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UAF to host 104th commencement ceremony

The ҹɫ���� will honor the Class of 2026 during its 104th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m. at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.

The university's first commencement took place in 1923, when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. On Saturday, UAF expects to confer approximately 1,263 degrees on 1,102 students. Some students will receive more than one degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer and fall 2025 and spring 2026.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney; UA regents Dennis Michel, Karen Perdue and Fernando Escobar; UAF Interim Provost Charlene Stern; and UAF Graduate School Director Emeline Lees will help UAF Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga confer degrees. The Troth Yeddha’ Dance Troupe will open the event.

The student speaker will be Paradise Porter, who is graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Japanese studies and social work.

This year’s outstanding students are Matia Wartes, recipient of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award honoring an outstanding bachelor’s degree candidate; Kendall Wills, recipient of the Joel Wiegert Award honoring an outstanding associate degree candidate; and Elizabeth Giudice, recipient of the Gray Tilly Memorial Award honoring an outstanding nontraditional graduating candidate.

Porter will be the procession’s student marshal.

Sixteen retiring staff and faculty members will be granted emeritus status, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.

The faculty and staff, with their emeritus titles, are: Shannon K. Atkinson DeMaster, professor of fisheries; Stephen “Walkie” Charles, associate professor of Yup’ik language; Billy Connor, director of the Arctic Infrastructure Development Center; Patricia Doak, associate professor of biology and wildlife; Darrin “Bear” Edson, superintendent of operations; Hajo Eicken, director of the International Arctic Research Center; Donald L. Hampton, research professor of space physics; Katherine S. Hedstrom, oceanographer; Joan E. Hornig, associate professor of elementary education; Michael S. Koskey, associate professor of Indigenous studies; Ellen D. Lopez, professor of public health education and dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Charles W. Mason, professor of journalism; Ned Rozell, science writer; Matt Seymour, executive officer; Margaret B. Short, associate professor of statistics; and Charles Sean Asikłuk Topkok, professor of curriculum and instruction.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are Aġnik Polly Schaeffer and Vera Kingeekuk Metcalf. Bruce Cech, Maurice “Morris” McGinty, Lisa Putnam and Jack Wilbur will receive Meritorious Service Awards.

Honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients, emeriti, the student speaker and student award winners will be celebrated at the Gold Ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. in the Davis Concert Hall on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks. UAF’s hooding ceremony, which honors graduates earning doctoral degrees, will take place at the same event.

On Saturday, the Carlson Center will be open for guest seating at 11 a.m., and the processional will begin at 1 p.m. The event will stream live on the and the .

Class of 2026 profile

The following provides a snapshot of the UAF 2026 graduating class. These are preliminary numbers, current as of April 28, 2026. Final statistics will not be available until early September.

• 1,263 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1,102 students:
• 58 occupational endorsements
• 189 certificates
• 216 associate degrees
• 491 bachelor’s degrees
• 223 master’s degrees
• 38 doctorates
• 48 recommendations for education licensure

2026 commencement schedule

The following is a schedule of commencement activities.

Friday, May 1

Gold Ceremony — 5:30 p.m., Davis Concert Hall

This ceremony celebrates honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients, emeriti, student speaker and student award winners, and graduates earning doctoral degrees.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for guest seating.

The Gold Ceremony will be streamed on the .

Saturday, May 2

All events are at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. The ceremony will last approximately 2-3 hours. Commencement will stream on the and the .

11 a.m. — Doors open for guest seating.

12:30 p.m. — Graduates, stage party and faculty line up.

1 p.m. — Academic procession begins; ceremony follows.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Kristin Summerlin, klsummerlin01@alaska.edu, 907-474-6284

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