Watch live: The May 2026 UK Commencement Ceremonies
Watch the Friday, May 8 ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/live/SRaePz7y-yU?si=qfZtCBwBj0WKcG7e
(9 a.m. ceremony begins at 20:07; 2 p.m. ceremony begins at 3;26:50; and 6 p.m. ceremony begins at 6:53:10).
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2026) — Today and tomorrow, the University of Kentucky will host its largest-ever Commencement, with a record number of both ceremony participants and degree candidates.
More than 4,800 graduates are registered to participate across four ceremonies taking place May 8 and 9, in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Overall, 6,693 May degree candidates were approved by the UK Board of Trustees. This includes 4,427 undergraduate, 1,526 graduate and 740 professional degree candidates.*
Ceremonies include:
9 a.m. Friday, May 8
- College of Design
- Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- College of Nursing
2 p.m. Friday, May 8
- College of Social Work
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Public Health
- College of Communication and Information
6 p.m. Friday, May 8
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Pharmacy
- Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
- Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce
- Gatton College of Business and Economics
9 a.m. Saturday, May 9
All four ceremonies will be livestreamed on UK’s YouTube channel, which will be accessible this weekend via the UK Commencement website and on UKNow.
Grad Gathering
The UK Alumni Association will host receptions for the graduates and their families in Club C of the Rupp Arena lower level. After graduates cross the stage, they are encouraged to come down with their families and enjoy free refreshments, photo opportunities, gifts and prizes. More information is available online.
Honorary degree
Malcolm J. Wilson, documentary photographer, educator and storyteller, will receive an honorary degree — the university’s highest honor — during the 6 p.m. Friday, May 8 ceremony.
An Appalachian native, Wilson has dedicated his life’s work to ensuring that the region’s people are seen, heard and represented with dignity, authenticity and respect. Through this work, he has reached audiences across the country and around the world, challenging misconceptions about the region and amplifying voices long overlooked.
Wilson will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts. Learn more about Wilson in this previous UKNow story.
Speakers
UK President Eli Capilouto will give remarks at each ceremony, followed by a speech from a student representative of the May 2026 class.
The four speakers include:
- Mostafa Mubarak, from Alexandria, Egypt, graduating with three bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science from the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. He will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.
- Maria Carolina Burn, from Downers Grove, Illinois, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communication from the UK College of Communication and Information, with minors in business and Spanish. She is also a student in Lewis Honors College. She will deliver the student address at the 2 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.
- Siena Pilati, from North Canton, Ohio, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and a certificate in artificial intelligence. Pilati, also a Lewis Honors College student, will deliver the student address at the 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.
- Fatimah Alomar, from Lexington, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in biology and neuroscience from the UK College of Arts and Sciences. She will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, ceremony. Alomar is also a Singletary Scholar and Lewis Honors College student.
Read more about the May 2026 student speakers.
During each ceremony, the university will continue its tradition of presenting in memoriam degrees to honor the memory of students who have died and the impact they made during their time at UK. With family consent, one in memoriam degree will be announced and accepted on behalf of their families and loved ones.
Full video of each ceremony will be available after Commencement on the university’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/universityofkentucky.
Social media users are encouraged to use the hashtag #UKgrad.
For more information about UK Commencement, visit commencement.uky.edu.
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*These numbers reflect degree candidates, not individual graduates (some graduates earn more than one degree, thereby being counted as a degree candidate multiple times). Degrees will be certified by the UK registrar, ensuring individuals have satisfactorily completed all requirements. The most up-to-date information is available through UK and Institutional Research, Analytics and Decision Support.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.