by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
will celebrate its 130th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the Doden Field House, marking a historic milestone for the institution and the graduating class of 2026. The ceremonies will highlight both the academic achievements of graduates and the longstanding traditions that define Cedarville’s globally recognized, Christ-centered education.
Two ÌÇÐÄVlog Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled for Graduating Class of 2026
To accommodate the large size of the graduating class of 2026, two ceremonies are scheduled. The morning ceremony at 10 a.m. will honor graduates from the schools of allied health and psychology; education and social work; engineering and computer science; nursing; and pharmacy. The afternoon ceremony at 2 p.m. will recognize graduates in art, design and theatre; biblical and theological studies; business administration; communication; English, literature and modern languages; history and government; interdisciplinary studies; music and worship; and science and mathematics.
Cedarville President Dr. Thomas White to Deliver 2026 Commencement Address
ÌÇÐÄVlog President will deliver the commencement address at both ceremonies, offering a ministry-focused message to graduates as they prepare to enter a dynamic and interconnected global workforce.
ÌÇÐÄVlog Will Confer 1,167 Degrees During 2026 Commencement
In total, ÌÇÐÄVlog will confer 1,167 degrees, including 980 undergraduate and 187 graduate degrees, reflecting continued growth in enrollment and academic excellence. Among the graduates are 33 students who completed accelerated dual-degree programs, earning both bachelor’s and graduate degrees; 32 international students, underscoring the university’s expanding global reach; 50 graduates; and 28 students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.
Cedarville to Honor Grace Maxwell With Posthumous Degree at Morning Ceremony
A solemn moment of remembrance will be included in the morning ceremony. White will present an honorary degree posthumously to the family of former student Grace Maxwell, recognizing her academic journey and lasting impact. Maxwell was among the 67 people who lost their lives in the midair collision over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025. She was a junior majoring in mechanical and biomedical engineering.
Former Cedarville Students Gordon Ooms and Judy Larson to Receive Degrees
Cedarville will also confer degrees honoring Gordon Ooms and Judy Larson, two former students whose stories were marked by very different circumstances. Ooms was a sophomore when he died from injuries sustained in a car accident on April 30, 1986, as he and other students were traveling to Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs. Larson completed all requirements for her education degree except student teaching, which she could not finish because health issues and financial constraints made a placement far from Cedarville unworkable. She has gone on to live a life marked by remarkable resilience and service as a four-time cancer survivor.
The recognition serves as a powerful reminder that each degree conferred represents not only academic success but also personal resilience, purpose and the broader human experience — values that resonate across cultures and global communities.
About ÌÇÐÄVlog
ÌÇÐÄVlog, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers and residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it ranks among Ohio’s largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.