Commencement

Class of 2026:                                                                                         

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Davis & Elkins College! This represents a significant milestone in your life, as well as in the lives of your family members and friends.  

We look forward to honoring you during the 117th Commencement Weekend – Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9 – and celebrating this special time with your guests. Information about the weekend is available on the Davis & Elkins College website at https://www.dewv.edu/commencement/. Please share this link with your family.  

A particularly special feature of our Commencement Weekend celebration is a hooding ceremony held during the Baccalaureate Service on Friday evening. This special occasion will give you an opportunity to acknowledge the full-time faculty or staff member who has made the greatest impact on your life during your time at D&E. This will also provide a wonderful photo opportunity for family and friends to commemorate your hard work.  

On March 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and March 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., we will host Countdown to Commencement in the Senate Commons in the Myles Center for the Arts. Please plan to attend to take care of multiple, important, pre-graduation tasks. These tasks include identifying the faculty or staff member you would like to hood you at the Baccalaureate Service; identifying the faculty members you would like to sign your diploma; informing the College regarding how many family members and guests will be attending the Baccalaureate and Commencement Services; and completing your financial aid survey. 

If you and/or members of your family require special assistance with parking, accessible seating arrangements, or have any questions about the weekend, please contact Beth King in my office at kinge@dewv.edu or  (304) 637-1243. In the meantime, I thank you for your own part in making this a great year for D&E.  

Sincerely,    

President Wood 

Kick off Commencement Weekend with the Graduate Champagne Brunch – Graduates are invited to attend a special brunch, sponsored by the National Alumni Council, to celebrate you, the D&E Class of 2026! This champagne brunch will take place prior to rehearsal on Friday, May 8, 2026 at time TBA  in The Joni and Buck Smith Art Forum, Myles Center for the Arts. (Graduates Only)

The nurses pinning is on Friday, May 8 at 4 p.m. in the Myles Center for the Arts.

Rehearsal for both Baccalaureate and Commencement will be on Friday, May 8, at 1 p.m. All graduates are required to attend.

Graduates should arrive at the library bridge no later than 6:15 p.m. (Rain Location: Glass wall in the Myles Center for the Arts.)

What should each graduate wear to Baccalaureate?

• Graduates are required to wear their Academic Regalia at Baccalaureate. Please remember to wear the following.
• Black Graduation Gown
• Mortar Board with Red and White 2026 Tassel

Graduates should arrive at the library bridge no later than 9:15 a.m. (Rain Location: Glass wall in the Myles Center for the Arts.)

What should each graduate wear to Commencement?

• Graduates are required to wear their Academic Regalia at Commencement. Please remember to wear the following.
• Black Graduation Gown
• Mortar Board with Red and White 2026 Tassel
• D&E Hood (Received at Baccalaureate)

Graduates may pick up their cap and gown at the following locations and times.

• The times and locations will be posted on April 28.

Parking will be available in the McDonnell Center lot accessible off Harpertown Road. Parking will not be available on the front of campus.

The Myles Center for the Arts is accessible on all levels by elevator.

ADA Parking will be available in the McDonnell Center lot accessible off Harpertown Road. As you enter the parking area, please let staff know that you need ADA parking.  They will direct you to the appropriate parking area and assist you from there. 

The Myles Center for the Arts is accessible on all levels by elevator.

Wheelchair seating is available in Row A of Sections A and C in the auditorium.  Please contact the President’s Office at (304) 637-1243 OR kinge@dewv.edu in advance for assistance.

Guests may enter the auditorium one hour in advance of the service or ceremony.

Stream Commencement Events Live on YouTube:

Baccalaureate- 6:45 PM on Thursday, May 7

Commencement- 9:45 AM on Saturday, May 9

Links for the live stream of each ceremony will be posted on Friday, May 8.

As each graduate crosses the stage to receive their diploma, they will be photographed by a professional photographer.

Photos from 2026 Commencement Weekend will be available by May 25 by clicking on the categories below: 

Nurses’ Pinning

Baccalaureate Service

Commencement Ceremony

Countdown to Commencement

March 17: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 18: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Senate Commons / Myles Center for the Arts

Please plan to attend to take care of multiple important pre-graduation tasks. These tasks included identifying the faculty or staff member you would like to hood you at the Baccalaureate Service; identifying the faculty members you would like to sign your diploma; informing the College regarding how many family members and guests will be attending the Baccalaureate and Commencement Services; and completing your exit counseling with the Office of Financial Aid.

TBA – stay tuned

Tickets are not required. Doors open one hour before the event. Both the Baccalaureate service and the Commencement ceremony will be streamed and overflow seating will be available in Senate Commons.