Did you know thousands of UA students crossed the stage at commencement ceremonies across Alaska this May?

May 13, 2026

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A woman holds a graduation cap that reads "I did it!"
A UAS graduate shows off her decorated cap. (UAS photo)

UAA, UAF and UAS honored students across the state with degrees, certificates, endorsements and honorary degrees. They join over 100,000 UA alumni. 

May is a season of acute transition in Alaska. Hibernating animals awaken; the snow that has kept us company all winter recedes across the landscape. It is also the time of year when thousands of people walk across the University of Alaska commencement stages, starting up the stairs as students and stepping down the other side as alumni, diploma in hand. 

Campuses from Juneau to Fairbanks to Kodiak marked the occasion over two weeks in May, honoring graduates with ceremonies ornate and intimate, long and short, but all full of pride and optimism. The class of 2026 joins the more than 100,000 graduates and former students who make up UA alumni.

Highlights from across the system

President Pitney stands at the wooden and green podium in graduation regalia
UA President Pat Pitney speaks at UAA's Spring 2026 Commencement in the Alaska Airlines Center. (UAA photo)

At UAA, 17-year-old Rainey Spurlock delivered the undergraduate address, becoming the youngest known graduate in UAA history. She began taking college classes at 13 alongside her grandmother, Brenda Spurlock, and the two earned communications degrees together. UAA held ceremonies in Anchorage, Kodiak, Wasilla, Soldotna and Valdez. 

UAF's 104th ceremony opened with a performance by the Troth Yeddha' Dance Troupe, who drummed and danced with red handprints painted over their mouths in recognition of the annual day of remembrance for missing and murdered Indigenous people on May 5. It was the final commencement for UA President Pat Pitney, herself a UAF graduate and the first UA President to have graduated from the UA system. UAF held ceremonies in Fairbanks, Bethel, Nome and Kotzebue. 

At UAS, the Juneau ceremony was preceded by a Native Graduation Ceremony at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, where more than 150 students, family members and tribal elders gathered. Two honorary doctorates were presented to L'eiwtú Éesh Herman Davis, 92, and Aanyáanáx Ray Wilson, 93, both recognized for lifelong contributions to Lingít language, dance and culture. UAS held ceremonies in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.

a graduate in Indigenous garb holds up their blue diploma after walking across the stage
A UAF graduate celebrates after receiving their diploma. (UAF photo)

By the Numbers

UAA recognized 1,647 certificate, undergraduate and graduate students during its commencement ceremony at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. About 581 people walked in the ceremony. 

Kodiak College handed out three Alutiiq language certificates.

UAF conferred 1,263 degrees on 1,102 students at its 104th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. 

The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Kuskokwim Campus (KuC) held its 52nd commencement ceremony. The satellite campus has handed out 3,500 certificates, endorsements, degrees, and other distinctions throughout its history.

UAS recognized 585 students across the 2025-26 academic year. In Juneau, 110 students walked at Centennial Hall.

Commencement means beginning. For thousands of new UA alumni, that beginning is rooted in Alaska, shaped by the communities that supported them and the institution that prepared them for what comes next.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates. Welcome to the UA family!

Explore the ceremonies