SUNY Fredonia's Class of 2026 Celebrated in Commencement Ceremonies

More than 800 new graduates from SUNY Fredonia are ready to move on to the next phase of their lives. Friends and family of the Class of 2026 gathered inside the Steele Hall Arena to join them in celebration of their achievements during the university's 199th Commencement on Saturday. University President Dr. Stephen Kolison challenged members of the graduating class to improve the human condition wherever their lives take them...

Stephen Kolison: carry the values you have gained

Two Fredonia alumni delivered the keynote addresses during Saturday's ceremonies. During the morning ceremony, Jim Ranney from the Class of 1988 told members of the new graduating class that the one certainty in life is uncertainty, and he encouraged them to "stay humble" and pick paths that allow them to do good things...

Jim Ranney: embrace public service

Craig Harris, Vice President of Development for Catholic Health System, graduated from Fredonia in 1998. He asked the class, "What will be your 'why?'" For him, it was becoming a mentor...

Craig Harris: no greater joy than watching someone else succeed

Class President Hana Gist spoke during both ceremonies. She also presented Dr. Kolison the senior class gift, which is a cherry blossom tree and a contribution to an existing scholarship fund.

Saturday's ceremonies also featured 1974 Fredonia graduate Reginal Spiller receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree during the morning ceremony, Julia Skiba receiving the Lanford Presidential Prize, and the recognition of Alexander Scalcione and Sivan Adler as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Photo by SUNY Fredonia