Maryville College Commencement 2026: The culmination of the Class of 2026’s journey in pictures, words, videos and more
June 2, 2026
The Maryville College campus is eerily quiet in the early summer months, but the ghosts of the Class of 2026 still linger.
On Humphreys Court, the grassy, tree-shaded quad between Anderson and Fayerweather halls, there’s little sign that less than one month ago, more than a thousand people gathered there to show their love and support of the College’s graduating seniors, who claimed their diplomas on Saturday, May 9. The stage has been disassembled and stored away for next year, the chairs have been stacked and returned, and the Covenant Stone stands alone as a reminder that yet another coterie of Scots has passed through the gates of College Hill into the wider world, determined to carry out the charge of the Rev. Isaac Anderson, the College’s founder, who urged all to “do good on the largest possible scale.”
From April’s Celebration of Student Achievement to the graduation rehearsal the day before to the movement of tassels from one side of mortar boards to the other, Commencement made an indelible impact on the graduating seniors and on Maryville College itself. Every class forever retains a spot in the hallowed halls of institutional memory, and this particular weekend can be relived again through the videos, photos and verbiage that tell its story. Here’s a recap of all of the metaphorical mile markers that tell the story of Maryville College Commencement 2026.
Videos
Photos
Programs
Stories
From College Hill to the wider world: Maryville College celebrates Commencement 2026
- Beneath gorgeous blue skies on the lawn of Humphreys Court, Commencement speaker Jennifer Morris of The Nature Conservancy extolled graduates to find the courage they’ll need to make an impact on the world.
- See the full list of the members of the Class of 2026 who were awarded bachelor of arts degrees, bachelor of science degrees and master’s degrees, along with 73 who earned academic distinction.
Grad schools, jobs and study abroad among impressive next steps for Class of 2026
- Maryville College graduates have lined up impressive post-MC plans, from graduate schools to the beginnings of careers in a number of different fields.
- A profile of international student Rukhshona Isomova ’26, who came to Maryville College from Uzbekistan four years ago and has thrived.
- Retiring faculty member Jan Taylor delivered a beautiful parting sermon for the Class of 2026 on the afternoon before Commencement.
Maryville College academic honor societies induct new members as 2025-26 academic year wraps up
- Six of the seven Maryville College academic honor societies welcomed new members as the academic year came to an end.
- List of award winners at the annual Celebration of Student Achievement, held on April 10 at the Clayton Center for the Arts.
- The Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior Award is the highest honor given to a Maryville College student. This year’s winner is Josh Cornell ’26
Niota’s Emily Miller ’26 named the 2026 LeQuire Award winner at Maryville College
- Each year, the recipient of the LeQuire Award is selected from among the graduating class by the College president, with nominations coming from faculty members in the Humanities and Natural Sciences divisions. This year’s winner was Emily Miller ’26.
Future educators shine: Five Maryville College seniors named Smoky Mountain Teachers of Promise
- Five seniors from the MC Division of Education were recognized as outstanding pre-service educators.
Maryville College senior art show gives graduating Scots an opportunity to shine
- Every year on the cusp of Maryville College’s Commencement, seniors in the Division of Fine Arts are given an opportunity to display their work in the galleries of the Clayton Center for the Arts.
Texts
- Jennifer Morris of The Nature Conservancy delivered the Commencement address to the Class of 2026 on May 9, 2026. Here is the full text of her remarks.
Text: Dr. Bill Frist introduces the 2026 Maryville College Commencement speaker
- Special guest Dr. Bill Frist introduced Jennifer Morris at the Maryville College Commencement ceremony on May 9, 2026. Here is the full text of his introduction.
- Austin McKee ’26, outgoing president of the Maryville College Student Government Association, delivered the traditional welcome at Commencement 2026. Here is the full text of his remarks.
Text: Senior Lecturer Jan Taylor’s Baccalaureate sermon to the Maryville College Class of 2026
- Jan Taylor was selected to deliver the traditional Baccalaureate sermon to the Class of 2026 on May 8, 2026. Here is the full text of her remarks.
- During the May 8, 2026, Baccalaureate service, senior class President Josh Cornell ’26 spoke to her peers in the Class of 2026. Here is the full text of his remarks.