University marks 118th commencement ceremonies

Spring 2026 Commencement, Spring Commencement, Graduation, Students, College of Arts and Sciences, ExtraMile Arena, Photo by Torin Alm

Over the weekend, family and friends filled ExtraMile Arena for four ceremonies to celebrate Boise State University graduates. In all, 3,403 students who finished their coursework in spring 2026 were eligible for 4,428 degrees and certificates. They join more than 180,000 living alumni of Boise State.

"Graduates, Boise State University is better because of you. You are part of the fabric of this institution, woven into its story, its spirit, and its future," said Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, Boise State's Interim President and Vice President for Student Affairs. "We are so proud to call you Broncos, and even prouder to welcome you alumni of Boise State University."

Spring Commencement Ceremony, Doctoral and Graduate Degrees, photo by Priscilla Grover

For the first time ever, master's and doctoral graduates celebrated together during their own ceremony. Samantha Lords, earning a Master of Arts in Counseling, represented the Graduate College as the student speaker. Lords earned a 3.93 GPA and has taken on leadership roles within Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society.

"You do not have to be okay all the time," Lords encouraged students in her address. "We are humans. We are going to make mistakes, and things are going to get messy. Not only is it okay to not be okay, it is empowering to know that you are not alone."

Graduates were represented by three exceptional student speakers: Diana Colis, Natalie Ayala and Isaac Celedon.

Diana Colis

In her speech, Colis - a sociology major who built a reputation at Boise State as a pillar of support for her fellow first-generation students - reassured graduates about their ability to thrive in a new stage of life.

"Soon we will enter our first year of employment, our first year of traveling, our first year of independence truly exercised," Colis said. "Remember, we've been here before. As we become 'first years' yet again, let me leave you with this: always ask questions without fear, take in every moment preciously as if everything is new, and seek truth outside of yourself to best understand your internal identity."

Ayala, a mechanical engineering student graduating with a 4.0 GPA and experience interning for NASA, focused her address on courage - "daring greatly" to persevere through uncertainty.

Natalie Ayala

"Our success isn't just individual; it's an inspiration for others," Ayala said. "When you're the first in your family to graduate, you're opening doors. When you succeed in your field, you're changing who belongs there. When you dare greatly, you inspire others to do the same."

Celedon, an economics and political science graduate who served as student body president for two years, encouraged graduates to pursue personal growth over titles.

Isaac Celedon

"Keep showing up. Keep learning from people. And keep caring about something bigger than yourself," Celedon said. "Because in the end, your life won't be defined by a title. It will be defined by the people you impacted - and the people who impacted you."

Boise State also recognized Bruce Newcomb with an Honorary Doctor of Laws at the ceremony. Honorary doctoral degrees recognize individuals of outstanding accomplishment in scholarship, creativity, public service, education or contributions to human welfare. Newcomb spent nearly two decades in the Idaho House of Representatives, rising through leadership ranks to serve as speaker of the House from 1998 to 2006. Following his legislative career, Newcomb brought his experience in state government to Boise State, where he became director of government relations and special advisor to President Bob Kustra.

Bruce Newcomb

"I can tell you there is no finer example of a great man than my good friend, my best friend, Bruce Newcomb," said U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson. "I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Bruce for over 40 years. In that time I've known him in several capacities - as a rancher, a state legislator, as the majority leader when I was speaker and Speaker of the House himself, and then as the government affairs relation for Boise State University. I've seen him as a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a brother but the role I know him best at is my friend and the friend of many that meet him."

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