UC Berkeley's 2026 Graduates Celebrate Connection and Community at Commencement
At UC Berkeley’s 2026 commencement, grads reflected on an education defined by connection
University Of California, Berkeley
Image: University Of California, Berkeley
At the 2026 commencement ceremony of the University of California, Berkeley, over 7,000 graduates celebrated their achievements while reflecting on the importance of connection and community. Chancellor Richard K. Lyons and keynote speaker Robert Reich emphasized the graduates' potential to bridge societal divides and enact positive change in a challenging world.
- 01Chancellor Richard K. Lyons urged graduates to apply their education to build bridges across societal divides.
- 02Keynote speaker Robert Reich highlighted the challenges facing graduates, including authoritarianism and climate change, but expressed confidence in their ability to effect positive change.
- 03University Medalist Charles Long Jr. shared his journey overcoming significant personal challenges, emphasizing the importance of community and support.
- 04Graduates like Ato Aliping and Alicia Valenciana reflected on their family sacrifices and personal struggles, showcasing diverse paths to success.
- 05The ceremony concluded with graduates celebrating their achievements and receiving their degrees, ready to make a difference in the world.
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The University of California, Berkeley's 2026 commencement ceremony took place on May 16, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium, where over 7,000 graduates celebrated their achievements in front of 25,000 guests. The event highlighted the theme of connection and community, with Chancellor Richard K. Lyons encouraging graduates to use their education to bridge societal divides. Keynote speaker Robert Reich, a professor emeritus and former Secretary of Labor, acknowledged the significant challenges graduates face, including authoritarianism and climate change, while expressing confidence in their capacity for positive change. University Medalist Charles Long Jr., who overcame incarceration and homelessness, emphasized the importance of embracing differences and supporting one another. Graduates shared personal stories of resilience and community, such as Ato Aliping, who honored his immigrant family's sacrifices, and Alicia Valenciana, who overcame academic challenges to pursue a career in counseling. The ceremony concluded with graduates receiving their degrees, filled with encouragement to impact the world positively.
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The emphasis on community and connection at the commencement ceremony inspires graduates to contribute positively to their communities and society at large.
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