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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.Schools across the University’s Pittsburgh campus will hold ceremonies to recognize their graduate and professional students in the Class of 2026 during the last week of April and throughout May.
Here’s your guide to this year’s celebrations, listed in chronological order:
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
When: Thursday, April 30, 11 a.m.
Where: Victory Heights Arena, 3640 Allequippa St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
Speaker: Jamila Bookwala (A&S ’93G, ’95G) is a nationally recognized teacher-scholar with extensive experience in faculty leadership, curricular innovation and inclusive community building. She has published more than 60 scholarly works, including the award-winning volume “Reflections from Pioneering Women in Psychology.”
School of Education
When: Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m.
Where: Victory Heights Arena, 3640 Allequippa St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
Speaker: Amber Garrison Duncan, executive vice president and chief growth and systems transformation officer at the Competency Based Education Network, has led work in learning frameworks, assessment, credential recognition, digital learner records and open data standards as well as quality assurance. Before her current professional role, Garrison Duncan spent eight years as a grant maker at Lumina Foundation and served as director of student affairs assessment and research at the University of Oregon. She has also held various student affairs roles at Florida State University, University of Michigan, Hope College and Texas A&M University.
School of Pharmacy
When: Friday, May 1, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
Speakers: PharmD Class of 2026 President Alyson Coddington has held several leadership roles within the school, including chapter president of the National Community Pharmacists Association, representative for the Experiential Learning Committee, and professional chair for Lambda Kappa Sigma Pharmacy Fraternity. PhD graduate Joshua Deppas (PHARM ’20G) is a former master’s graduate who has also received a Teaching Assistant Excellence award and a TL1 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and master’s Certificate in Clinical Research from the School of Medicine.
Swanson School of Engineering
When: Friday, May 1, 1 p.m.
Where: Petersen Events Center, 3719 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Speaker: Rebecca Gottlieb (ENGR ’93, ’01G) vice president of Sensor R&D and Advanced Research at Biolinq, specializing in next-generation biosensing technologies beyond traditional glucose monitoring. A recognized leader in MedTech, she previously held executive roles at Medtronic Diabetes. She is the Swanson School’s first woman to serve as a graduate commencement speaker.
School of Public and International Affairs
When: Friday, May 1, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
Speaker: Find more details on the ceremony, which will recognize graduates from the school’s bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
School of Nursing
When: Friday, May 1, 10 a.m.
Where: Victory Heights Arena, 3640 Allequippa St.Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
Speaker: Find more details on the ceremony, which will recognize graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs.
School of Computing and Information
When: Friday, May 1, 5 p.m.
Where: Victory Heights Arena, 3640 Allequippa St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
Speaker: More information is forthcoming; RSVP and find details on the SCI website.
School of Public Health
When: Saturday, May 2, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Victory Heights Arena
Speaker: Chris DeCardy is president of The Heinz Endowments, a private philanthropic foundation based in Pittsburgh. In addition to helping launch and lead the environmental communications nonprofit Environmental Media Services, now Resource Media, DeCardy formerly held positions as the acting CEO of the ClimateWorks Foundation and as vice president and director of programs with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
When: Saturday, May 2, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
Speakers: More information is forthcoming; visit the SHRS commencement page for updates.
School of Business
When: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.
Where: Petersen Events Center, 3719 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Speaker: Gene Anderson, Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean of the School of Business, is a respected scholar whose research on customer satisfaction and business performance has been published in all four premier academic marketing journals — and he has served on their respective editorial boards.
School of Social Work
When: Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
Speaker: Pennsylvania Rep. Aerion Abney (A&S ’10, SOC WK ’12G), of the 19th District, is a former program officer with the POISE Foundation, a grant making institution aimed at empowering Black people across the Pittsburgh region. Before his election, Abney served as the Pennsylvania director of special projects for All Voting Is Local, a national organization fighting to remove discriminatory barriers at the ballot box. In this position, he was a fierce advocate for expanding voting rights, especially for incarcerated Pennsylvanians.
School of Law
When: Thursday, May 7, 11 a.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum; a reception will follow at the Barco Law building.
Speaker: Lucy Fato (LAW ’91) is general counsel and corporate secretary of Seaport Entertainment, where she leads legal strategy and corporate governance. A nationally respected legal executive, Fato brings decades of experience advising global organizations at the highest levels.
School of Dental Medicine
When: Saturday, May 16, 1 p.m.
Where: Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
Speakers: The student speakers at the ceremony will include graduating student leaders from the school’s programs. Find more information on the Pitt Dental commencement page.
School of Medicine
When: Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m.
Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
Speakers: Kimberly D. Manning, professor of medicine at Emory University’s Department of Medicine and media personality, is a lauded medical educator and has received many recognitions, including the ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage To Teach Award. Her blog, Reflections of a Grady Doctor, was profiled in O, The Oprah Magazine, and she cohosts the popular podcast, The Human Doctor, which explores clinical relationships.
For more information on the University-wide undergraduate commencement ceremony and additional details, please visit the Pitt’s commencement website. Get timely updates on your feed by following @PittCommencement on Instagram.
Photography by Aimee Obidzinski