Bagpipes playing “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed across the magnificent Great Lawn, signaling the beginning of the 102nd Conferring of Degrees. The undergraduate Class of 2026, nearly 1,000 strong, stepped off together–one last time–and passed under the McMurran Hall arches in the Grand Processional to Commencement.
A sea of well-wishers and loved ones lined their route, waving and beaming proudly at graduates as they made their way to their seats, where they would receive some final words of wisdom from President William G. Kelly and Board of Visitors Rector Christy Morton ‘01.
In keeping with honored academic tradition, Dr. Jay Paul, senior faculty member and Director of the Honors Program, began the Conferral of Degrees by knocking the University’s ceremonial mace three times.
“It is truly a great day to be a Captain!” said President Kelly. “Today is a day to celebrate. We celebrate the graduates of the Class of 2026. We celebrate the families and friends who stood beside you throughout this journey. We celebrate our faculty who poured their knowledge, inspiration, patience, and heart into your education. We celebrate our staff, coaches, Board of Visitors, alumni, supporters, and this entire community that helped guide you to this moment. There have been many hands on the helm throughout this voyage — and today we celebrate all of you, both here in person and watching online.”
President Kelly then promised an “appropriately brief, intentionally different commencement” that keeps the focus on the graduates and their guests.
“At CNU, we do commencement ‘family style.’ We invite your families and loved ones down front as you cross the stage because this University is a family. Today you will ring the bell, toss your penny, receive your academic hood from your faculty, and celebrate surrounded by the people who helped you get here,” he said.
President Kelly offered this assurance to graduates: “Captains, you are ready. Whether you are beginning a career, continuing your education, serving your community, or charting a course still unfolding before you — you are ready. Because your education was embedded in the liberal arts, you know how to think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and lead honorably. You understand that diverse perspectives strengthen teams and improve outcomes. And thanks to your professors, you are equipped with both the technical knowledge and the human skills needed to thrive.”
Rector Morton agreed, telling the class, “You have completed one of the most rigorous core curriculums in the country. Through your studies in the liberal arts and sciences, you have learned to think critically, communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and solve complex problems,” said Morton. “Those skills will serve you well in your careers, but they will also serve you in ways that are harder to quantify. They will make you better citizens, better neighbors, better friends, and perhaps one day, better spouses and parents.”
Morton encouraged graduates to show gratitude for the many opportunities they’ve been given.
“Gratitude truly does make a difference. The person you thank will know that their investment in you was meaningful and appreciated. And the very act of seeking someone out — of putting those words on paper or saying them in person — will help you, too. Gratitude is good for the soul,” she said.
The Conferring of Degrees was followed by the Grad Walk, a tradition that makes Christopher Newport’s Commencement truly personalized and student-centered. The Grad Walk allows each student the opportunity to cross the stage at a set time to receive their diploma. Their family and friends are then led to a spot next to the stage so they can be close to their graduate and share in the moment.
Graduates filled up the rest of the day with many beloved Captain traditions. They tossed the penny they received freshman year into the Plaza fountain, they rang the Hoinkes Plaza bell, and they thanked their professors as they made their way through the faculty gauntlet.
A special Athletic Commencement was held earlier in the week on May 13th for athletes who were unable to attend due to competition, competing, and Graduate Studies Commencement was held on Friday, May 15th.
The 102nd Commencement occupies a special place in Christopher Newport history, as the University is celebrating the 65th anniversary of the first day of classes of what was then Christopher Newport College.
The University is also celebrating the many accomplishments of the members of the Class of ‘26, including their tight embrace of Christopher Newport’s core values of honor, service, scholarship, and leadership. The class logged an extraordinary 56,300 hours of community service, according to the University’s Center for Community Engagement.
And the brand-new Captains for Life class has already made an impact, giving back to the CNU community. The class raised just over $79,000, which will support the University’s greatest designated need: scholarships. The Class of ‘26 is also paying it forward with a $5,000 gift to the Class of ‘27 to jumpstart its upcoming campaign. A portion of the gift will also be invested in the Gregory P. Klich Alumni House, as well as provide water bottle filling stations at the David Student Union (DSU) to help support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
President Kelly encouraged grads to stop by the DSU and show their appreciation to someone who made a difference in their CNU journey by writing a note of thanks.
“When you go to pick up your diploma, you’ll find CNU thank you cards, pens, and envelopes. Take a card home with you to write out or take a moment today to write a note to a professor, coach, staff member, mentor, friend, or family member. If you’d like to mail it, just address it, and we will even stamp and mail it for you — free of charge. The gratitude you show will feel so very good, just like it felt when you applauded your families and thanked your faculty and staff,” President Kelly said.
“Saying thank you. Showing respect. Extending compassion. These are simple things — they are things we live here on our campus, through our traditions of holding doors and speaking to each other and they are things our nation and our world could use a lot more of right now. And I can promise you this: If gratitude becomes part of who you are — part of your quiet time, part of your character, part of the way you lead — you will not only be successful, you will truly be living a life of significance,” he said.
As the Conferring of Degrees drew to a close, President Kelly offered graduates one more opportunity to embrace their Captain spirit before turning their tassels to become Captains for Life. He shouted out the line that has, over the years, become so familiar to the class:
“And as always…” he bellowed, cueing the graduates.
The Class of ‘26 didn’t disappoint. With great enthusiasm, they roared back one more time: “Go Captains!”