Nearly 5,000 Loyola University Chicago graduates to take the stage during 2026 commencement ceremonies

Loyola University Chicago will confer degrees on approximately 4,900 undergraduate and graduate students throughout its 156th annual Commencement Week from Tuesday, May 5, through Saturday, May 9, held at Gentile Arena on the Lake Shore Campus, with an additional ceremony for Arrupe College on Saturday, August 15.

This year’s graduating class represents 49 states and 89 countries. More than half of the graduates are from Illinois. Among the undergraduates, psychology is the most popular major by graduating size, followed by biology. Among professional and graduate degrees, law is the most popular by graduating size, followed by social work.

Alongside the ceremonies, many schools, colleges, institutes, and University departments will host distinct receptions and academic events honoring student achievements. More than 26,000 family members, friends, and guests are expected on campus to celebrate the occasion.

Twelve esteemed individuals will deliver keynote speeches at the ceremonies for the graduates of Loyola’s colleges, schools, and institutes, including several distinguished Loyola alumni, such as Kelly Younger (MA ’96), screenwriter, television writer, and Loyola Marymount University professor of English; Lou Canellis (BA ’87), NBC 5 Chicago sports anchor and Avli Foods chairman; and Laura Ferrio (MBA ’93, MSN ’93), Shirley Ryan AbilityLab senior vice president and chief operating officer.

The University announced in March that it will confer the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on The Honorable Fay Hartog-Levin (JD ’75) in recognition of her enduring commitment to justice, ethical leadership, and the common good. She is a distinguished fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where she works on political, international, and environmental issues, and serves as vice chair of the Council’s board of directors. From 2009 to 2011, Hartog-Levin served as the 65th United States ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Complete details of the graduation events are posted, and livestreams of the ceremonies will be shared to LUC.edu/commencement.