UM to Celebrate Spring Graduates at May 9 Commencement
More than 2,000 UM students will receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 9, at the 2026 Spring Commencement. (UM photo by Tommy Martino)
MISSOULA – The University of Montana will celebrate over 2,000 degree candidates who make up the class of 2026 during its Spring Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 9.
“This is a special time of year, as Commencement marks the culmination of the academic journey of so many of our students,” said Leslie Webb, UM vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “Our graduates are ready to seize the opportunities UM has provided them, and we look forward to cheering them on as they pursue successful careers and contribute their skills to the benefit of our society.”
The University will host two on-campus ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Adams Center. The 9 a.m. ceremony will include graduates of the Department of Public Administration and Policy, College of Arts and Media, Missoula College, College of Health and College of Business. The 2 p.m. ceremony will include graduates from the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, W.A. Franke College of Forestry, College of Science and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
During the ceremonies, UM will present honorary doctorates to acclaimed author Debra Magpie Earling and business leader Joe Whittinghill.
Earling authored notable publications such as “The Lost Journals of Sacajawea” and “Perma Red,” which The Atlantic recently listed as one of the great American novels of the past 100 years. She taught creative writing and Native American Studies at UM for more than 30 years.
Whittinghill graduated from UM in 1989 and had a long and distinguished career at Microsoft, where he held leadership roles that included corporate vice president, managing director of mergers and acquisitions and chief talent and learning officer.
The Spring Commencement Ceremonies are free and open to the public.
UM will provide additional ADA parking spaces and seating areas for the ceremony. Other accessible accommodations are available on a first-come basis. Please arrive early if accessible accommodations are needed. Attendees in need of other accessibility accommodations can email Brandon Kress in the Adams Center at brandon.kress@mso.umt.edu or call 406-243-5357. Visit the Accessibility and Special Accommodations page for more information.
The public also can livestream the event on the Spring 2026 Commencement website.
For more information, visit the Spring 2026 Commencement website or email questions to commencement@umontana.edu.
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Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.