Graduation and Commencement
Everything you need to know about Brooklyn College Commencement.
2026 Commencement Program
May 28, 2026, 9 a.m., Barclays Center
Faculty, School, and College Leadership Procession
The National Anthem
Chisom Maduakor, ’26
Members of the Harlem Chamber Players
Ravi Best, Trumpet
Eric Davis, French Horn
Jason Jackson, Trombone
Hugo Moreno, Trumpet
Marcus Rojas, Tuba
Musical Director
George Rothman, Professor, Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn College
President’s Address
Michelle J. Anderson, President, Brooklyn College
Acknowledgments and Special Greetings
Valedictory Address
Emersen Bribiesca ’26, Valedictorian, Brooklyn College
Presidential Medal of Honor
Cecillia D. Wang, National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Melissa Erica Murray, Professor of Law, New York University School of Law
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Patrick Gaspard, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa
Alma Mater
Jazmin Luna, ’26
Harlem Chamber Players
Student Procession
Conferral of Degrees
Michelle J. Anderson, President, Brooklyn College
Resources
Commencement knowledgebase
Everything you need to know about Commencement.
Commencement Checklist
Review the checklist carefully and make note of the stated deadlines.
Senior Photos and Broeklundian
Information on senior photos and yearbook can be found on the checklist.
Contact Us
2113 Boylan Hall
Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
P: 718.951.5352
The Difference between Commencement and Graduation
Commencement and graduation are not the same. In order to participate in Commencement, you need to have filed for graduation by the deadline for the included semesters. In order to “graduate” and receive your diploma, you have to pass all your classes and meet your degree requirements. Spring and summer graduates are invited to participate in Commencement even though their final grades or requirements are not complete. This means that we do not wait to see if students passed their classes or actually met all their requirements to allow them to participate in Commencement. You simply have to file for graduation by the deadline for the included semesters.
About The Office of Graduation Initiatives and Commencement Planning
The Office of Graduation Initiatives and Commencement Planning is to coordinate the annual college-wide Commencement and ensure that graduating students pursue the necessary steps to maneuver commencement-related processes in order to participate in Commencement. The office facilitates a smooth transition to Commencement by encouraging students to file for graduation, providing graduation portraits, promoting the college yearbook, administering ticket reservation, distributing tickets, and coordinating the purchase and distribution of academic regalia. In addition, the office is dedicated to cultivating Commencement as an experience by facilitating events to celebrate our graduates.