Comet Grads Get Set for Moments in Sun at Spring Commencement

The University of Texas at Dallas community will salute its Class of 2026 with its University Commencement ceremony, as well as doctoral hooding and 12 school-based ceremonies, all being held May 15-20 on the UT Dallas campus.

The ceremonies will accommodate this spring's class of 3,051 bachelor's students, 1,651 master's students and 158 doctoral candidates. Almost 4,500 Comets are expected to participate in the various commencement ceremonies.

For this year, University Commencement, which also includes graduates from last fall and summer, has moved from the University Roundabout to Parking Lot J to provide a larger, flatter space with fewer obstructions to sight lines.

The keynote speaker will be Tom Leppert, who served as mayor of Dallas from 2007 to 2011 and has earned acclaim for his leadership in business, public service and higher education.

"UT Dallas has been a key factor in the ability of this region to attract companies and talented individuals. Its deep roots and leadership in the technology sector are especially important as the region and state push to become global leaders in growing areas of the economy," Leppert said. "The University epitomizes the region's distinction in creating partnerships between the public and private sector to the overall benefit of the local economy."

Leppert, who chairs the board of directors at national construction contractor Austin Industries, is a longtime Center for BrainHealth supporter and co-leader of The BrainHealth Project. He received the center's Legacy Award in 2022.

Leppert also has chaired the Greater Dallas Regional Chamber and the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations. He has been recognized as CEO of the Year by D Magazine, the Texas Businessman of the Year by the Texas Association of Business and Outstanding Director of the Year by the Dallas Business Journal.

Commencement festivities kick off the afternoon of May 15 with the hooding of doctoral degree candidates at the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall. University Commencement will be held that evening at 7:30.

The ceremonies for individual schools will be held the following Monday through Wednesday at the Activity Center and the lecture hall.

Three ceremonies will be held May 18 for the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, along with one for the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

On May 19, the first two ceremonies for the Naveen Jindal School of Management will be held, in addition to the ceremonies for the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

May 20 will feature two more events for the Jindal School, then wrap up with the ceremony for the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology.

After each school commencement ceremony, giveaways and photo opportunities will be available at the Grads on the Green event at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.

Media Contact: Stephen Fontenot, UT Dallas, 972-883-4405, [email protected], or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].