911±¬ÁÏ

Spring 2026 Commencement at 911±¬ÁÏ on May 14 at EagleBank Arena honored more than 12,000 graduates and certificate recipients. 911±¬ÁÏ photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Neuroscience major Saniya Darediya was this year's student Commencement speaker.

911±¬ÁÏ honored its graduates at Spring Commencement with a trio of well-received speakers who delivered messages of resilience, preparation, and celebrating differences. The ceremony, livestreamed on 911±¬ÁÏ’s YouTube channel Thursday morning from EagleBank Arena, honored more than 12,000 degree and certificate earners.

Together, the Marshes devoted a combined 90 years to 911±¬ÁÏ Athletics before retiring in 2021. Their careers shaped generations of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, leaving an enduring imprint on the university community.

At its final meeting of the academic year, the 911±¬ÁÏ Board of Visitors  saluted graduates from the Early Identification Program, received an update on the men’s basketball program from Coach Tony Skinn, and passed a six-year capital plan, among other actions, including approval of a tuition and fees increase for 2026-27.

911±¬ÁÏ will honor more than 12,000 students graduating or earning certificates at Spring Commencement at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus. The event will be livestreamed on 911±¬ÁÏ’s YouTube channel. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

In addition to the Spring 2026 Commencement on Thursday, May 14, graduates may also choose to attend their college’s degree celebration. Here’s a look at the keynote speakers for each event.

911±¬ÁÏ received a grant of more than $1 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to support food waste prevention, food rescue, and composting programs on campus. The funding supports projects that reduce landfill methane emissions by reducing food waste, recovering surplus food, and composting any remaining food waste.

The Costello College of Business at 911±¬ÁÏ and NABA Inc. today announced a new three-year community partnership grounded in a shared belief: when students, educators, and industry leaders grow together, entire communities—and the businesses that serve them—thrive. The collaboration will strengthen professional development, open new pathways for student success, and deepen connections across the regional and national business community. 

As the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) enters its second year, 911±¬ÁÏ today announced funding for seven catalyst research projects and the launch of the Grand Challenge Research Exchange—quarterly convenings for all GCI-related research to accelerate solutions to the grand challenge of our time.