Moments From Commencement 2026

These photos capture moments from the undergraduate ceremonies as members of the Class of 2026 celebrated the culmination of their Emerson experience.

By David Ertischek
The top of a mortar board says

From joyful celebrations and emotional embraces to caps tossed high above the crowd, Emerson College’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies marked a milestone for graduating students and their families. These photos capture moments from undergraduate ceremonies as members of the Class of 2026 celebrated the culmination of their Emerson experience and the beginning of their next chapter.

Photos by Derek Palmer, MA ’20, Jake Belcher, Dave Green, Luis Gerardo Del Razo Tamayo, MA ’26, Mike Spencer, and Chris McIntosh

A person lifts their hands in the air on stage
Graduates pose for a photo outside of the Wang Center
Five graduates hold up their diplomas for the cameraThree people give the I love you symbol with their hands
A person hugs another person, both in graduation gownsA recent grad with their parents
Students hug each other after graduatingFour students hug each other while smiling for the cameraA parent looks proudly at their studentStudents stand and smile together for a photo
Two students pose for a photo
Three students smile together after graduating
The mortar board of a cap shows Snoopy hitting a baseball
A sea of students throw their caps in the air
Three students smile and embrace each otherSeveral students move the tassel on their cap to the other side after graduatingStudents move their tassels to the other side of their capTwo alums cheerOne student is standing and cheeringA person holds her hands to her heartThe top of the cap
Four students pose for a photo while sitting and giving the thumbs up
Three students smile for the camera while sittingTwo people pose for a photo
A graduate with two people
Three graduates pose for a photo
Two graduates pose for a photo
A graduate with two people pose for a photo
Three people pose for a photo with their diplomas
A person smiles as they walk

 

A graduate smiles while walking on the sidewalk
A graduate gives the peace sign while holding flowers
A person with a puppet on their hand on stage
One person is excited after receiving their diploma on stage
Three people take a selfie
A person gives the peace sign
One person points at their diploma while walking through the Wang Center
Two people smile for the camera
Several graduates stand in a row
Several graduates stand in a row
Several people clap during the ceremony
A person exuberantly smiles for the camera
The top of a decorated mortarboard
  • Two people smile while crossing the street
  • Several people give thumbs up while walking outside in line
  • A person smiles at the camera
  • One person with a little doll on their cap
  • Two people pose for a photo
  • A Calvin and Hobbes comic on top of a mortar board
  • Two people stand for a photo
  • The top of a mortar boardThree people pose for a photo
  • One person smiles for a photo
  • Two people stand together with their diplomas
  • Two graduates pose for the camera
  • A graduate with another person smile for camera
  • A graduate with a group of family
  • A graduate with two of their family members
  • A graduate with their parents outside of the Wang Center
  • Two graduates smile while holding their diplomas
  • A graduate with heart-shaped sunglasses smiles while holding flowers and their diploma
  • A graduate with their parents
  • Two graduates smile for the camera
  • Two graduates pose for a photo
  • Four graduates pose for a photo holding their diplomas
  • A pretty mortarboard
  • A graduate with a lot of flowers atop their cap
  • A graduate smiles while holding a sign that says Pop Fiction
  • Closeup of a woman's head with two feathers and 2026 dangling from her cap
  • The top of a mortarboard
  • Two graduates smile
  • The top of a mortarboard that reads: My future is booked
  • Graduates pose for photo while one holds a sign that says Film & Media Art
  • Five graduates in caps and gowns pose for photo
  • Graduates take a selfie
  • A graduate with their parents
  • A graduate smiles while holding flowers and their diploma
  • Three graduates laugh and smile together
  • A graduate with three family membersAn alum with a family member pose for a photo
  • A lot of graduates pose for a photo outside