Commencement 2026 is about to commence!

by Nate Ehmke

Congratulations to the parents, families, and loved ones of the Nebraska Wesleyan University class of 2026! Commencement is a joyful milestone not only for our graduates, but also for those who have supported them throughout their journey. We are honored to celebrate this achievement with you. 

We welcome you to Abel Stadium for Commencement on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. We invite families to join us for additional traditions throughout the morning, including Final Walk at 8:40 and Baccalaureate at 9. 

Commencement will feature plenty of seating in the stadium and on the field, with designated areas for guests with mobility or accessibility needs. 

Bring a reusable water bottle for water stations around the stadium. We’ll have complimentary snacks at the concession stand during the ceremony. 

We’re pleased to partner with The Commencement Group, which offers families the opportunity to purchase celebratory flowers and graduation bears for their graduates. You can order items in advance or purchase them at the stadium entrance on Commencement Day. 

In the event of severe weather, we’ll move the ceremony indoors to O’Donnell Auditorium, where each graduate will receive two guest tickets due to the limited seating. We’ll make overflow viewing available via livestream at First United Methodist Church on 50th and St. Paul Avenue. 

For parking details, the full schedule, and additional planning information, please visit our Commencement webpage. 

We’re excited to join you on campus as we celebrate your graduate’s remarkable achievements!

Nate Ehmke is alumni engagement and event coordinator.