The Class of 2026 returned to the Lawn to celebrate their final days as students of the University and years of work towards graduation. These final days — aptly known as Final Exercises — included the Academic Procession, Valedictory Exercises, various schools’ graduation ceremonies and a keynote speech by President Emeritus Jim Ryan.
The three-day celebration began Friday with Valedictory Exercises and a fourth-year class party, and Academic Processions took place Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the School of Education and Human Development walked the Lawn and heard a speech delivered by Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer.
Class of 2026 graduates from the School of Architecture, the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Darden School of Business, the School of Data Science, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Law, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing proceeded down the Lawn Sunday. Associate Professor of Commerce Sherri Moore addressed Sunday’s graduates.
Saturday’s Academic Procession
In the Academic Procession Saturday, soon-to-be University graduates walk the Lawn one last time as students — each holding a unique combination of mylar balloons that are eventually donated to U.Va. Health’s Children’s Hospital — among a crowd of family and friends celebrating their accomplishments. During the procession, University President Scott Beardsley officially conferred the Class of 2026’s degrees and named them graduates of the University.
Beardsley opened the procession by welcoming the graduates and sharing some notable characteristics about the class. According to Beardsley, the oldest graduate in the Class of 2026 is 73 years old, and the youngest graduates are 19 years old. Additionally, he highlighted the many students within the class who are graduating in two or three years, as well as the students who returned to school to pursue their degrees following service in the Armed Forces.
Beardsley closed his remarks by stating his profound confidence in the Class of 2026 and highlighting their ability to improve the world in the same way they improved the University during their time on Grounds.
“Your courage and resilience, your care for one another, your joy … your zeal for life and learning have lifted up our community every step of the way,” Beardsley said. “You're entering a world that will continue to test your courage, your compassion, your intellect and your joy, but I have no doubt that you are up for the challenge.”
Following Beardsley’s opening remarks, Board of Visitors Rector Carlos Brown gave an introductory speech, encouraging students to “show up,” “speak up,” “step up” and “stand up” as they leave Grounds and begin working as leaders in the world.
Brown said to “show up” is to embrace life and be present. He said that being in the room where decisions are made — for example, in laboratories, boardrooms and in nonprofit spaces — will allow graduates to implement meaningful change in their community, professions and other organizations. Brown also said that students must contribute their ideas to better the places they live and the institutions they are a part of.
Lastly, Brown encouraged students to stand up for themselves, even when faced with failure, to continue to push for personal and societal betterment.
“Remember that success is just another name for failure when you didn't quit. So don't be afraid to fail. Aim high in your pursuit of excellence, never settle or tolerate low expectations,” Brown said. “Each of you is greatness waiting to be realized. I know this because you now are one of us, a graduate of the University of Virginia, and it is an honor to have you join the fold. You have worn the honor of honors.”
After his speech, Brown introduced Bonner as the Finals Address speaker. Bonner opened his speech with a rhythmically delivered series of remarks that gained significant praise from the graduates and their guests. His introductory remarks highlighted aspects of his life both before and after joining the University community in 2024.
“I'm just a guy from the east side of Cleveland, Ohio … I'm first generation and limited [income], and I appreciate a good run, like with Forrest and Jim,” Bonner said. “Still inspired to be number one, like Gretchen Walsh, I moved from PA to VA … I'm outside on the Corner like Coupe’s and drop bars like Coach Bennett did hoops … See, I came to U.Va. two years ago after 20 years of deep sentiments. However, today, I'm here to talk to you about blueprints.”
His introductory remarks led into the central theme of his speech — blueprints — in the sense of establishing intellectual ideas and institutional beliefs to guide their futures. He specifically mentioned the blueprints for higher education that Thomas Jefferson established for the University, but he was quick to mention the flaws that exist within them.
“Thomas Jefferson had blueprints … the blueprint of a public university based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind,” Bonner said. “Graduates, you symbolize the possibilities of Jefferson's blueprint, even if he did not envision you as a probability. However, I believe there is such a thing as a divine blueprint beyond any one mind, one that exceeds the limits that Jefferson himself could not overcome.”
Bonner then encouraged graduates to create a personal blueprint for guidance past college and into the rest of their lives. Bonner said these blueprints should contain three components — “resilience, a sense of duty and hope” — and finalized his speech by encouraging graduates to continue to leave places better than they found them.
“You are leaving U.Va. better than you found it, and as you continue along your journey in life and ascend to great heights in all of your endeavors, please do not forget to reach back and lift others as you climb,” Bonner said. “May your spirits be in accord with your voices, and most importantly, your actions. Graduates, consider what's in your life's blueprint.”
The Academic Procession concluded with Beardsley conferring degrees upon the graduates and with one final iteration of “The Good Old Song.”
Valedictory Exercises
Valedictory Exercises took place Friday afternoon, preceding the Academic Procession. The exercises include the presentation of the Class Gift, various University awards and Ryan as the keynote speaker. Valedictory Exercises are organized by the Fourth-Year Trustees — the group of fourth-years who plan events for their class and for Valedictory Exercises, select the valedictory speaker and organize the day’s program.
The event was held at John Paul Jones Arena this year — a location reflective of where the Class of 2026 started when their convocation was moved to JPJ from the Lawn four years ago.
The core theme of Ryan’s speech was to encourage students to “do the right thing always.” Ryan said he believes that doing the right thing comes down to following your values even when it does not always provide personal benefit or gain.
“If I had to boil it down to its essence, I believe that doing the right thing means living your values, even when it's hard and even when no one is looking, and it means making choices that are not about your personal gain, but instead about someone else, or something bigger than yourself — a community, a cause [or] a principle,” Ryan said.
Ryan said that acting in the right way can sometimes be very easy, but it can also be very difficult. He said that it can also put someone at a disadvantage in the short run but that they will ultimately be better off in the long run if they “refuse to compromise [their] principles.”
Ryan concluded his speech by saying that he has full confidence that graduates will be able to do the right thing because they have demonstrated doing so during their entire time at the University. He specifically mentioned services the Class of 2026 helped to amplify, such as improving the Cavalier Food Pantry and establishing the Cavalier Career Closet as examples of their commitment to providing positively to their community.
“Many of you told me that you hope to leave U.Va. better than you found it, and guess what, together you have done exactly that,” Ryan said. “You have my deepest thanks. Thank you for doing the right thing over and again. Keep doing just that always,”
Annie Zhao, Class of 2026 vice president and Class of 2026 alumna, opened Valedictory Exercises. During her speech, Zhao reflected on the many memories the Class of 2026 has made together over the past four years and encouraged all of them to take the coming Finals Exercises weekend slowly.
“Valediction is a time to recognize members who have made a lasting impact on this University, and today we'll have the chance to celebrate some truly incredible members of our class,” Zhao said. “Today is also about reflection and stepping into what is next, so as we begin, I'd like for us all to keep this in mind. Be present, because this weekend will move fast.”
Following Zhao’s speech, a series of awards were presented to the Class of 2026. Some of these awards include Louis A. Onesty Memorial Award — an award provided to a student-athlete who is committed to the betterment of not only themselves and their teams but the entire University community — which was awarded to Myles Plummer, Class of 2026 alumnus and track and field athlete.
Additionally, the James Earle Sargeant Award — an award provided to a student organization dedicated to enriching both the University community and broader Charlottesville community — was presented to Bridges to Learning. Bridges to Learning is a student group that partners with the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail to provide tutoring services to incarcerated individuals who are pursuing their General Educational Development credentials.
Lastly, the Gordon F. Rainey Jr. Award for Vigilance to the Student Experience — an award presented by the Society of the Purple Shadows to recognize individuals “whose dedication to students has left a profound and lasting mark on the University community” — was presented to former Assoc. Commerce Prof. Carrie Heilman. Carrie Heilman’s son, Class of 2026 alumnus Matthew Heilman, presented the award to his late mother, alongside a speech commemorating her commitment to University students. Carrie Heilman passed earlier this year following a year-long fight with cancer.
Matthew Heilman reflected on Carrie Heilman’s commitment to students by outlining her work with student-athletes by serving on the name, image and likeness committee — NIL compensation allows student-athletes to be compensated for third parties using their name and image — and her continued support for transferring student-athletes. He closed his speech by discussing how she will remain long remembered for her impact on the University.
“Her memory will remain in the gladdened hearts of many. Grief, although painful, is a melancholic reminder of the deep and intimate love,” Matthew Heilman said. “The sincere sadness felt by students, colleagues, friends and family of her passing is a reminder that life is not only measured by years, but by the relationships you built.”
Following the presentation of awards, Beardsley received the Class Gift — the Class of 2026 raised $58,714 through student donations. The Class Gift is a tradition where fourth-years donate back to the various parts of the University that mean the most to them, which includes individual schools, scholarships or Contracted Independent Organizations.
Keoni Vega, Class of 2026 president and Class of 2026 alumnus, spoke after Beardsley accepted the gift. In his speech, Vega highlighted the resilience the Class has demonstrated throughout their time at the University amidst turmoil experienced over the past four years.
“You have grown increasingly familiar with our school's name being in national headlines,” Vega said. “And despite that, for the vast majority of us in this room, we love this University more than we could possibly say, more than I could even try to say in a five-minute speech.”
Vega said he believes the maintenance of time-honored traditions at the University — such as student self-governance — has been a defining characteristic of the Class of 2026.
“I firmly believe that the world craves people who bring their own perspective, who reimagine the old people, who reinvigorate the outdated. Class of 2026, that is our mandate,” Vega said. “We've done it here at U.Va., and after this weekend, it's up to us to accept that mandate and bring our own perspectives, reimagine traditions and leave your mark on whatever your next chapter will be.”
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