Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Celebrating the 80th Graduate Studies Commencement and 100 Years of Graduate Education in Davis
Congratulations to the UC Davis Graduate Class of 2026! More than 1,000 graduate students were honored at Graduate Studies Commencement on Thursday, June 11 at the University Credit Union Center on campus. In order to celebrate these graduates more personally, two distinct ceremonies were organized by degree type. The Master's Ceremony began at 10 a.m., and the MFA and Doctoral Ceremony began at 3 p.m.
For the morning ceremony, 443 students graduated with their master's degree, while at the afternoon ceremony, 14 graduated with their Master of Fine Arts degree and 547 with their doctoral degrees, celebrating in front of over 5,000 attending loved ones. Due to the unseasonably hot weather, when afternoon temperatures climbed above 100 degrees, Graduate Studies changed how graduating MFA and doctoral students and faculty presenters lined up and took their seats prior to the ceremony. Though a formal procession into the building was not included in this year's afternoon ceremony, as one doctoral graduate said, "I'm glad to be waiting somewhere where there's air conditioning."
During both ceremonies, Jean-Pierre Delplanque, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, gave a warm welcome to the graduates, friends, and families in attendance. He went on to say:
"Graduates, it is my honor to stand before you and say: Congratulations! I know the long hours, late nights, and intense research and study that have gone into earning this degree. And I can only imagine the pride that you feel having reached this final, ceremonial moment – even if a small voice in your head is also saying: 'I’m just glad it’s over now.' Graduate education can be a very solitary pursuit. You spend much of your time focusing on work that can feel deeply personal and consuming. Yet, today, as I look around this room, I see the collective power of our graduate education community.”
Towards the end of his remarks, Delplanque thanked friends, family members, and loved ones, giving a special recognition to all of the children of the graduating student parents and encouraged the children of the graduates to stand and help honor their parents.
Provost Mary Croughan also spoke to the new graduates at both ceremonies.
"I want to start today by acknowledging that when you entered your graduate program, you likely had specific career-related goals and aspirations," said Croughan. "You knew what you wanted to do when you earned your degree. But over the last couple of years, changes in funding and opportunities may have shifted the course of your study or your future plans. Whether you feel like you are on-track or off-track, I am here today to reassure you that you are right where you are meant to be."
As the Graduate Class of 2026 takes this next step in their journey, we encourage them to stay connected through the Graduate Alumni Network. The Graduate Alumni Network is a vibrant community designed for, and by, UC Davis graduate and postdoctoral alumni. It offers meaningful ways to stay engaged, grow professionally, and give back to the graduate community.
Join the Graduate Alumni Network
Cultivating Minds, Seeding Change
Only a week before Commencement on June 5, Graduate Studies commemorated the incredible milestone of 100 years of graduate education in Davis with a Centennial Showcase!
During the Commencement ceremonies, Delplanque said, "In the fall of 1925, the university’s first 12 graduate students came to Davis to study agriculture. Over the last century, those dozen graduate students working in a single discipline have transformed into a community of more than 7,000 graduate students working across nearly every field. It's a remarkable story of growth and innovation. Last week, we celebrated how this story has already been written at our Graduate Studies Centennial Showcase. Campus leadership, faculty, alumni, supporters and graduate students came together at Walker Hall to honor the excellence and impact of our graduate students. And it’s a story that all of you will continue to help write as you take your next step today."
Watch the Master's Ceremony Recording