May 24, 2026

Photo galleries: Celebrating the Class of 2026

Enjoy a selection of photographs captured at Commencement, held on the Quad Sat., May 23. Enjoy a full collection of Commencement photos on SmugMug. Please note: Photos will remain live on SmugMug for ten days only.

(Photos by Michael Kubel and Rick Smith; Photos edited by Ashli Truchon Novak)

Anticipation and Preparation

Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile on their way to Commencement
Graduates smile with the Leopard.
Graduates smile with the Leopard.
A graduate gets help with their gown.
The family of Aidan Boudreaux stand by a memorial bench.
The family of Aidan Boudreaux '26 (center) gathers to celebrate at a bench recently dedicated to the memory of Boudreaux’s grandfather, Paul O’Hea ’66. This photo, taken Friday, features from left: Dan Pitluk ’92, Christine O’Hea Pitluk ’92, Aidan Boudreaux ’26, Erin O’Hea ’96 P’26 ’29, Edwin Boudreaux P’26’29, Morgan Boudreaux ’29, Sharon O’Hea P’92 ’96 GP’26 ’29 (seated).

Academic Procession

Mace barer leads the faculty in procession.
Graduates smile during the procession.
Graduates smile during the procession.
Graduates smile during the procession.
Students take a selfie.
Students walk in graduation gowns and a poncho.
Students walk in graduation gowns and a poncho.
Students walk in graduation gowns and a poncho.
A student walks in their graduation gown and poncho.
The Leopard, wearing a graduation cap and gown, points at graduates.
A family member takes a photo of their graduate, holding up a sign of their face.
A graduate laughs as they talk with professors.
A professor hugs a student.
President Hurd waves to graduates.
President Hurd waves.
A student smiles in the rain.
A faculty member walks in the rain.
Two members of the Board of Trustees share an umbrella.

Ceremony

Alex Hendrickson smiles at the podium.
Graduates perform with the band, playing instruments during Commencement.
Graduates sing during commencement.
A student blows kisses in the crowd of graduates.
A student wears sunglasses in the crowd of graduates.
200 tassel
Graduates in the crowd
Back of President Nicole Hurd.
Bob Sell speaks at the podium.
200 diploma.
Audrey Flack's representative receives an honorary degree, embracing President Nicole Hurd.
Students in the crowd
Arthur C. Brooks receives his honorary degree.
Arthur C. Brooks hugs President Nicole Hurd.
Arthur C. Brooks speaks at the podium
Family members smile in ponchos in the crowd.
A family waves, wearing matching Leopard ponchos.
Families watch under umbrellas
A graduate watches underneath an umbrella
Tim Cox speaks at the podium.
A graduate shakes President Nicole Hurd's hand.
A graduate hugs President Nicole Hurd
A graduate hugs President Nicole Hurd
A graduate hugs President Nicole Hurd
A graduate smiles
A member of the crowd takes pictures and cheers.
A member of the crowd takes pictures and cheers.
A graduate waves in the rain.
A member of the crowd takes pictures and cheers.
A member of the crowd takes pictures and cheers.
Families share little signs for their loved ones who are graduating.
A graduate smiles between the raindrops.
A graduate hugs President Nicole Hurd.
A graduate, covered in rain, smiles at the crowd.
A graduate hugs President Nicole Hurd
Two graduates hug
Dexter Kennedy poses with his diploma
Two graduates speak at the podium.
President Nicole Hurd hugs Dexter Kennedy
A graduate celebrates in the middle of the crowd.
Dexter Kennedy speaks at the podium during Commencement.
Dexter Kennedy speaks at the podium during Commencement.
Speaker at a podium during Commencement.

Celebrations

Family members pose with their graduate for a photo
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate holds up her phone with a loved one on facetime.
A graduate smiles with a family member for a selfie
A graduate hugs a family member.
A graduate smiles with their family.
A graduate smiles, holding flowers and surrounded by family.
Categorized in: Bicentennial, Class of 2026, Commencement 2026, Featured News, News and Features, Students