UCM to Celebrate 2026 Spring Commencement May 8-9

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) will welcome thousands of visitors as it hosts the 2026 Spring Commencement exercises Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.

The celebration will bring families, friends and students together for six ceremonies honoring more than 2,000 individuals who have met the requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Spring and summer graduates are invited to participate in the ceremonies, along with a number of early and late walkers who are also eligible.

Anyone who cannot attend but would like to view the ceremonies can do so virtually by visiting the UCM Commencement Livestream page.

Commencement exercises begin Friday, May 8, with three graduate ceremonies. Graduates who have previously been awarded a master's degree from the College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST) will be honored at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The 7 p.m. ceremony will include master’s degree candidates from CHST and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). During the graduate ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, master’s degrees will be conferred upon students from the College of Education (COE) and the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies (HCBPS).

Undergraduate ceremonies are planned for Saturday afternoon and begin at 2 p.m. with the recognition of bachelor’s degree candidates from HCBPS and COE, along with the THRIVE program. During the final ceremony of the weekend at 6 p.m., bachelor’s degrees will be conferred upon students who completed degree requirements in CHST and CAHSS, as well as the General Studies program.

UCM President Roger Best will confer degrees upon graduates in each ceremony. In addition to his comments, there will be remarks at each graduation event from a member of the Board of Governors, a member of the UCM Alumni Foundation, an academic leader and a graduating student. UCM Music faculty and students will engage in the weekend festivities as participants in the Brass Ensemble, the Wind Ensemble and the UCM Concert Choir.

Saturday's commencement exercises will include recognizing the achievements of UCM faculty members and students. At 10 a.m., the Byler Distinguished Faculty Award will be presented to Joyce Chang, Ph.D., professor of Human Development and Family Sciences. Charno Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. to Hadley Oden, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, and at 6 p.m. to Piper Foreman, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Oden and Foreman both graduated in December.

Other events planned during commencement weekend include the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday in the Elliott Student Union Auditorium. On Saturday, the School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony is at 2:30 p.m. in the Highlander Theatre.

For more information, visit the 2026 Spring Commencement website.