Cheering graduates toss their caps in jubilation

Commencement

Congratulations, Wellesley College Class of 2026!

Wellesley celebrated the purple class of 2026 along with their families and friends at Wellesley’s 148th commencement exercises on Friday, May 15, 2026. Commencement speaker  Ruth J. Simmons urged the class to “embrace the full humanity of others.”

Speeches

  • Elise Christina Wilson ’26 speaks from the podium

    Elise Christina Wilson ’26

    “We know that the future belongs to those who dare to imagine solutions that no one has dared to imagine yet.”—senior speaker Elise Christina Wilson ’26

  • Ruth J. Simmons speaks from the podium

    Ruth J. Simmons

    “Failure is tragic only if our efforts lack the intensity worthy of the goal we pursue.”—commencement speaker Ruth J. Simmons

  • Paula Johnson speaks from the podium

    President Johnson

    “I hope you never underestimate your power to imagine new ways to move our country and world forward.”—President Paula A. Johnson

Highlights

Student cap decorated to read "dare to flourish"
Student in cap and gown takes a photo of another group of students in their commencement attire
Student waves to the camera as the procession line starts to move
Deans holding purple balloons
A faculty member excitedly greets a student while processing down a sidewalk lined with excited members of the class of 2026
Claire Schultz ’26 and Vivian Lee ’26 deliver remarks from the podium on the commencement stage

Senior class co-presidents Claire Schultz ’26 and Vivian Lee ’26 introduced the student speaker.

Graduation cap bedazzled with the Wellesley W in blue
Seniors cheer and clap from their seats under the commencement tent
President Johnson with professors Mala Radhakrishnan, Jenny Musto, and Pat Giersch on stage

Mala Radhakrishnan, professor of chemistry; Jenny Musto, associate professor of women’s and gender studies; and Pat Giersch, Edith Stix Wasserman Professor in Asian Studies and Professor of History were awarded the Pinanski Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Kaye Peterman, Yue Hu, Joe Joyce, James Kodera , Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, and Kathryn Lynch stand at their seats

Wellesley honored retiring faculty Kaye Peterman, Yue Hu, Joe Joyce, James Kodera, Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, and Kathryn “Cappy” Lynch, as well as Daniela Bartalesi-Graf and Ann Velenchik (not pictured).

View of the stage from the audience as students cross to receive their diplomas
View from behind the stage as a student pops confetti into the air and raises her hands in excitement
Students pose with their diplomas

Ceremony recording

Watch the recording of the livestream. An edited version will be available next week.

Watch the recording

Press contacts

Address
College Club
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481
Contact
Stacey Schmeidel
Phone
781.283.3321

Commencement team

Address
Physical Plant
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481
Contact
Commencement staff
Phone
781.283.2375