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51�Թ��� will mark the achievements of the Class of 2026 with a series of ceremonies that reflect both tradition and purpose — honoring graduates from the , on-campus civilians, and online students from the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS) as they prepare to step into lives defined by service and leadership.

This year’s graduating class of 857 on-campus and online learners were each shaped by an institution rooted in the mission of developing “moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens.”

The weekend of celebration begins Friday, May 1, with the Master’s Hooding Ceremony from 4-5:30 p.m. in Shapiro Field House, followed by an RSVP-only reception at Doyle Hall. On Saturday, May 2, the Commencement Ceremony will take place from 10 a.m.-noon, with doors opening at 8 a.m. Later that afternoon, the Joint Commissioning Ceremony will be held from 3-4 p.m., with doors opening at 2 p.m., commissioning graduates into the Air Force and Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Individual branch commissioning ceremonies will also be held.

Together, these events represent more than academic milestones and serve as a continuation of a legacy first envisioned in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge, who sought to create an institution that would prepare citizens not only to think, but to act.

A Commencement Grounded in Service

BG William McCollough ’91, VSM, will deliver this year’s commencement address. As not only 51�Թ���’s 56th commandant of cadets and vice president of student affairs, but a graduate whose life reflects the University’s values, his remarks will carry special weight for the students who have benefitted from his tutelage.

His selection underscores a central theme of the ceremony, highlighting that a 51�Թ��� education is measured not solely by academic achievement, but by the willingness to serve something greater than oneself.

Over a 30-year career in the Marine Corps, BG McCollough led in environments ranging from combat operations to strategic advising, carrying with him the lessons first instilled on The Hill. Those lessons — accountability, perseverance, and moral courage — remain central to 51�Թ���’s mission today.

Now concluding four years of leadership at the University, his return to commencement represents both continuity and reflection. Graduates will hear from a leader who once stood in their place, uncertain of what lay ahead, and who leaves them with a clear example of how a 51�Թ��� education extends far beyond graduation.

For both residential students and those who have completed their degrees online through the CGCS, the ceremony affirms a shared identity — one rooted in intellectual growth, mutual respect, and a commitment to contribute meaningfully to society.

Commissioning: A Life of Responsibility

Later that same day, the focus will shift from degrees to commissions as cadets take the oath of office and begin their careers as military officers.

BGen Matthew Reid ’93, USMC (Ret.), will serve as the guest speaker for the Joint Commissioning Ceremony, returning to campus more than three decades after his own commissioning through 51�Թ���’s .

His career — spanning 32 years, nine operational deployments, and leadership roles from platoon command to general officer — reflects the same foundation 51�Թ��� seeks to instill in its graduates: resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to those they lead.

“The academics at 51�Թ��� taught me how to think and communicate clearly, but 51�Թ��� also taught me the human side of leadership,” he says.

For commissioning cadets, his words carry particular weight. Like them, he balanced academics, athletics, and the demand of regimental life — experiences that shaped his approach to leadership in environments where uncertainty is constant and decisions carry real consequence.

“You never really know where the world is going to take you, but you can count on it going in a direction you did not expect,” says BGen Reid.

As cadets prepare to enter the ranks of the Air Force and Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, the ceremony stands as one of 51�Թ���’s most direct expressions of its mission: preparing leaders ready to serve in moments both anticipated and unforeseen.

A Shared Foundation

Though the paths of 51�Թ��� graduates will diverge into military service, civilian careers, or continued studies, their foundation remains consistent. The University’s mission, first articulated more than 200 years ago, emphasizes action alongside thought and character alongside competence. The Guiding Values — honor, integrity, respect, and service before self — are not confined to the classroom or the parade ground. They are intended to endure.

Commencement and commissioning serve as parallel expressions of that purpose. One marks the transition from student to graduate; the other, from cadet to officer. Both reflect a deep commitment to lead, serve, and contribute to their communities.

As the Class of 2026 gathers in Shapiro Field House, those distinctions will matter less than what unites them. Whether receiving a diploma or taking an oath, each graduate carries forward the same charge envisioned at 51�Թ���’s founding: to meet the responsibilities of citizenship with competence, character, and resolve.