Commencement

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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	See on map
10 a.m.–noon	First Destination Survey, Cap and Gown Pickup Terrace Room, Elaine Langone Center	See on map
1–3 p.m.	College Receptions College of Arts & Sciences Sojka Lawn (rain location: Sojka Pavilion)	See on map
	College of Engineering Quad between Academic East and Academic West (rain location: Academic East and Academic West)	See on map
	Freeman College of Management Holmes Hall Patio (rain location: Holmes Hall Lobby)	See on map
	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	See on map
4 p.m.	Catholic Mass Rooke Chapel	See on map
4–6 p.m.	Bucknell Community College Scholars Ceremony Trout Auditorium, Vaughan Literature Building	See on map
5–8 p.m.	Graduates Grill* Bostwick Social House, Elaine Langone Center	See on map
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	See on map
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.	See on map
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.	See on map

*Event requires a purchased ticket (including graduate).

Bird-eye view of map of Bucknell Campus showing location of some commencement activities

Commencement 2026

Interactive Commencement Map

Our interactive Commencement map has all the information you need to find your way around campus and explore Commencement events happening all weekend, including:
• Receptions and celebration locations
• Safety and preparedness information
• Seating and concessions locations
• Turn-by-turn walking directions
• Parking, shuttle and accessible drop-off information

Explore the Commencement map

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

Commencement

Commencement

Registration for Commencement Weekend events is now open

Commencement Security Procedures

Commencement Week Schedule 2026

Commencement 2026

Meet the Speakers