Commencement 2026 at the State University of New York at Fredonia will include ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Steele Hall arena,

The ceremonies combine undergraduate as well as master’s degree and advanced certificate graduates.

SUNY Fredonia will have live streaming video of both Commencement ceremonies. There will be a link to connect from the university’s home page at https://www.fredonia.edu

The keynote speakers are alumni including Jim Ranney, ’88, who is Director of Communications and Senior Advisor to New York State Senator Patrick Gallivan for the morning ceremony, and for the afternoon ceremony, Craig A. Harris, ’98, Vice President of Development, Catholic Health System.

University Council Chair Frank Pagano will offer greetings at both ceremonies, and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Judith Horowitz will guide the ceremonies. Senior Class President Hana Gist will speak at both ceremonies and the Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation will be awarded Julia Skiba of Troy, NY, during the morning ceremony. SUNY Fredonia alumnus Reginal Spiller will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree during the morning ceremony, conferred by SUNY Trustee Eunice Lewin.

Opening Reflection readers include graduate degree candidates Kassidy Kovac and Hannah Rich. SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association Board member Shawn Buffum and President Christine Zimmerman Starks will welcome the graduates to the Fredonia Alumni Association.

Music groups performing include the Commencement Wind Symphony and Commencement Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Senior Lecturer Donna Dolson and Dr. Paula Holcomb, and the Fredonia Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Vernon Huff. Candidates for graduation Lucas West will sing the national anthem at the morning ceremony, and Mia Sorgi, at the afternoon ceremony.