Wesleyan’s 194th Commencement Ceremony is on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. Faculty and Undergraduates assemble on the top of Foss Hill at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place on Andrus Field in the center of campus, rain or shine, and will last approximately 2½ hours. The ceremony may also be viewed online.

At Commencement, we will be recognizing three inspiring leaders with honorary degrees: Chris Murphy, the junior United States senator for Connecticut, who will also deliver the Commencement address; Dr. David M. Carlisle ’76, president and chief executive officer of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles; and Karen Freedman ’75, P’05, founder and president of Lawyers For Children in New York City and Wesleyan University trustee emerita.

All are welcome to join us for Reunion + Commencement Weekend, May 22–24—three days of programming and events celebrating our reunion alumni and graduating students! Families of graduating students attending only the Sunday Commencement Ceremony do not need to register or check in for the weekend.

2026 Commencement Ceremony Live Broadcast
10:45 a.m. EDT, May 24

Join us here at 10:45 a.m. EDT on May 24 to view the Commencement Ceremony live.

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Find out all of the essential information about Commencement 2026!

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Commencement Speakers

Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy, the junior United States senator for Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Murphy has been a leading voice in the Senate, fighting for affordable health care, sensible gun laws, a forward-looking foreign policy, and a democracy and economy that serves working people.

READ MURPHY'S FULL BIO

Dr. David M. Carlisle ’76

Dr. David M. Carlisle has served as the president and chief executive officer of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the Watts-Willowbrook area of Los Angeles County since 2011. Carlisle graduated from Wesleyan University, majoring in chemistry. He then earned his MD from Brown University and his MPH and his PhD in Health Services Research from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

READ CARLISLE'S FULL BIO

Karen Freedman ’75, P’05

Karen Freedman is the founder and President of Lawyers For Children. Since graduating law school, Freedman has dedicated her legal career to serving children and young adults. Lawyers For Children opened its doors 40 years ago, and since that time has represented over 100,000 children and young adults.

READ FREEDMAN'S FULL BIO

Michael S. Roth '78

Michael S. Roth '78 became the 16th president of Wesleyan University on July 1, 2007. A professor in history and the humanities, he continues to teach undergraduate courses and is known as a historian, curator, author, and public advocate for liberal education.

Read the President's full bio