Class of 2026 orientation photo courtesy of Panfoto
Wellesley will celebrate the purple class of 2026 on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. General seating will open at 9 a.m.
Ruth J. Simmons, groundbreaking leader in higher education and recipient of the the National Humanities Medal, will address the class of 2026 and their families and friends at Wellesley’s 148th commencement exercises.
The ceremony will take place outdoors on Severance Green beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET and will also be livestreamed. Captions will be displayed on both the in-person and livestream feeds. We will be offering simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin, Spanish, and Korean. Headsets can be picked up on the morning of commencement for in-person attendees, and a link to the translation service for remote viewers will be available on the Wellesley Live page during the ceremony.
The draft schedule is tentative and subject to change with the exception of commencement exercises.
Commencement resources
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Map
Find your way around campus and to various activities.
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Livestream
Not attending in person? Watch the livestream.
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Commencement speaker
Pioneering educator Ruth J. Simmons will deliver the commencement address.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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2:00 p.m. Commencement ceremony rehearsal
Severance Green tent seniors only, attendance is required
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Academic department celebrations
Academic Quad tent Economics
Science Center Complex Science Center departments
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10:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Sigma Xi initiation
Jewett Auditorium Seniors and guests
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11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Pre-baccalaureate luncheon
Bates Hall Culinary Center Purchase tickets for seniors and guests.
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1:30 p.m. Senior class picture
Severance Green Hill All seniors. Photos available for purchase from Panfoto.
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2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Baccalaureate celebration
Houghton Chapel All seniors, guests with limited seating. Please view more information here.
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3:15 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Academic department celebrations continue after the baccalaureate celebration
Houghton Chapel lawn tent Humanities
Academic Quad lawn tent Social Sciences
Davis Museum Plaza Arts
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4:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa initiation
Jewett Auditorium Seniors and guests
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8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Baccalaureate concert
Houghton Chapel Seniors and guests
Friday, May 15, 2026
Commencement Day
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9:00 a.m. Ceremony seating opens
Severance Green tent
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9:30 a.m. Procession formation
Academic Quad All seniors
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10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Commencement exercises
Severance Green tent (also live streamed). Seating opens at 9:00 a.m. No tickets are required.
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1:15 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Complimentary light lunch and reception
Houghton Chapel lawn Graduates and guests
Wellesley College Commencement
Wellesley will celebrate the purple class of 2026 on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
Press contacts
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481
Commencement team
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481