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Commencement

Bucknell's 176th Commencement Ceremony, honoring the Class of 2026, will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Access to Malesardi Quad will open at 7:30 a.m.

Tickets are not required if the ceremony is held outdoors on Malesardi Quadrangle.

This page will continue to be updated over the next several months with additional information, so please keep checking back.

Commencement Security Procedures

Access to Malesardi Quadrangle will open at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Guests are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow time for security screening and seating.
All Commencement guests and graduates will pass through a security checkpoint to access Malesardi Quadrangle. Prohibited items will not be permitted inside.
Only small clutch bags and bags made of clear plastic will be allowed into Malesardi Quad. Plastic bags will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore and the Elaine Langone Center ground floor.

A clear bag that shows internal contents. This bag is allowed at commencement.

Small clutch bag the size of a hand. Hand holding bag for scale.

View all safety and emergency information

Commencement Week Schedule 2026

Schedule is subject to change. Please check back often for updates.

10 a.m.–1 p.m.	POSSE Ceremony Trout Auditorium, Vaughan Literature Building
10 a.m.–noon	Senior Survey, Cap and Gown Pickup Terrace Room, Elaine Langone Center
1–3 p.m.	College Receptions College of Arts & Sciences Sojka Lawn (rain location: Sojka Pavilion) College of Engineering Quad between Academic East and Academic West (rain location: Academic East and Academic West) Freeman College of Management Holmes Hall Patio (rain location: Holmes Hall Lobby) Each college will have a gathering as an opportunity for faculty, staff, families and graduates to celebrate the Class of 2026. Light refreshments will be served.
3–4 p.m.	Alumni Families Reception (by invitation only) Great Room, Hildreth-Mirza Hall
4 p.m.	Catholic Mass Rooke Chapel
4–6 p.m.	Bucknell Community College Scholars Ceremony (by invitation only) Trout Auditorium, Vaughan Literature Building
5–8 p.m.	Graduates Grill* Bostwick Social House, Elaine Langone Center
7 p.m.	Baccalaureate Rooke Chapel Baccalaureate is a multi-faith and multi-cultural celebration for seniors and graduate students and their guests. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Share a blessing or encouragement for graduates here
8 p.m.	Candlelighting Malesardi Quadrangle Seniors will line the perimeter of Malesardi Quad to participate in the Candlelighting Ceremony, a capstone Commencement Weekend event. Parents, family and friends are encouraged to attend and will be seated in the center of Malesardi Quad. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in Gerhard Fieldhouse.
8:30–10 p.m.	Commencement Celebration Sojka Lawn Graduates and their families are invited to attend the Commencement Celebration immediately following the Candlelighting Ceremony, beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all guests.

*Event requires a purchased ticket (including graduate).

Meet Bucknell’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

Bucknell University's 176th Commencement

Ken Freeman '72

Ken Freeman '72 — a distinguished business executive, academic leader and the namesake of Bucknell's Freeman College of Management — will deliver the Commencement address at Bucknell University's 176th Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Read the story

Commencement 2025 Highlights

Honor Your Graduate

Congratulations, Parents!

We invite you to participate in a Bucknell tradition by making a gift to Bucknell in honor of your senior's upcoming graduation. Your collective gifts support today’s students and future generations of Bucknellians, helping them grow into broadly educated leaders ready for success.

Make a gift to honor your grad

Blue, orange, and white collage of Commencement 2025 printable items: a yard sign, a pendant, a drink wrapper, buffet sign and food topper

Show off your Bucknell spirit

Congratulations Class of 2026!

Commencement 2026 Printables are here! Add some orange and blue to your event! Print out your very own Class of 2026 Commencement yard signs, pennants, buffet signs, drink wrappers and food toppers!

Explore your options

Commencement

Contact

Commencement Hotline: 570-577-1192

commencement@bucknell.edu

Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

9 a.m.–4 p.m.	Senior Survey, Cap and Gown Pickup Terrace Room, Elaine Langone Center
2:15 p.m.	Jum'ah Prayer Muslim Prayer Room, Fellowship House
3:30 p.m.	Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony and Reception Hislop Family Auditorium and Main Lobby, Holmes Hall
5:30 pm	Order of the Engineer Ceremony, College of Engineering Forum, Elaine Langone Center

10 a.m.	Commencement Ceremony Malesardi Quadrangle
12:30–3 p.m.	Farewell Luncheon* Bostwick Social House, Elaine Langone Center
3 p.m.	ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Rooke Chapel

Commencement

Registration for Commencement Weekend events is now open

Commencement Security Procedures

Commencement Week Schedule 2026

Meet Bucknell’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

Answers to your most common Commencement questions