Guest Information Baccalaureate Candidates for Graduation HONORS HOME
Class of 2026 Commencement
10 a.m. Sunday, May 10, 2026
Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center
Jonathan M. Brand, President of the College, presiding
Order of Service
Invocation
The Rev. Melea White, Chaplain of the College
Welcome
Jan Thomas, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Introductions
Jonathan M. Brand, President of the College
Senior Address
Jack Carlson '26
Emiriti Citations
James Freeman, Professor of Mathematics
James Martin, Professor of Music
Christina Penn-Goetsch, Professor of Art History
Leon Tabak, Professor of Computer Science
presented by Kate Kauper, Interim Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor of Education
Presentation of Candidates for Degrees
Kate Kauper
Conferring of Degrees
Charge to the Graduates
Jonathan M. Brand
Alma Mater
Ava Claussen-Tubbs '26
Brittni Tieden '26
Garrett Michulka '26
Jonah Seely '26
Benediction
The Rev. Melea White
Recessional Music
Cornell, Greater Be Thy Name
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Graduate representatives sing: Thousands have, from far and near, heard our chimes so sweetly ring: Countless voices here will sing, praises of our college dear. Cornell, greater be thy name. Than e'er in the days of yore! Cornell, brighter be thy fame, in the years that lie before.
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Graduate representatives sing: Here we stand, a loyal band, firm for all that's good and right; By the Purple and the White, may thy students ever stand. Cornell, greater be thy name. Than e'er in the days of yore! Cornell, brighter be thy fame, in the years that lie before.
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Audience joins in singing: When from thee we're far away, tears of mem'ry dim our eyes; As loved scenes before them rise, then we'll sing and then we'll say: Cornell, greater be thy name. Than e'er in the days of yore! Cornell, brighter be thy fame, in the years that lie before.
Post event planning
Families are encouraged to meet up with their student after they pick up their diploma and brunch tickets from the Registrar's table for photographs inside and outside and proceed to brunch together at the Hilltop Café.
Academic Regalia
The president of Cornell College wears a medallion representing the official seal of the college, hung from a chain of hand-cut silver links. An identical medallion is embedded in the college mace, commissioned in honor of the inauguration of President Jonathan Brand. The position of mace bearer is derived from medieval England when officials were protected by a bodyguard holding a mace. Cornell’s College Marshal, a senior faculty member, carries the mace just in front of the president in academic processions.
The academic dress worn by today’s participants stems from medieval Europe, when scholars were also clerics and wore the robe of the monastic orders. The hood, now ceremonially draped around the neck, was originally a cowl attached to the gown and could be slipped over the head for warmth.
The hood represents the highest degree earned by the wearer. The color of its silk lining indicates the institution granting the degree. The color of the velvet border indicates the kind of degree: brown, fine arts or architecture; dark blue, philosophy; drab, business; green, medicine; lemon, library science; light blue, education; orange, engineering; pink, music; purple, law; sage green, physical education; scarlet, theology; white, arts, letters, or humanities; yellow, science.