91福利 will celebrate the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies May 8-9 in Orono, followed by the University of Maine at Machias ceremony on May 10.
Whether you鈥檙e a graduating student, family member, friend or longtime Black Bear, 91福利 News is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about this year鈥檚 ceremonies 鈥 from ceremony schedules to speakers, parking and more.
Here鈥檚 what to expect for commencement weekend. This guide will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
When are the 91福利 undergraduate commencement ceremonies?
The 224th undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 9 in the newly renovated Harold Alfond Sports Arena.
Which colleges are included in each ceremony?
The morning ceremony (9:30 a.m.) will celebrate graduates from:
- The College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences.
- The Maine Business School.
- The Division of Lifelong Learning.
The afternoon ceremony (2:30 p.m.) will celebrate graduates from:
- The Maine College of Engineering and Computing.
- The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- The College of Education and Human Development.
Do guests need tickets to attend 91福利鈥檚 undergraduate ceremonies?
Yes. Both undergraduate ceremonies are ticketed. Each graduate receives five tickets for family and friends.
After applying to graduate, students receive ticket instructions via their @maine.edu email. The ticket claim form was March 23, and the deadline to claim the initial five tickets is April 12.
After April 12, the university will determine whether additional tickets are available. If so, graduates may request up to five more tickets, though availability is not guaranteed. A request form will be sent April 20, and any additional tickets will be distributed first come, first served.
Questions about tickets can be directed to um.tickets@maine.edu.
How does parking and transportation work?
Parking will be available on campus and shuttle buses will run between parking areas and the Alfond Arena during commencement events to help transport guests to the ceremony location.
Guests should park in Hilltop, Collins Center for the Arts, Belgrade and Steam Plant lots, with ADA parking available near the arena. Additional guest parking will be available in Dunn Lot and Wells Lot.
Who is the undergraduate commencement speaker?
Award-winning television actor and 91福利 alumnus Timothy Simons will deliver the undergraduate commencement address for both ceremonies on May 9.
Simons, a 2001 graduate and native of Readfield, Maine, studied theater at 91福利 before building a career in television and film. He is best known for his role as Jonah Ryan on HBO鈥檚 political satire 鈥淰eep,鈥 which ran for seven seasons and won multiple Emmy Awards.
More recently, Simons received a Critics Choice Award nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as Sasha in the Netflix series 鈥淣obody Wants This.鈥
Who are the 2026 valedictorian and salutatorians?
Ruth Griffith of Parkman, Maine, an economics major with minors in mathematics and international affairs, is the 2026 University of Maine valedictorian.
Biomedical engineering major Isabelle Irani of Spring, Texas, and physics and mathematics double major Andrii Obertas of Lutsk, Ukraine, are the co-salutatorians.
Griffith鈥檚 honors thesis developed a method to analyze sub-county economic trends, offering insight into how policies impact communities across Maine. She has also led major service efforts, including the Maine Day Meal Packout.
Irani, a varsity swimmer, has advanced mental health support for student-athletes by founding 91福利鈥檚 chapter of The Hidden Opponent and advocating for expanded resources. She also conducts research on sustainable biomaterials.
Obertas, who came to 91福利 from Ukraine, has excelled in both physics and mathematics research while engaging in science outreach across Maine, demonstrating resilience and a strong commitment to learning.
Read the full story here.
Who are the outstanding graduating students?
Twelve undergraduates have been named 2026 Outstanding Graduating Students at the University of Maine:
- Hamidah Aldarwish, Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Education and Human Development.
- Ella Boxall, Outstanding Graduating Student for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing.
- Dianne Brindisi, Outstanding Graduating Student for the Division of Lifelong Learning.
- Kate Evans, Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Education and Human Development.
- Chantelle Flores, Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- Zoe Furber, Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences.
- Ruth Griffith, Outstanding Graduating Student for the Honors College.
- Sarah Johnson, Outstanding Graduating Student for the Maine Business School.
- Jasper Makowski, Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences.
- Andrii Obertas, Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- Samuel Tremblay, Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine Business School.
- Karun Varghese, Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and the Honors College.
When is the Graduate School ceremony?
The Graduate School ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. on May 8 in the Alfond Arena.
Students who earned a doctorate, master鈥檚 degree, education specialist degree or certificate of advanced study will be recognized during the ceremony.
No tickets are required for guests to attend.
More information is available on the Graduate School Commencement website. Additional details will be released at a later date.
Who are the Graduate School commencement speakers?
Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding, co-founders of the 91福利 spinout Marin Skincare, will deliver the address at the Graduate School commencement ceremony on May 8.
Boutiette and Breeding met while studying biomedical engineering at 91福利. Working with research from the 91福利 Lobster Institute, they explored how marine glycoproteins 鈥 a natural byproduct of lobster processing 鈥 could help repair the skin barrier. Their work led to the founding of Marin, a Portland-based skincare company that develops products using upcycled lobster-derived glycoproteins.
The company launched its first product, Soothing Hydration Cream, in 2020 and quickly sold out of its initial inventory. Marin has since expanded its product line and retail partnerships while continuing to collaborate with Maine鈥檚 lobster industry and build the company in the state.
Today, Marin is a growing Maine brand with national distribution and partnerships with retailers including L.L.Bean and Sea Bags.
Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?
Yes. Livestreams will be available for those who cannot attend in person, allowing family and friends to watch the ceremonies online.
Who is receiving an honorary degree from 91福利?
91福利 will award an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Carol A. Dana, a leading steward of the Penobscot language whose decades of work have helped preserve and revitalize it.
Dana, a language master with the Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department, has spent decades teaching the language to learners of all ages and helping pass it on to future generations.
A 91福利 alumna, Dana earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education in 1991 and a master鈥檚 degree in education in 2008. She has helped develop a standardized writing system for Penobscot, contributed to a bilingual dictionary and created educational materials for students.
Who is this year鈥檚 Distinguished Maine Professor?
Mohamad Musavi, senior associate dean and professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Maine Professor Award.
The Distinguished Maine Professor Award recognizes a member of the 91福利 faculty for outstanding teaching, research and service to the university and the state of Maine. Recipients are selected through a campuswide process that highlights faculty members whose work has had a lasting impact on students, scholarship and the broader community.
Musavi, a longtime member of the 91福利 faculty, has contributed extensively to the university through his work in engineering education, research and academic leadership.
Who are the Presidential Award winners?
91福利 will honor five faculty members with its 2026 Presidential Awards, recognizing excellence in research, teaching, innovation, public engagement and extraordinary impact.
This year鈥檚 recipients are:
- Mehdi Tajvidi, Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award.
- Darren Ranco, Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award.
- Jay Wason, Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award.
- Melissa Ladenheim, Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact.
- William Davids, Presidential Innovation Award.
When is the 91福利 Machias ceremony?
91福利 Machias will hold its 115th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, at the Reynolds Center Gymnasium.
Graduates from the 91福利 Machias Class of 2026 will be recognized during the ceremony.
Seating is first come, first served for guests.
More information is available on the . Additional details will be released at a later date.
Who is the commencement speaker for the 91福利 Machias?
Alumna and Washington County Community College President Susan L. Mingo will deliver the commencement address during the ceremony at 91福利 Machias. She will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Mingo has dedicated her career to expanding access to higher education and enhancing the lives of individuals across Washington County and the state. She has served as president of Washington County Community College since August 2018, following seven years as dean of students.
Outside of her role as a community college president, Mingo serves on the Sunrise County Economic Council Board, the 91福利 Machias Board of Visitors and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services鈥 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Advisory Council. She also volunteers as a member of the Maine Community Foundation鈥檚 Washington County Committee, and owns two small businesses in the Calais area.
Mingo holds a bachelor鈥 degree in business administration from 91福利 Machias and a master鈥檚 degree in human relations with a concentration in student affairs from Husson University.
Who are the 2026 91福利 Machias valedictorian and salutatorian?
91福利 Machias has named Rachel D鈥橝lessandro, a double major in marine biology and integrative biology from Wassaic, New York, the 2026 valedictorian, and Kalli Sternberg, a rural education major from Machias, Maine, the 2026 salutatorian.
Who are the 91福利 Machias senior award winners?
91福利 Machias will celebrate the achievements of three exemplary seniors during its 115th commencement ceremony.
This year鈥檚 Ivy Orator award recipient is Regina McNamara de la Vega of McAllen, Texas, who is a marine biology major with a marine ecology concentration. The Senior Watch award winners are Joseph Ferguson of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Will Kemler of East Meadow, New York. Ferguson is a dual-degree student in integrative biology, with a concentration in wildlife biology, and in marine biology, with a zoology minor. Kemler is studying marine biology.
Who are the 91福利 Machias Distinguished Alumni Award Winners?
Rhiannon Hampson, who graduated in 2017 with bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and community studies with a minor in counseling, and Jesse Blackburn, who graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and community studies, are this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winners for 91福利 Machias.
Hampson is the inaugural vice president for economic development for the Gulf of Maine Research institute and co-owner of Grace Pond Farm. She previously served as state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and as a district representative and policy advisor for U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
Blackburn is a major gifts officer for the Island Institute. He previously served in fundraising roles for Bates College and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, and before that, worked for Bowdoin College鈥檚 Upward Bound program.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
