Seniors (Class of 2026)

This is the final chapter of our undergraduate careers at Ohio Wesleyan University! For all of us, it has taken hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to reach this point. Please see the information below regarding some of the special events that will help to make our last year unforgettable.

All of the events and celebrations listed below are being supported by University Advancement and Student Engagement & Success.

Senior Events For The Year*: 

• August 20, 2025
  • First day of classes photo stop 📷
    • 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. outside of the Mowry Alumni Center
  • Senior Welcome-Back reception and champagne toast 🥂
    • 6:00 p.m. on the Hickson Patio outside of Bradford Milligan Hall. Please bring your ID.
• September 15-20, 2025
  • Homecoming events 🏈❤️🖤
• September 18, 2025
  
  • OWU Connection Conference 🧑🏻‍🏫
    • 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. across campus
• October 2025
  • Resume Power Hour with Career Connection ✍️
    • Details to come!
  • Real Life 101 Program Info Sessions
    • Details to come!
  • Demystifying the Grad/Professional School Path with Career Connection 🎓
    • Details to come!
  • Gap Year Fair 📅
    • Details to come!
  • Speed Mock Interview Event with Career Connection 💬
    • 6:00-7:45 p.m. in HWCC Benes Rooms
• December 1, 2025
  
  • A Cup-Full of Gratitude - Free Hot Chocolate ☕
    • 8:00-10:00 a.m. outside of the Mowry Alumni Center
  • Annual Hudler Tree Lighting 🎄
    • 6:30 p.m. on the Sturges lawn
• January 2026
  • Weekly electronic newsletters to seniors who have applied to graduate in 2026 ✉️
• January 13, 2026 
  • Spring Semester Kickoff - Ribbon Cutting at The 1842🌱
    • 5:30 p.m. at The 1842
    • All seniors attending will get a free reusable beverage cup
• January 29, 2026
  • ***100 Days Until Commencement***
  • Real Life 101 Kickoff Event
    • 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the HWCC Benes Rooms
    • Please register to be part of this program
• February 3-6, 2026
  • Student Philanthropy Tabling 💗
    • 12-1:00 p.m. in the HWCC lobby
    • Stop by to learn about We Are OWU and how you can make an impact on campus through your senior class gift.
• February 18 & 19, 2026
  
  • We Are OWU Tabling ❤️🖤
    • 12:00-1:00 p.m. in HWCC Atrium 
    • Come be part of the fun during our annual day of giving. Win swag and name a campus squirrel 🐿️ Yes, really!
• February 23, 2026
  • ***75 Days Until Commencement***
• February 26, 2025
  • Spring 2026 OWU Connection Conference 🔗
    • Campus-wide opportunities - check link above for details
  • Career & Summer Internship Fair 💼
• March 2026
  • Application opens for all graduating seniors to apply to be the student Commencement speaker 🧑🏼‍🎓
  • Alumni Board of Directors Position Information Session 🙋🏼
    • Details to come!
    • Applications and nominations go live for seniors to apply and submit nomination forms. 
  • Graduating Class Trustee Info Session 👏

    • Informational meeting for all interested candidates

    • Details to come!
  • Senior Class 50 Day Kick Off Party ⏰
    • Details to come!
    • Join your classmates to celebrate 50 days until Commencement 
• March 20, 2026
  • ***50 Days Until Commencement*** 
• April 9, 2026
  • Almost Alumni Event with the Alumni Board and Student Commencement Speaker Announcement 🔊
    • Details to come!
• April 11, 2026
  • Opening reception for the Fine Art senior art exhibition, Ross Art Museum 🖼️
    • 5 - 7:00 p.m. in the Richard M. Ross Art Museum
• April 14, 2026
  
  • ***25 days until Commencement***
  • Countdown to Commencement ☑️
    • 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in Merrick Hall 301
    • This mandatory event is your graduation checklist to make sure you are prepared to leave OWU. Come and go as your schedule allows.
    • Vote for the Class of 2026 t-shirt design!
• April 26, 2026
  • President's Ball 💃
    • 8 - 9:00 p.m. Senior Cocktail hour in the Benes Rooms
    • 9 - 11:30 p.m. on the JAYwalk (Benes Rooms is rain location)
• May 7, 2026
  • Commencement Rehearsal, (Mandatory for seniors walking at Commencement) 📋
    • Graduate check-in 3:30 p.m. at Branch Rickey Arena
    • Class Photo
  • Final Lap and senior party, immediately following Commencement Rehearsal 🎉
    
    • Pick up your senior T-shirt
    • Food, drinks, and more!
• May 8, 2026
  • Phi Beta Kappa Ceremony at Gray Chapel
  • Phi Beta Kappa Luncheon at the Benes Rooms
  • Baccalaurate 🙏
    • 7:00 p.m. in Gray Chapel
• May 9, 2026
  • Senior/Family Brunch Open House (Sponsored by the President's Office) 🥞
    • 9 - 11:00 a.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center (Benes Rooms)
    • Graduating Seniors, Bring Your Family and Enjoy Brunch!
      Please stop by for a brunch open house honoring the Class of 2026 and their families on Commencement morning, May 11, between 9-11 a.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center (Benes Rooms), 40 Rowland Avenue.
  • Graduate line-up 👨‍🎓👩🏽‍🎓
    • 11:30 a.m. on the Labyrinth-Sulphur Spring walkway behind Phillips Hall (if indoors, in Branch Rickey Arena). 
  • Commencement Ceremony📜
    • 1:00 p.m. on the Rock Quad (Gordon Field House if inclement weather)
  • Department Receptions 🎈
    • Details to come!

*All events are subject to change. Please watch your email, social media, OWU Daily, and this page for event information

Stay tuned for additional information about exclusive Class of 2026 gear from the OWU Bookstore and the opportunity to select your class speaker for Commencement.

Senior Class Gift - An OWU Tradition

With your senior class gift, you can support an area that's meaningful to you (scholarships, your major, athletics teams, etc.) and continue the legacy of senior class philanthropy. Make your gift of $20.26 to receive a senior donor cord for Commencement. 

You can make your gift securely online here. Or, mail a check to: Ohio Wesleyan University, University Advancement, 61 S. Sandusky St. Delaware, OH 43015.

Stay Connected

  Follow the OWU Alumni Instagram page! Fun content relevant to your senior year and beyond.

        Follow Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni, Family & Friends on LinkedIn

  Join the conversation in the Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Group on LinkedIn 

 Watch for email updates from classof2026@owu.edu

Visit OWU Career Connection to revise your resume/CV, develop an exceptional cover letter and/or personal statement, and explore career options, skills, & values.