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April 26, 2026

Binghamton University to award nearly 4,600 diplomas at Commencement

The Class of 2026 will be honored during nine ceremonies May 14–16

Internationalization, as demonstrated by the flags flown each year during Commencement, is critical to Binghamton University's success. Internationalization, as demonstrated by the flags flown each year during Commencement, is critical to Binghamton University's success.
Internationalization, as demonstrated by the flags flown each year during Commencement, is critical to Binghamton University's success.
By Natalie Blando-George
April 17, 2026

Binghamton University will confer more than 4,600 degrees for baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral candidates during nine Commencement ceremonies in May. Three ceremonies will be held daily from Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, 2026.

A doctoral hooding ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, to honor doctoral candidates from Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Community and Public Affairs, the School of Management, and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. Doctoral candidates from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will be hooded during the school’s ceremony at 9 a.m. on May 14, while doctoral candidates from the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences will be hooded during their college’s ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on May 14. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees will be conferred during each school’s own ceremony (see full schedule below).

The doctoral hooding and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ceremonies will be held in the University’s Osterhout Concert Theater, while all other ceremonies will be held in the University’s Events Center.

“My heartfelt congratulations to all members of the Binghamton University Class of 2026,” said President Anne D’Alleva. “Commencement is a meaningful culmination of your studies and a celebration of your many accomplishments. I look forward to joining you and your families for this momentous occasion. We are also honored to share the day with distinguished guests, including three alumni honorary degree recipients and other extraordinary speakers. I am deeply grateful to all who help organize and support Commencement Week and make these events run so smoothly.”

During the three-day event, over 3,400 baccalaureate degrees will be awarded, and more than 950 master’s students will take the stage. Nearly 250 doctoral candidates will receive their hoods.

Commencement schedule and list of speakers

The complete Commencement schedule and student and guest information are available on the University’s Commencement website.

Each ceremony is expected to last about two hours; doors will open 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the event.

Thursday, May 14

9 a.m. — School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osterhout Concert Theater, Anderson Center

  • Keynote speaker: Sara Roszak, healthcare and public health executive
  • Student speaker: Jason Oppong ’23

12:30 p.m. — Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, Osterhout Concert Theater, Anderson Center

  • Keynote speaker: Chevelle Newsome, president of the Council of Graduate Schools

4:30 p.m. — Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Events Center

  • Graduate student speaker: Iris Costner, physical therapy
  • Undergraduate student speaker: Iris Lee, nursing

Friday, May 15

8:30 a.m. — Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Events Center

  • Honorary degree recipient: Nana Banerjee, PhD ’96, business leader, strategist, and investor
  • Student speaker: Isabelle Saint, biomedical engineering

1 p.m. — College of Community and Public Affairs, Events Center

  • Graduate student speaker: Paris DeFreitas ’25, public administration and policy
  • Undergraduate student speaker: Donna Napolitano, human development

4:30 p.m. — School of Management, Events Center

  • Honorary degree recipient: Susan Marenoff-Zausner ’87, president of the Intrepid Museum
  • Student speaker: Leila Joseph, business administration

Saturday, May 16

8:30 a.m. — Harpur College of Arts and Sciences 1, Events Center

  • Honorary degree recipient: William H. Groner ’77, lawyer, educator, author, and social entrepreneur
  • Student speaker: Ela Shriqui, integrative neuroscience

12:30 p.m. — Harpur College of Arts and Sciences 2, Events Center

  • Alumni award recipient: Shareema Gadson-Shaw ’96, deputy bureau chief for recruitment and retention at the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, leader at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy
  • Student speaker: Mahzuba “Rome” Maliha, economics

4:30 p.m. — Harpur College of Arts and Sciences 3, Events Center

  • Student speaker: Jocelyn Ghanney, biological sciences, global public health, and human development

Stream Commencement ceremonies

All Commencement ceremonies will be available to watch live on the University’s YouTube channel.