Tulane hailed the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during Unified Commencement. With more than 2,000 graduates in attendance and thousands of family members and friends cheering from the stands at Caesars Superdome, the event marked the exciting culmination of Commencement weekend.
Tulane celebrated the Class of 2026 with an uplifting and memorable Unified Commencement at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, May 16, that recognized graduates’ achievements, innovations and bright futures in true New Orleans style.
More than 2,000 graduates and thousands of cheering family members and friends gathered for the unforgettable celebration, the grand finale of Commencement week following diploma, hooding and awards ceremonies that took place across campuses and across the city.
Graduates file onto the Superdome floor carrying the university’s ceremonial gonfalons, accompanied by Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band. Photo: Tyler Kaufman
Waving their second-line umbrellas adorned with symbols of their time at Tulane, excited graduates celebrate at the ceremony. Photo: Cheryl Gerber
The ceremony included live music from Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band, continuing a long-standing Commencement tradition rooted in New Orleans culture. White’s performance was highlighted by “The 2026 Shout,” an original piece he composed in honor of this year’s graduates. Photo: Kenny Lass
President Michael A. Fitts praised graduates for the creativity and collaborative spirit they developed during their time at the university, encouraging them to carry those qualities into the future.
Calling New Orleans a “cradle of ideas” and a “crescent of innovation,” Fitts highlighted the city’s influence on generations of Tulanians and celebrated alumni-led ventures ranging from groundbreaking medical discoveries to modern startups such as Glass Half Full, FanFix and Exactics, the diagnostic startup co-founded by Madeline “Dylan” Murray, who served as the Commencement student speaker.
Commencement student speaker Madeline "Dylan" Murray addresses graduates. Murray graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and computer science from the School of Science and Engineering. Photo: Kenny Lass
Along with numerous Commencement traditions, there was an updated twist to this year's celebration: LED wristbands worn by graduates that lit up the Superdome in shifting colors. Photo: Cheryl Gerber
Award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown delivered the keynote address, offering graduates advice on wellness, mindfulness, service and relationships. Brown encouraged students to prioritize their health, nurture meaningful connections and embrace community, reminding them that “thriving is a communal effort and not an individual achievement.”
“Our learning should ultimately lead us into a greater sense of connection with one another,” Brown said.
Sterling K. Brown, award-winning actor known for his performances in the television series “This Is Us” and his Oscar-nominated role in the film “American Fiction,” delivers the keynote address. Photo: Kenny Lass
Graduates traditionally pair their Commencement regalia with accessories symbolizing the milestones they achieved and the communities they formed during their time at Tulane. Photo: Cheryl Gerber
Following Brown’s remarks, Fitts presented him with the Tulane University President’s Medal and also conferred honorary degrees upon three extraordinary individuals for their remarkable achievements in science, scholarship and the arts. Honorary degree recipients included Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health; Bruce Frier, the John and Teresa D’Arms Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Classics and Roman Law at the University of Michigan; and Julie Greenwald, a Tulane alumna who served for two decades as chair of Atlantic Music Group.
Faculty awards were presented to Brooke Grant, Ross Klingsberg, Kate Adams, Katie Russell and Adam Feibelman.
Fitts honors Brown with the Tulane University President's Medal, which is awarded at the sole discretion of the president to individuals who have distinguished themselves by their actions and who have contributed to the well-being of Tulane University, the city of New Orleans or the world. Photo: Kenny Lass
Graduates turn the tassels on their mortarboards to commemorate their transitions from students to graduates. Photo: Kacie Fayard
This year’s Commencement blended beloved Tulane traditions with new elements, including synchronized LED wristbands that illuminated the Superdome in shifting colors throughout the event.
The ceremony concluded with a jubilant second line as graduates, wristbands aglow, danced and celebrated beneath the confetti-filled Superdome. Graduates held decorated parasols aloft, continuing a Tulane tradition that begins at Convocation, when first-year students receive plain white umbrellas, which they bring to Commencement adorned with mementos and symbols from their academic journey.
Excitement fills the air as graduates prepare to second line out of Caesars Superdome. Photo: Kenny Lass
The ceremony closes with a flurry of confetti, capping off academic careers filled with achievements and memories for the Class of 2026. Photo: Cheryl Gerber
Graduates gather outside of Caesars Superdome, celebrating their achievements with family and friends. Photo: Cheryl Gerber
