{"id":21756,"date":"2026-05-18T07:25:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T11:25:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=21756"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:07:39","slug":"purdue-celebrates-over-10000-graduates-for-second-consecutive-year-at-spring-commencement-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q2\/purdue-celebrates-over-10000-graduates-for-second-consecutive-year-at-spring-commencement-ceremonies","title":{"rendered":"Purdue celebrates over 10,000 graduates for second consecutive year at spring commencement ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/president\/spring-2026-commencement-remarks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">President Mung Chiang\u2019s keynote address<\/a> and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IfqN6K5oXfk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video of his speech<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/purduenews.exposure.co\/2026-spring-commencement\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q2\/purdue-university-confers-drew-brees-and-tim-cahill-with-honorary-doctorates-at-spring-ceremonies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spring 2026 Commencement photo gallery<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@PurdueUniversityNews\/streams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue commencement livestreams<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q2\/purdue-university-confers-drew-brees-and-tim-cahill-with-honorary-doctorates-at-spring-ceremonies\/\">Purdue awards honorary doctorates to two distinguished Boilermaker alumni<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 More than 10,000 Purdue University graduates took their next giant leap during nine spring commencement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/\">ceremonies<\/a> May 14-16 at Elliott Hall of Music. This marked the second consecutive year the university has surpassed 10,000 graduates during spring commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Class of 2026 in spring, the largest to date for Purdue\u2019s main campus (West Lafayette, Indianapolis and online), included 7,748 undergraduates, 2,296 graduate students, 268 students from professional programs and 90 students from Purdue Polytechnic Institute\u2019s statewide programs. This December, Purdue will also conduct a winter commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per Purdue tradition, President Mung Chiang presided over the Thursday through Saturday ceremonies and delivered the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/president\/spring-2026-commencement-remarks\/\">spring commencement speech<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2e13466c wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brees-Bullard-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21767\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brees-Bullard-2.jpg 876w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brees-Bullard-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brees-Bullard-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Drew Brees received an honorary doctorate during Division IX of Purdue\u2019s spring commencement ceremonies held May 14-16. (Purdue University\/Becky Robi\u00f1os)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cahill-commencement-awarded.jpg\" alt=\"Tim Cahill is awarded an honorary doctorate onstage.\" class=\"wp-image-21734\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cahill-commencement-awarded.jpg 876w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cahill-commencement-awarded-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cahill-commencement-awarded-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tim Cahill received an honorary doctorate during one of Purdue\u2019s spring commencement ceremonies. (Purdue University photo\/Kelsey Lefever).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The university also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q2\/purdue-university-confers-drew-brees-and-tim-cahill-with-honorary-doctorates-at-spring-ceremonies\/\">recognized two alumni with honorary doctorates<\/a>. Drew Brees \u2014 legendary quarterback, entrepreneur and philanthropist \u2014 received an honorary Doctor of Business from the Mitch Daniels School of Business during Saturday\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/vUv7D5juiYE?si=6L7oj6N_LrjeGA-i\">Division IX ceremony<\/a>. Tim Cahill, president of Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) for Lockheed Martin Corp., received an honorary Doctor of Engineering from the College of Engineering during Thursday\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/QYHGDfS496Y?si=TmQXs8X5Tfdw5_LM\">Division I ceremony<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ceremonies were livestreamed on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@PurdueUniversityNews\/streams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue News YouTube<\/a>&nbsp;channel and linked on the Purdue&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commencement website<\/a>.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/purduenews.exposure.co\/2026-spring-commencement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">photo gallery<\/a>&nbsp;is also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"876\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graduatewithdiploma.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21754\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graduatewithdiploma.jpg 876w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graduatewithdiploma-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/graduatewithdiploma-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A graduating student beams at the Elliott Hall audience, holding their diploma high as they cross the stage. (Purdue University photo\/Rebecca Robi\u00f1os)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Student responders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each ceremony featured a student responder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tanmaee Ledalla of Hyderabad, India, who received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering, was the student responder in the Thursday morning (Division I) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evelyn McCarthy of Columbus, Ohio, who received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the College of Engineering, was the student responder in the Thursday afternoon (Division II) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nehemiah Boyd of Indianapolis, who received a Bachelor of Science in neurobiology and physiology from the College of Science, was the student responder in the Thursday evening (Division III) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lucas Lyons of Portland, Indiana, who received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education from the College of Agriculture, was the student responder in the Friday morning (Division IV) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raja Ali of Indianapolis, who received a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the College of Science, was the student responder in the Friday afternoon (Division V) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harrison Kane of New Albany, Indiana, who received a Bachelor of Science in professional flight technology from Purdue Polytechnic Institute, was the student responder in the Friday evening (Division VI) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isabella Tobin of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, who received a Doctor of Pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy, was the student responder in the Saturday morning (Division VII) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cord Billings of Lafayette, who received a Bachelor of Science in human services from the College of Health and Human Sciences, was the student responder in the Saturday afternoon (Division VIII) ceremony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Filippa Rodriguez, who has resided in both Italy and Colombia and received a Bachelor of Science in business analytics and information management, was the student responder in the Saturday evening (Division IX) ceremony.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Purdue University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue\u2019s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap \u2014 including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative \u2014 at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/president\/strategic-initiatives\">https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/president\/strategic-initiatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Media contact:<\/strong> Trevor Peters, <a href=\"mailto:peter237@purdue.edu\">peter237@purdue.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 More than 10,000 Purdue University graduates took their next giant leap during nine spring commencement ceremonies May 14-16 at Elliott Hall of Music. This marked the second consecutive year the university has surpassed 10,000 graduates during<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":21755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"department":[],"source":[29],"purdue_today_topic":[],"coauthors":[236],"class_list":["post-21756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","source-purdue-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21756"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22315,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21756\/revisions\/22315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21756"},{"taxonomy":"department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/department?post=21756"},{"taxonomy":"source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/source?post=21756"},{"taxonomy":"purdue_today_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purdue_today_topic?post=21756"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=21756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}