Commencement at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½
Commencement 2026
΄σΟσ΄«Γ½’s 184th Commencement ceremony celebrates the Class of 2026 and all their accomplishments at the university.
The university will hold one, unified Commencement ceremony this year for all academic programs.
Ceremony Information
- Time/Date: 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 10
- Location: Page Terrace in front of Grafton Library on the Staunton campus
Faculty, Administration, and 2026 Graduates of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½
President: Dr. Todd Telemeco
Board of Trustees Co-Chairs: Eloise Chandler β77 and Dr. Constance Dierickx
University Chaplain: Dr. Katherine Low
Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs: Dr. Paul Deeble
Deans and Directors:
Gold College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Amy Diduch, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Dean of Gold College
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Dr. Shelia Talbott, Associate Dean and Director, School of Nursing
Dr. Lori Conyers, Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Dr. Nancy Freeborne, Director, Physician Assistant Program
Dr. Sarah McCadden, Interim Director, Occupational Therapy Program
Dr. Jennifer McPherson, Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program
Dr. Kim Nine, Director, Healthcare Administration Program
Dr. Catherine βCassyβ Turner, Director, Physical Therapy Program
Palmer College of Professional Studies
Charles W. βWillβ Webb, Chief Growth Officer, Sr. Vice President and Dean of Palmer College Dr. Pamela Bailey, Associate Dean and Director, School of Education
Catherine Ferris βCatβ McPherson, Associate Dean and Director, School of Business
Commencement Address: Dr. James D. Lott, Dean Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of English
Student Speaker: Elise Marston β18, MEd β26
Student Performers: Tucker Crossley β26, Haven Duncan β26, Nyjiea Freeman β26, Joan Lee β26, Justyn Mills β26, Maia Ott β26
Name Readers:
Dr. Kat Wilford, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Dr. Marty Fontenot, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Dr. Emily Budd, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Program
University Marshal: Dr. Chandra Mason, Professor of Psychology
Associate Marshal: Janet Ewing Associate Professor of Business Administration
Student Marshals:
Senior Marshals: Jadyn McGinniss and Annalise Toone
Junior Marshals: Melissa Louis
Sophomore Marshals: Deanna Chapman, Emma (Remi) Keen, Tessie Namara Magezi
Freshman Marshals: Amarachukwu (Amarachi) Ani, Emily Collins, Madison Keck, Phuc Nguyen, Oluwasemilore (Semi) Taiwo
Location, Seating & Rain Plan
Ceremony location
Commencement will be held on Page Terrace, in front of Grafton Library on the Staunton campus.
Guest seating
There will be unlimited, open seating for guests on Hunt Hill. It’s recommended that guests bring a picnic blanket if they’d like to sit on the hillside. Please be aware that it is grassy and steep.
Accessible seating
Reservations for the accessible seating section have now closed; find more information here. First-come, first-served seating is also available in Francis Auditorium, where the ceremony will be livestreamed.
Graduate check-in on Commencement day
Graduates should go to Hunt Dining Hall to check in and line up. Please see the Commencement FAQs page for more info.
Rain Location
In case of severe inclement weather, ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½’s Commencement will be held at Staunton High School,
If the rain location will be used, graduating students will receive notification via text (sent through the BAM messaging system) and ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ email. A notification will also be posted on the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ website. The timing for these communications will be at approximately 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the ceremony.
Livestream
Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live at marybaldwin.edu/live.
Guests may also view the livestream from Francis Auditorium on campus.
΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Alumni Association
Graduates, be sure to visit the to stay connected as you begin the next phase of your life.
Check back often
Please check back often for further information; this page will be updated as Commencement details are released.
Commencement 2026: FAQs
Have questions about Commencement? Visit our FAQs page or Contact us.