Commencement 2026
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Hundreds of Ravens of the Class of 2026 crossed the stage to applause from family, friends, and faculty on Saturday, May 16. Scroll to see photos, videos and more from Benedictine College’s Commencement Weekend.
Champagne Brunch
A longstanding and beloved tradition, the Senior Champagne Brunch takes place the day before Commencement and is a time for graduates to celebrate the important milestone they have reached in their lives. At this year’s brunch, graduates heard from Molly Tynan ’18, who was the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni award.
March of Light
Graduates gather around the ‘B’ for a group photo, then process up the Raven Walk to place a candle in Mary’s Grotto, before finally processing into the Abbey Church for the Baccalaureate Mass.
Baccalaureate Mass
Graduates join their professors and other members of the college community in the celebration of the Baccalaureate Mass, at which the intentions of all graduates are offered in prayer. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann was the primary celebrant and delivered the homily at this year’s Mass.
The Ceremony
Caps and gowns are donned, the time has come, and graduates process across campus into Ralph Nolan Gymnasium to begin the Commencement Exercises, watched by joyful family and friends.
Valedictorians
During the ceremony, we celebrated the academic excellence exemplified by three members of the new Class of 2026.
Honorary Degrees
Benedictine College was proud to welcome Peter Cancro, founder and chairman of the board of the popular sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s, as our 2026 Commencement Speaker. Before delivering the Commencement Address to our graduates, Mr. Cancro received the Doctorate of Humane Letters. In addition, Benedictine College awarded Honorary Degrees to Marcie Stokman, founder of the Well-Read Mom organization, and Mary Ann Carney Skolaut, the first female Pizza Hut franchisee and founder of the first pro-life pregnancy care center in Wichita, Kansas.
Celebrations
Congratulations to the Benedictine College Class of 2026! Once a Raven, Always a Raven.
