2026 Graduation Recognition Ceremony Email

Group of students in graduation gowns tossing their mortarboard hats into the sky

Dear Senior or Graduate, 

Congratulations on your graduation from the University of Kansas. We are so excited and proud of you for all that you have accomplished. We cordially invite you and your family to attend our Undergraduate Biology Graduation Recognition Ceremony for graduating biology majors. This ceremony will honor students planning to graduate in spring, summer, or fall 2026, as well as those who graduated in summer or fall 2025. 

This year, the Graduation Recognition Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Allen Fieldhouse.  Please wear your cap and gown to the event. Students will check in at 1:45 p.m. (check-in location will be shared soon). Please note that Allen Fieldhouse will be very warm. We strongly encourage graduates and guests to wear light clothing and guests to bring water. Water will be provided for graduates when they check in.

To help us plan and to be included in the printed program, please complete the RSVP form and submit it as soon as possible but no later than Monday, April 20th. If you miss the deadline, you may participate in the ceremony; however, it may not be possible to list your name in the biology program. 

The Biology faculty and staff enjoy the opportunity to congratulate you personally on your accomplishments and let your family know how much we have appreciated having you as part of KU Biology. During the ceremony, we will recognize each graduate individually; your name and the degree(s) you have earned will be announced as biology faculty leaders congratulate you. 

There is no limit on guests, but please include in your RSVP the number of anticipated guests that will be attending the ceremony to assist us in planning. Allen Fieldhouse is accessible, and details for accommodation requests are also in the RSVP form linked above. 

We will continue to update the KU Biology website for additional details regarding the ceremony, including student and guest entrances, parking, etc. Please do not hesitate to contact Lindsey Deaver, Associate Director of Undergraduate Biology, if you have any questions or if you need more information (785-864-7388; ldeaver@ku.edu). We hope to see you and your family at this event and look forward to sharing this exciting time with you. 

Sincerely,

Scott Hefty
Professor and Chair, Molecular Biosciences  

Lena Hileman
Professor and Chair, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology  

Brian Ackley
Co-Director, Undergraduate Biology
Associate Professor, Molecular Biosciences 

Justin Blumenstiel

Co-Director, Undergraduate Biology

Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology