Dickinson Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Commencement
Commencement 2026.
Video by Joe O'Neill
498 Members of the Class of 2026 Descend Old Stone Steps to Become Dickinson Graduates
Dickinson’s 2026 Commencement ceremony celebrated the 498 members of the graduating class of 2026 Sunday, May 17. Addressing the graduates, Commencement speaker Sarah Kersh, associate professor of English, urged them to embrace not only their successes but also their failures as they move forward.
“What I love most about Dickinson College is our commitment to human possibility, to the complex, open mesh of possibilities that makes each one of you so unique,” she said, challenging the graduates to transcend traditional notions of achievement as they embrace that humanity. “Let’s disrupt the language of failure and success and leave understanding that you are worth so much more than the tallies of your productivity. Instead, let us revel in our shared humanity.”
Associate Professor of English Sarah Kersh addresses the class of 2026. Photo by Dan Loh.
Student Speaker's Address
The student speaker for the class of 2026, Denys Sharpylo ’26 (data analytics, quantitative economics), celebrated Dickinson’s supportive community in his address. Chosen by a committee of faculty and classmates, Sharpylo reflected on his doubts and fears as an international college student from Ukraine, struggling with fears not only about his coursework but also about the safety of his family and friends.
“I found myself in challenging situations, in the arena, many times at Dickinson—moments when the accumulation of responsibilities led to crippling doubt, when I asked myself questions like, ‘Can I really do this?’ ‘Am I good enough for this?’ ” he said, noting how looking around at his classmates always pushed him to persevere. “My experiences here helped me realize that I won’t be doing this thing called life by myself … That is the essence, the beauty, of this community. Dickinson turned our imperfections and vulnerabilities into trust. We forged bonds stronger than we could ever imagine. Shared struggles and challenges brought us closer, which also made shared successes feel so much better.”
Recognition and Awards
From left: Ella Piergrossi and Carys Chase-Mayoral pose with President Jones after being recognized as the winners of awards for high academic standing and scholarly achievement. Photo by Dan Loh.
During the ceremony, the college also honored outstanding students and faculty for their contributions to Dickinson. Ella Piergrossi (physics), earned the James Fowler Rusling Prize for scholarly achievement, while Carys Chase-Mayoral (music, physics) received the John Patton Memorial Prize for High Scholastic Standing. The William F. Hufstader Senior Prizes, which are given to seniors who have made significant contributions to the college community, were awarded to Sharpylo and Amelia Kostin (American studies).
William F. Hufstader Senior Prize winners Amelia Kostin and Denys Sharpylo, who was also the student Commencement speaker, pose with President Jones. Photo by Dan Loh.
Emily Pawley, associate professor of history and Walter E. Beach '56 Chair in Sustainability Studies, received the Constance and Rose Ganoe Memorial Award for Inspirational Teaching, an honor determined by votes from the senior class. Anthony Miller (quantitative economics) was named the Young Alumni Trustee and will represent young alumni on Dickinson’s Board of Trustees for the next two years.
Honorary Degrees & Rose-Walters Prize
The honorary degree recipients, (from left) Kevin B. Johnson ’83, John Pohl ’78, P’06, Charlie Craig ’65, P’89, and Susan Wyckoff Pohl ’80, P’06, pose together before the ceremony. Photo by Dan Loh.
Dickinson also awarded honorary degrees to four distinguished alumni. Charlie Craig ’65, P’89, a retired senior executive with a distinguished 50-year career at Corning Inc., received an honorary Doctor of Chemistry degree, while Kevin B. Johnson ’83, an international leader in clinical information technology, was given an honorary Doctor of Medicine degree. John Pohl ’78, P’06, and Susan Wyckoff Pohl ’80, P’06, the founders of the Moraine Foundation, received an honorary Doctor of Photography degree and an honorary Doctor of Arctic & Polar Studies degree, respectively.
This year's Sam Rose ’58 and Julie Walters Prize at Dickinson College for Global Environmental Activism was awarded to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, policy expert, writer and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. Johnson will return to campus for a residency during the 2026-27 academic year.
Julie Walters (left), Rose-Walters prize winner Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (second from left) and Constance and Rose Ganoe Memorial Award winner Emily Pawley (right) pose with President Jones. Photo by Dan Loh.
Following a long-held college tradition, Commencement ended with the graduates walking down Old West’s "old stone steps" to complete the journey they began four years ago by walking up those steps to sign in to the college. Before they did so, President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, wished them well and challenged them to use their Dickinson educations to shape a brighter future for us all.
“It is time for you to engage the world,” he said. “Dickinson informs us that it is not simply your right but your duty to do so. … Know this: It is not the angriest social media post or the loudest and most offensive voices that will truly make a difference, but rather it is the wiser, quieter and principled voices of reason that will carry the day. I am confident that you will be those voices. Congratulation to the mighty class of 2026. Now, get out there and change the world.”
View more photos on the college's Facebook page.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published May 17, 2026