Know Before You Go: Commencement 2026
Students shaking hands at the 2025 University-wide Commencement ceremony. Photo credit to Kelly and Massa Photography.
Commencement is nearly here for Drexel University’s Class of 2026. Most celebrations will take place around the city from June 10–12, including a University-wide celebration at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia. This guide can help you plan for the big celebration, but you can find more detailed information on the Commencement website.
And if you need a pick-me-up, the Class of 2026 voted on their annual official beverage, now available at the Pret a Manger on the University City Campus. This year, it’s a strawberry lemonade.
When is my college or school ceremony?
College and school ceremonies will go from June 10–12 and be held at the Highmark Mann Center in Fairmount Park, the Academy of Music on south Broad Street and Mandell Theater on Drexel’s University City Campus. Speakers at the ceremonies include alumni and industry leaders.
Wednesday, June 10:
- College of Computing & Informatics, 10 a.m., Highmark Mann Center
- School of Education, 12:30 p.m., Academy of Music
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, 2 p.m., Highmark Mann Center
- Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, 2 p.m., Mandell Theater
- Goodwin College of Professional Studies, 5 p.m., Mandell Theater
Thursday, June 11:
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business and School of Economics, 8:30 a.m., Highmark Mann Center
- Pennoni Honors College: Custom-Designed Major, 8:30 a.m., Mandell Theater
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health, 8:30 a.m., Academy of Music
- College of Arts and Sciences, 12:30 p.m., Highmark Mann Center
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems, 12:30 p.m., Academy of Music
Friday, June 12:
- College of Engineering, 8:30 a.m., Highmark Mann Center
- Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, 12:30 p.m., Highmark Mann Center
When is the University-wide ceremony?
The Class of 2026 and their guests will gather at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, June 11, for a ceremony that starts at 5 p.m. Alumna and Planetary Protection Lead of the Mars rover Perseverance Moogega “Moo” Cooper, MS ’08, PhD ’09, will be the 2026 keynote speaker. Cooper works for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a supervisor for a group tasked with protecting solar system bodies from earth-sourced contaminants.
What other events should I attend?
President Antonio Merlo, PhD, will kick off the Commencement celebrations with the President’s Toast at 4 p.m. on June 8 in Main Building. Graduating Dragons will gather for a toast in their honor and a warm welcome into the alumni community. Following the toast, attendees will gather on the Great Court steps for a class photo.
If you’re a Pennoni Honors Program student, make sure to get tickets for the Honors Medallion Ceremony, held at 5 p.m. on June 10 at the Academy of Music. The dress code is business casual (so don’t wear your cap and gown)!
How can my loved ones watch/see/attend Commencement?
Graduates are guaranteed four tickets for their college or school ceremony and seven for the University-wide ceremony (one of these seven will be to get yourself into the ceremony). You should’ve picked these up at the Graduation Fair, but if you didn’t attend, you can pick them up in Main Building’s Suite 220 until June 5.
Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on the Commencement website.
What do I need to know for Commencement?
Make sure you have all your regalia, including cap, gown, cords and stoles (and maybe take some graduation photos, too). When you’re heading to your ceremony, plan to arrive about an hour before the college or school celebration and about 90 minutes before the University-wide celebration. Take note of where to go when you arrive, as it’s different for each venue; guests will also enter through different areas than graduates.
Grads and guests should take note of banned items like selfie sticks, food, drinks, noisemakers, posters and more. At Citizens Bank Park, where the University-wide ceremony is held, guests may only bring diaper bags, medical bags, small clear bags or clutch bags or fanny packs smaller than 5”x7”. Ceremonies go on rain or shine, too.
Who do I go to if I have questions?
You can check the Commencement FAQ page, email commencement@drexel.edu or reach out to specific contacts.