Class of 2026 caps a weekend of celebration at Final Exercises

May 17, 2026
Collage of photos showing multiple groups of graduating students at Final Exercises 2026

Over 8,000 of the newest University of Virginia graduates wear the honors of Honor at Sunday’s Final Exercises. (Photos by Lathan Goumas, University Communications; Matt Riley, University Communications)

For their last time as University of Virginia students, nearly 4,000 members of the Class of 2026 walked the Lawn Sunday, bringing Final Exercises weekend to a close.

Students from the School of Medicine, School of Law, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Darden School of Business, School of Architecture, School of Nursing, McIntire School of Commerce, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and School of Data Science received their degrees on Sunday.

During two days of ceremonies, UVA conferred 8,053 degrees, including 4,797 undergraduate diplomas. For comprehensive coverage of the full weekend’s events, plus profiles of the Class of 2026 students, visit UVA Today’s Final Exercises page.

President Scott Beardsley speaking to the graduating class of 2026

UVA President Scott Beardsley addresses graduates from the podium at Sunday’s ceremony. He reminded the Class of 2026 that commonality is more productive than division and urged them to find “shared ground.” (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

McIntire School of Commerce associate professor Sherri Moore addressed graduates at Sunday’s ceremony, bringing out a physical road map as a prop for her speech. She told graduates that life isn’t clearly mapped out like GPS turn-by-turn directions.

“Sometimes the moments that disappoint us become the very moments that transform our lives,” she said. Moore closed with a simple instruction: “Enjoy the drive.”

In his remarks, UVA President Scott Beardsley urged graduates to seek connections across differences. Drawing on his career in which he worked across four continents, he argued that commonality is a more productive starting point than division.

Neha Jagasia as she processes the Lawn at Final Exercises 2026

McIntire School of Commerce graduate Neha Jagasia smiles on the Rotunda steps while waiting to line up to walk down the Lawn. Jagasia will move to Boston in August to begin a career in consulting. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

“After UVA, you will meet people who don’t look like you, speak like you, think like you or vote like you,” Beardsley said. “As you make your way, I urge you to remember this moment – and to seek shared ground.”

For McIntire School graduate Neha Jagasia, that shared ground was something she spent four years building.

“I’ve definitely gained more of a community during my time here,” she said. “It has allowed me to truly take on any ambition that I want and have the strength to approach anything and take risks.”

Discovery and Innovation: Daily research. Life-changing results.
Discovery and Innovation: Daily research. Life-changing results.

In August, Jagasia will move to Boston to begin her career at L.E.K. Consulting.

On Saturday, students from the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the School of Education and Human Development received their degrees.

Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, delivered Saturday’s keynote address, encouraging students to hold onto three principles: resilience, duty and hope.

“Graduates, let hope be both your compass and your anchor, guiding you forward and holding you steady in times of despair,” Bonner said.

Collage of three photos of the same two students posing together at different times.

At left, Destini Ruffner and Leah Winston smile on the Lawn as they ready for Saturday’s ceremonies. They were introduced via text before they moved to Grounds, and grew as friends and scholars through their four years at UVA. (Left photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications; other photos contributed)

Class of 2026 graduates Leah Winston and Destini Ruffer met through a mutual connection and formed a close friendship during their years at the University. They graduated Saturday with degrees in political and social thought. They said a defining part of their UVA experience was the UVA Black Voices Gospel Choir.

“That has really been my family at UVA, and watching it grow has been so much fun,” Winston said. “We’ve been able to build a culture of care and community, where we have bonding events and look forward to seeing each other.”

For Ruffner, leaving won’t be easy. “But I know we will visit,” she said.

Portrait of President Emeritus Jim Ryan to speak at Valedictory Exercises.

President Emeritus Jim Ryan speaks at Valedictory Exercises. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

The weekend’s festivities began on Friday with Valedictory Exercises, held at John Paul Jones Arena. The Class of 2026 invited President Emeritus Jim Ryan, who resigned last summer and will return to the UVA faculty after a sabbatical, to headline the event.

Ryan took a deliberately direct approach, acknowledging that speeches tend not to linger in people’s memories.

“Do the right thing. Always,” Ryan said. “My hope is that this simple message will stick with you and help strengthen your resolve whenever you face the question, as you have before and will again, of whether to do the right thing.”

Media Contacts

Mike Mather

Executive Editor University Communications

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