Stanislaus State to Celebrate the Class of 2026 During its 66th Commencement Ceremonies

Stanislaus State will celebrate the Class of 2026 during the University's 66th Commencement ceremonies beginning Tuesday, May 26, at the University Amphitheatre in Turlock.

Approximately 2,895 degree candidates and 273 credential students are expected to participate in this year's ceremonies. Preliminary data indicate the Class of 2026 includes 2,487 bachelor's recipients, 398 earning master's degrees and 10 doctoral graduates.

Many are first-generation college students, underscoring the University's continued impact across the Central Valley. Candidates represent communities throughout California and countries including Mexico, India, Korea, Bangladesh and Croatia. The youngest degree candidate is 19 years old, while the oldest is 77.

President Britt Rios-Ellis said Commencement celebrates not only academic achievement, but the generations of dreams, hope, and sacrifice carried into this moment.

"For many of our graduates, this milestone represents dreams that began generations ago, long before they arrived at Stan State," Rios-Ellis said. "Their achievements will create both possibilities and new trajectories for their families, their communities, and future generations across the Central Valley and beyond."

All Commencement ceremonies begin at 8 a.m. at the University Amphitheatre. The ceremony schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 26 - College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Wednesday, May 27 - College of Science
• Thursday, May 28 - College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work
• Friday, May 29 - College of Business Administration

All ceremonies will be livestreamed, with viewing links available on the University's Commencement webpage.

Student Voices and Academic Honors

The following students will speak during this year's Commencement ceremonies:

• Cheyanne Gaines, College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Samone Satleen Singh, College of Science
• Jazmine Alexis Ramirez, College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work
• Yasin Ayiat, College of Business Administration

Several students also will be recognized for outstanding academic achievement.

Jelaine Joy Gonzales Esguerra, a psychology major from the College of Science, is this year's recipient of the J. Burton Vasché Award, the University's highest honor for a graduating senior.

Neevada Slaiwah Al Kuba, a liberal studies major from the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work; Ava Marie McCullough, a child development major from the College of Science; and Kayla Lynn Stephan, a communication studies major from the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, are this year's Metzger-Geiger Award recipients, recognizing the graduating students with the highest undergraduate grade point averages based solely on coursework completed at Stanislaus State.

Honoring a Modesto Native and Advocate for Justice Reform

The University also will confer an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Jacque Wilson, a Stan State alumnus, public defender and advocate for justice reform, during the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ceremony on Tuesday, May 26.

Wilson earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Stan State in 1997 and serves as a senior attorney in the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, where he has mentored hundreds of students interested in careers in law and public service.

Additional information, including ceremony schedules, livestream links, ticketing and parking details, is available on the University's Commencement website.