Commencement at Mary Baldwin University

Award Winners & Military Officers

View the Livestream

Commencement 2026

MBU’s 184th Commencement ceremony celebrates the Class of 2026 and all their accomplishments at the university.

The university will hold one, unified Commencement ceremony this year for all academic programs.

Ceremony Information

Time/Date: 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 10
Location: Page Terrace in front of Grafton Library on the Staunton campus

Faculty, Administration, and 2026 Graduates of Mary Baldwin University

President: Dr. Todd Telemeco

Board of Trustees Co-Chairs: Eloise Chandler ’77 and Dr. Constance Dierickx

University Chaplain: Dr. Katherine Low

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs: Dr. Paul Deeble

Deans and Directors:
Gold College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Amy Diduch, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Dean of Gold College

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences

Dr. Shelia Talbott, Associate Dean and Director, School of Nursing
Dr. Lori Conyers, Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Dr. Nancy Freeborne, Director, Physician Assistant Program
Dr. Sarah McCadden, Interim Director, Occupational Therapy Program
Dr. Jennifer McPherson, Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program
Dr. Kim Nine, Director, Healthcare Administration Program
Dr. Catherine “Cassy” Turner, Director, Physical Therapy Program

Palmer College of Professional Studies

Charles W. “Will” Webb, Chief Growth Officer, Sr. Vice President and Dean of Palmer College Dr. Pamela Bailey, Associate Dean and Director, School of Education
Catherine Ferris “Cat” McPherson, Associate Dean and Director, School of Business

Commencement Address: Dr. James D. Lott, Dean Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of English

Student Speaker: Elise Marston ’18, MEd ’26

Student Performers: Tucker Crossley ’26, Haven Duncan ’26, Nyjiea Freeman ’26, Joan Lee ’26, Justyn Mills ’26, Maia Ott ’26

Name Readers:
Dr. Kat Wilford, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Dr. Marty Fontenot, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Dr. Emily Budd, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Program

University Marshal: Dr. Chandra Mason, Professor of Psychology
Associate Marshal: Janet Ewing Associate Professor of Business Administration

Student Marshals:
Senior Marshals: Jadyn McGinniss and Annalise Toone
Junior Marshals: Melissa Louis
Sophomore Marshals: Deanna Chapman, Emma (Remi) Keen, Tessie Namara Magezi
Freshman Marshals: Amarachukwu (Amarachi) Ani, Emily Collins, Madison Keck, Phuc Nguyen, Oluwasemilore (Semi) Taiwo

Graduate Info Session

Get info and photos about regalia, line-up, the procession, seating, and more to help you feel confident and prepared for the Commencement ceremony.

View the Presentation

Check back often

Please check back often for further information; this page will be updated as Commencement details are released.

Location, Seating & Rain Plan

Ceremony location

Commencement will be held on Page Terrace, in front of Grafton Library on the Staunton campus.

Campus map

Guest seating

There will be unlimited, open seating for guests on Hunt Hill. It’s recommended that guests bring a picnic blanket if they’d like to sit on the hillside. Please be aware that it is grassy and steep.

Accessible seating

Reservations for the accessible seating section have now closed; find more information here. First-come, first-served seating is also available in Francis Auditorium, where the ceremony will be livestreamed.

Graduate check-in on Commencement day

Graduates should go to Hunt Dining Hall to check in and line up. Please see the Commencement FAQs page for more info.

Rain Location

In case of severe inclement weather, MBU’s Commencement will be held at Staunton High School, 1301 N Coalter St.

If the rain location will be used, graduating students will receive notification via text (sent through the BAM messaging system) and MBU email. A notification will also be posted on the MBU website. The timing for these communications will be at approximately 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the ceremony.

Inclement Weather Plan