For many graduating seniors those first steps on campus feels as if they were just yesterday, yet fast forward to this Spring and many of those same wide-eyed freshmen who were experiencing life in Grand Forks for the first time are officially ready to take on the next step in this journey called life.
On Saturday, May 16, the Alerus Center located just outside Grand Forks will be hosting the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony for the class of 2026 new graduates. Prior to the main event at 2:00 pm, there will be a commencement social with beverages and refreshments at the Memorial Union.
Part of what makes this event so special is the fact that it symbolizes the culmination of years’ worth of hard work, personal growth, and perseverance. With the most outstanding students being recognized and celebrated for their achievements. Either receiving their degree with cum laude or summa cum laude honors directly translating from laten for “with praise” and “with highest praise” as students are often required to maintain high GPAs to meet these standards.
Looking forward to the day itself, it is a bittersweet experience as it does also officially mark the end of many students’ time at UND and their transition into the real world as they look for a job post-graduation. One thing they can take is that the hard work they put in towards attaining their college degree at UND will pay dividends and be worth it. As the median bachelor’s degree holders career future earnings equate to roughly a million dollars more versus individuals who only graduated high school.
Alongside with the countless opportunities to get involved in campus and highly specialized degrees and programs that are offered at the University of North Dakota, many members of the 2026 graduating class will be able to look forward to the future and apply the knowledge they learned at UND to their future professional endeavors.
Even if you yourself are not planning on graduating quite yet, but you have some upperclassmen friends that will be graduating this spring, you will be able to still attend the event and celebrate their achievements with them. Tickets are not required for the event, and guests will be able to enter the Alerus Center through doors 1 and 2 at the south end of the building.
This is an incredibly exciting time of the year as students across campus look forward towards the completion of finals and the 2025-2026 school year, and for some the conclusion of their college career at UND as they move on to embark on their professional journey outside of college.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daniel.a.[email protected].
