Congratulations Baruch College Class of 2026!

Congratulations Baruch College Class of 2026!

June 1, 2026

Baruch College celebrated the Class of 2026 on June 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where a cheering crowd of nearly 19,000 people gathered to honor more than 5,000 graduates from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, and Zicklin School of Business.

Baruch President S. David Wu, PhD, presided over the exercises and Linda Essig, PhD, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, served as the master of ceremonies.

In his remarks, President Wu encouraged graduates to move forward with confidence, purpose, and imagination.

"As you leave Baruch today, I hope you carry a compass for the world ahead. Let your story point you forward. Do not underestimate the intelligence you have gained from your own life. Your jobs, commutes, family responsibilities, and unexpected turns were not distractions from your education. They were part of your education."

"We have seen your determination. We have seen your intelligence. We have seen your creativity, your courage, and your capacity to move between worlds," he added.

"Now go show the world what Baruch already knows."

The 2026 Class includes 3,978 undergraduates, 1,470 graduate students, 19 doctoral candidates and 29 advanced certificates recipients. Graduates hailed from New York City's five boroughs, states across the nation, and represent more than 100 countries around the globe, distinguishing Baruch's student body as one of the most diverse in the nation. They now join a network of more than 180,000 alumni worldwide.

Commencement Speaker: Chipotle Founder Steve Ells

Steve Ells, founder and former chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, delivered the keynote address.

Ells reflected on his career starting as a line cook in San Francisco to opening a small single burrito shop which evolved into a $40 billion global brand that changed the fast-food dining model along the way.

He urged graduates to "find the details that matter in whatever you build-the ones that separate fine from extraordinary. Hold them when it's inconvenient and especially when someone tells you the details don't matter. And when you miss, go back to what you know to be true: tighten the circle and return to the ingredient that got you there in the first place. The world will keep offering you the jar of pre-ground Cumin-don't take it."

Honorary Degrees

Baruch awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Ells; Louise Mirrer, PhD, president and CEO of the New York Historical museum and library; and Suzanne Shank, president, CEO, founder and owner of the investment banking firm Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC.

Degrees Conferred

The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs: 168 Master of Public Administration, Master of International Affairs, and Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration degrees, and 38 Bachelor of Science degrees.

The George and Mildred Weissman School of Arts and Sciences: 159 Master of Arts and Master of Sciences degrees, and 1,047 Bachelor of Arts degrees.

The Zicklin School of Business: 1,143 Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees, 2,881 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees.

Five students were awarded Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

Watch: Relive the excitement of Baruch's 2026 Commencement.