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Photos: The Class of 2026 turns the page

Family, friends, at least one beloved pet celebrated with the new graduates during three joyful days of Commencement exercises.
An MIT graduate in PhD graduation regalia smiles brightly as she crosses the street and holds a bouquet of flowers.
The 2026 Commencement celebrations spanned three days filled with degree ceremonies, receptions, and reunions, at locations spread across campus.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Cheered on by the greater MIT community, members of the Class of 2026 were honored this week for the hard work that earned them their newly minted MIT degrees.

The 2026 Commencement celebrations spanned three days filled with degree ceremonies, receptions, and reunions, at locations spread across campus. The weather ranged widely, but spirits remained high even as Wednesday’s sunny, selfie-perfect weather gave way to some rain later in the week.

Advanced Micro Devices chair and CEO Lisa Su ’90, SM ’91, PhD ’94 gave the Commencement address at the OneMIT ceremony for all graduates, held Thursday. Undergraduates crossed the stage during their own ceremony on Friday, and throughout the three-day celebration, MIT’s five schools and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing each held ceremonies to recognize their graduate students. Friday also kicked off a weekend of Tech Reunions.

As Institute Professor and School of Engineering Dean Paula Hammond told graduate students earning degrees from her school and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, “What makes MIT special isn’t just what happens underneath this dome. What makes MIT special is you.”

The following photo essay provides a snapshot of MIT Commencement activities throughout the week. (Additional recaps/photo collections are available for the School of Architecture and Planning, School of Engineering/MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, and School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences).

A PhD graduate throws his hat up while waiting for the event to start
Wednesday marked a high point for weather this week as students enjoyed a pristine day for the School of Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing Advanced Degree Ceremony on Killian Court.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Five marine graduates smile during graduation ceremony.
Members of the Class of 2026 took time to soak in the moment together during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Michelle Quien holds her dog while waiting in line.
Graduates celebrated their accomplishments in the company of proud parents, family members, friends — and at least one pet sporting a homemade gown of his own.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Paula Hammond hands a diploma to a grad.
Paula Hammond, the dean of MIT’s School of Engineering, made sure students enjoyed the moment as she handed over advanced degrees during Wednesday’s festivities.
Credit: Jake Belcher

A family cheers on their graduate
Proud family members didn’t let the sun, rain, heat, or any other element stop them from capturing the occasion during a quintessential Boston weather week as graduates took their seats at the center of Killian Court.
Credit: Jake Belcher

A graduate receives their diploma on stage and poses with faculty member in regalia.
The advanced degree ceremony for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences brought the festivities indoors, where beaming graduates and faculty made up for the storm clouds rolling through Cambridge.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Graduation ceremony taking place at Kresge auditorium while audience of graduates watch
Caps, gowns, and a little theatrical lighting set the scene for the School of Architecture and Planning’s advanced degree ceremony in Kresge Auditorium Thursday.
Credit: Justin Knight

Nergis Mavalvala speaks at podium while surrounded by faculty members in regalia on stage.
Graduates also took center stage at Kresge for the School of Science advanced degree ceremony Thursday.
Credit: Steph Stevens

Graduates wear ponchos and one takes a photo
Members of the Class of 2026 found openings to snap selfies during the main event of the week: Thursday’s OneMIT Commencement Ceremony involving graduates from every degree program across MIT.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Alumni wear red coats and ponchos
As always, commencement doubled as a 50-year reunion for MIT alumni. Here, members of MIT’s Class of 1976 enter Killian Court.
Credit: Jake Belcher

The procession with Boston skyline
The sky opened up enough for MIT’s ceremonial mace to make a grand entrance with MIT leadership to start the OneMIT Commencement Ceremony Thursday afternoon.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Heba Hussein speaks at podium during MIT commencement.
Class of 2026 President Heba Hussein delivered a hopeful salute from the undergraduate students during the proceedings.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Sally Kornbluth speaks at the podium
“Every one of you here possesses uncommon talent, and with great talent comes great responsibility,” President Sally Kornbluth told graduates at the OneMIT ceremony. “I have no doubt that, like our alumni, you will be top-flight performers in your fields… But I hope we also hold, together, another core value — the commitment to always act ethically, with integrity, and with consideration for our fellow human beings.”
Credit: Jake Belcher

Graduates fist pump with their brass rat rings.
Graduates took the time to fist bump with their newly-turned Brass Rats, MIT’s class ring, at the end of the ceremony.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Anantha Chandrakasan takes a selfie photo with group of MIT graduates.
MIT Provost Anantha Chandrakasan took a selfie with students and faculty following the ceremony.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Ten graduates pose for portrait in their graduation regalia.
Graduates from every School and College celebrated together on Killian Court after the ceremony, with plenty of smiles to go around.
Credit: Jake Belcher

Grads walk in sunshine and bubbles
Students also got sun during Friday morning’s Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, where diplomas were presented by the School and College deans on stage at Killian Court.
Credit: Gretchen Ertl

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