from Emmy winner and St. Louis’ own Andy Cohen. “Sometimes the weird way to success is the right way to success,” Cohen told graduates. “Success from today forward will come from knowing who you are, who your friends are and following your dreams.” Here we capture the Class of 2026 as they celebrate their success and look to the future.

This university is 173 years old. It was here long before any of us, and it will be here long after all of us — but only because, in every generation, the people who received their diplomas on days like today decided it was worth keeping. It does not belong to the trustees or the faculty or the people whose names end up on the buildings. Starting today, it belongs to you.

– Board of Trustees Chair Andrew Bursky

I’ve learned a lot about success from “The Real Housewives.” And you can too! The housewives can get scrappy, but their ability to forgive is regenerative and a lesson for all of us. Success for a real housewife is learning how to laugh at yourself, and own when you’re wrong.

– Commencement speaker Andy Cohen

We came here wondering if we belonged. We leave knowing that we always did. I hope you will remember this wherever you end up next. Don’t be afraid to be the person who shapes the culture in your workplace, the one who tackles the issues you care most about with grace, the one who is up for the difficult conversation and willing to learn. Be vulnerable. Be you. That is your strength.

– Undergraduate student speaker Mason Shaver

Communities, movements and friendships all begin with a few people choosing to acknowledge each other’s perspectives and challenges.

– Graduate student speaker Sejal Popat

What are YOU working toward? What is YOUR purpose? At WashU, this is a question we now ask every incoming first-year student. It’s a question we provide opportunities to reflect on through your college experience. And it’s a question we want you to return to as you leave us for the world ahead. What is the purpose that drives you?

– Chancellor Andrew D. Martin

Graduates, we wish you great success and fulfillment and joy. We are proud of you. And we hope you’ll come back and visit us often. Congratulations Class of 2026. You made it.

– Chancellor Andrew D. Martin

Footnotes

Photos by Robert Cohen, Jeff Curry, Whitney Curtis, Carol Green, Zachary Linhares and Matt Miller. Video by Tom Malkowicz. Curation and design by Whitney Curtis.

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FootNotes

Photos by Robert Cohen, Jeff Curry, Whitney Curtis, Carol Green, Zachary Linhares and Matt Miller. Video by Tom Malkowicz. Curation and design by Whitney Curtis.