DU’s Class of 2026 Celebrates at Commencement

Photos by Dave Pavlina

Blue skies and bright sunshine—a quintessential Colorado day—greeted the University of Denver’s Class of 2026 as they prepared to receive their diplomas at Magness Arena on Saturday, June 13.

Attendance among family and friends was high, as the nearly 1,400-member class was one of the largest in the University’s 162-year history. After standing in line patiently to enter the arena, the crowd was in a festive mood while they watched graduates process onto the floor, accompanied by the music of Denver Brass. Shortly thereafter, Celtic Colorado Pipes & Drums escorted members of the University’s faculty and administration onto the podium. 

Next came brief remarks from John Miller, chair of the DU Board of Trustees; Tracie Sheppard of the DU Alumni Council; and Provost Elizabeth Loboa. Chancellor Jeremy Haefner then introduced commencement speaker H. Andre Thomas, a 1985 graduate of the Daniels College of Business, who received an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree.

Looking forward with hope

In a powerful address, Thomas spoke to graduates about being hopeful and resilient in a world full of uncertainty. “No one can predict the future,” he said. “But you can look forward with the quiet, unshakable confidence of knowing who you are, while you utilize your education and relationships to always be resilient.”

He also spoke directly to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. “At a time when we are spending an enormous amount of energy on the future implications of artificial intelligence, let me remind you that you have in you the original—the OG: human intelligence,” Thomas said.

“HI not only came before AI—it created it,” he continued. “Like every innovation in human history, remember that technology is only a tool and not a replacement for human ingenuity. Technology can and should be used for the good of humankind and not ever seen as a replacement for humanity.”

Thomas then called upon his own background to underscore his theme of hope. He described a scene from 1960s Arkansas: A man who had fought in World War II, who had a wife and seven children at home, went out one night to visit a family member. The following morning, the man’s wife was met at the front door by the sheriff, who informed her that her husband had been burned to death in his car. There was never an investigation to determine who had taken the man’s life.

“I was born two weeks after this tragic event,” Thomas revealed. “I am his first grandchild. His wife—my grandmother—will be 100 years old this fall. She never stopped believing in good and never let the weight of her loss hold her, or our family, back.”

“There is always hope,” he added. “There is always an opportunity for renewal borne out of resilience.”

In closing, Thomas encouraged graduates with heartfelt parting words. “Remember to nurture your dreams, stay grounded in your personal story, stay hopeful in human relationships, and stay resilient,” he said. “The world will try to make all of us hesitate, make us second-guess our values. I encourage you to resist this line of thinking. Stand firm in your integrity, your humanity. Be bold, Pioneers! Step into tomorrow without fear. Congratulations to you all, and may you help change the world for the better.”

Celebrations on the lawn

After graduates moved their tassels from right to left, received their diplomas, and walked across the stage to cheers and applause—and after Chancellor Haefner bid them farewell with a hearty “Congratulations! Godspeed!”—it was time to exit the arena into the sunshine for joyful reunions with family and friends. 

Refreshments were served from tents on the Ritchie Center lawn, and groups of graduates and their loved ones paused to take pictures in front of DU banners and the iconic big red chair. 

All the while, University carillonist Joey Brink added to the celebration with music from the Williams Tower carillon. First up was the Class of 2026’s official song, “End of Beginning” by Djo. 

Chosen by student vote, the song was nominated by Vy Nguyen, who earned a double major in physiology in health and disease as well as psychology. “This song describes how I feel bittersweet about graduating and the cherished memories I created at DU, but also excited to see where my next steps in life will take me,” said Nguyen when she suggested the nostalgic ballad.

As students and families slowly drifted away from the Ritchie Center for more photos, hugs, and farewells, nothing was more appropriate than the song’s chorus: “I wave goodbye to the end of beginning.”