Â鶹ÊÓƵ Celebrates the Class of 2026 at 167th Commencement Ceremony
MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Under clear blue skies and beautiful spring weather, Â鶹ÊÓƵ celebrated the Class of 2026 during its 167th Commencement Ceremony on May 9, 2026, at the Hawks Athletic Center.
Family members, friends, faculty, staff, trustees, and supporters gathered to honor 135 members of the Class of 2026 as they marked the culmination of years of academic achievement, personal growth, and perseverance.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ President Dr. Rosemary Thomas congratulated the graduates and reflected on the journeys that brought them to Commencement Day.
“It is a day to celebrate the accomplishments of you and your classmates,” Thomas said. “The road to this day has not always been one without interruptions, surprises, twists, and turns, but you made it.”
Thomas challenged graduates to carry forward the lessons they learned at Chowan and use them to make a positive impact in their communities and professions.
“Chowan did not teach you what to think, but rather how to think,” she said. “We are counting on you to be thoughtful, grounded individuals who are wise as they take their turn to shape this world.”
The ceremony celebrated students who distinguished themselves through academic excellence, leadership, service, athletics, faith, research, and artistic achievement. Graduates were recognized not only for earning their degrees but also for the contributions they made to campus life and the broader Chowan community.
They heard reflections from fellow graduates Gabriel Espiritu, Genesis Joyner, Destiny Makanjoula, Gracie Ross, and Darryl Swinson, who shared personal stories of growth, perseverance, faith, friendship, and achievement. Through their experiences, the student speakers encouraged classmates to pursue their goals with confidence, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ also recognized excellence among its faculty as Dr. Mary Mitchell received the 2025-26 Excellence in Teaching Award, one of the University’s highest honors for teaching and student engagement.
Selected by fellow faculty members, the award recognizes dedication to students, effectiveness in the classroom, continued professional growth, service to the University, and positive relationships with colleagues and students. Dr. Mitchell, who joined the Chowan faculty in 2022, was recognized for exemplifying these qualities and for her commitment to student success.
Dr. Antenette D. Stokes ’11, Chair of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Board of Visitors, challenged graduates to move forward with courage, purpose, and integrity.
“You earned resilience. You earned perspective. You earned the ability to navigate hard conversations, uncertain moments, and evolving spaces with strength and clarity,” Stokes said. “That is the real power of your education.”
As the Class of 2026 turned their tassels and celebrated this milestone achievement, they prepared to begin new chapters in careers, graduate programs, ministry, military service, and communities across the country.
“Life is good, and it is about to take 135 different directions for this group,” Thomas said. “The future is bright because of your commitment to the values of faith, inclusion, imagination, and engagement.”
The 167th Commencement Ceremony served as a celebration of achievement, resilience, and possibility as Â鶹ÊÓƵ sent forth another class prepared to lead lives of purpose, faith, and impact.
You can view the live stream and photos at
About Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Founded in 1848, Â鶹ÊÓƵ is a Christian liberal arts university located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Chowan is committed to developing the whole person through faith, service, leadership, and academic excellence, preparing students for meaningful careers and purposeful lives.