The University of Maine will celebrate the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies May 8-9 in Orono, followed by the University of Maine at Machias ceremony on May 10.
Whether you’re a graduating student, family member, friend or longtime Black Bear, UMaine News is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about this year’s ceremonies — from ceremony schedules to speakers, parking and more.
Here’s what to expect for commencement weekend. This guide will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
When are the UMaine undergraduate commencement ceremonies?
The 224rd undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 9 in the newly renovated Harold Alfond Sports Arena.
Which colleges are included in each ceremony?
The morning ceremony (9:30 a.m.) will celebrate graduates from:
- The College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences.
- The Maine Business School.
- The Division of Lifelong Learning.
The afternoon ceremony (2:30 p.m.) will celebrate graduates from:
- The Maine College of Engineering and Computing.
- The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- The College of Education and Human Development.
Do guests need tickets to attend UMaine’s undergraduate ceremonies?
Yes. Both undergraduate ceremonies are ticketed. Each graduate receives five tickets for family and friends.
After applying to graduate, students receive ticket instructions via their @maine.edu email. The ticket claim form was March 23, and the deadline to claim the initial five tickets is April 12.
After April 12, the university will determine whether additional tickets are available. If so, graduates may request up to five more tickets, though availability is not guaranteed. A request form will be sent April 20, and any additional tickets will be distributed first come, first served.
Questions about tickets can be directed to um.tickets@maine.edu.
Who is the undergraduate commencement speaker?
Award-winning television actor and UMaine alumnus Timothy Simons will deliver the undergraduate commencement address for both ceremonies on May 9.
Simons, a 2001 graduate and native of Readfield, Maine, studied theater at UMaine before building a career in television and film. He is best known for his role as Jonah Ryan on HBO’s political satire “Veep,” which ran for seven seasons and won multiple Emmy Awards.
More recently, Simons received a Critics Choice Award nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as Sasha in the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This.”
Read the full story here.
When is the Graduate School ceremony?
The Graduate School ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. on May 8 in the Alfond Arena.
Students who earned a doctorate, master’s degree, education specialist degree or certificate of advanced study will be recognized during the ceremony.
No tickets are required for guests to attend.
More information is available on the Graduate School Commencement website. Additional details will be released at a later date.
Who are the Graduate School commencement speakers?
Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding, co-founders of the UMaine spinout Marin Skincare, will deliver the address at the Graduate School commencement ceremony on May 8.
Boutiette and Breeding met while studying biomedical engineering at UMaine. Working with research from the UMaine Lobster Institute, they explored how marine glycoproteins — a natural byproduct of lobster processing — could help repair the skin barrier. Their work led to the founding of Marin, a Portland-based skincare company that develops products using upcycled lobster-derived glycoproteins.
The company launched its first product, Soothing Hydration Cream, in 2020 and quickly sold out of its initial inventory. Marin has since expanded its product line and retail partnerships while continuing to collaborate with Maine’s lobster industry and build the company in the state.
Today, Marin is a growing Maine brand with national distribution and partnerships with retailers including L.L.Bean and Sea Bags.
Read the full story here.
Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?
Yes. Livestreams will be available for those who cannot attend in person, allowing family and friends to watch the ceremonies online.
How does parking and transportation work?
Parking will be available on campus and shuttle buses will run between parking areas and the Alfond Arena during commencement events to help transport guests to the ceremony location.
Who is receiving an honorary degree from UMaine?
UMaine will award an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Carol A. Dana, a leading steward of the Penobscot language whose decades of work have helped preserve and revitalize it.
Dana, a language master with the Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department, has spent decades teaching the language to learners of all ages and helping pass it on to future generations.
A UMaine alumna, Dana earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1991 and a master’s degree in education in 2008. She has helped develop a standardized writing system for Penobscot, contributed to a bilingual dictionary and created educational materials for students.
Read the full story here.
Who is this year’s Distinguished Maine Professor?
Mohamad Musavi, senior associate dean and professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Maine Professor Award.
The Distinguished Maine Professor Award recognizes a member of the UMaine faculty for outstanding teaching, research and service to the university and the state of Maine. Recipients are selected through a campuswide process that highlights faculty members whose work has had a lasting impact on students, scholarship and the broader community.
Musavi, a longtime member of the UMaine faculty, has contributed extensively to the university through his work in engineering education, research and academic leadership.
Read the full story here.
When is the UMaine Machias ceremony?
UMaine Machias will hold its 115th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, at the Reynolds Center Gymnasium.
Graduates from the UMaine Machias Class of 2026 will be recognized during the ceremony.
Seating is first come, first served for guests.
More information is available on the UMaine Machias commencement website. Additional details will be released at a later date.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
