As spring skies cleared over Marietta College’s historic campus on the afternoon of Saturday, May 9, members of the Class of 2026 gathered with family, friends, faculty and alumni to celebrate a milestone years in the making.
Earlier in the day, graduates and their families gathered for The Long Blue Line Brunch, a longstanding Commencement tradition hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Marietta College Alumni Association Council. The celebration, held in Fenton Court in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, welcomed graduates with remarks, student recognitions, and a performance by the Floodstage ensemble.
“The Long Blue Line Brunch symbolizes our graduates’ official welcome into The Long Blue Line, Marietta College’s global alumni network,” said Vice President for Advancement Bethany McFarland Leslie ’12. “It’s a meaningful tradition that reflects the enduring relationships and lifelong connections our graduates will continue to share with Marietta College and with one another.”
During the brunch program, Director of Alumni Engagement Gi Smith reflected on the friendships, mentorship and experiences graduates built throughout their time at Marietta, encouraging members of the Class of 2026 to remain engaged with one another and with the College as they step boldly into their futures. She reminded graduates that their Marietta experience was built on three core promises: an outstanding liberal arts education, meaningful experiential learning opportunities, and the lasting connections shared across generations of Pioneer alumni. Smith noted that while those friendships and experiences endure, maintaining them requires purposeful effort and that Marietta College will always be a place they can call home.
At 1 p.m., graduates processed into the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center for the College’s 189th Commencement, as family and friends looked on. More than 200 graduates received degrees during the ceremony, which honored achievement, persistence, leadership, and the experiences that shaped the Class of 2026 throughout their time at Marietta.
“Your education will change the trajectory of your life in ways that you cannot now know,” said Marietta College President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty. “I hope that what you've been gaining here at Marietta, in addition to a great education and the opportunity to grow in knowledge and skills, is an understanding of the importance of community and the realization that we all grow stronger together. It's an honor to celebrate today the strength of our community that has allowed each and every one of you to have tremendous personal success.”
Commencement also continued one of the College’s longest-standing traditions through the Jewett Speech Competition, which selects graduating seniors to deliver Commencement addresses on behalf of their graduating class.
First-place winner Katherine O. Taylor, who earned a Bachelor of Science in health science, delivered her oration titled “This Is It,” encouraging graduates to recognize the significance of everyday moments, embrace new opportunities and remain present as they move into the future.
“The moments that shape us are rarely the ones that we plan for. They are the ones that feel ordinary while we're living in them,” Taylor said. “I found a community here at Marietta College that welcomed me with open arms, a family. I showed up to class on the first day, unbeknownst to me that some of the people that I met that day would become some of the most important in my life now. Through all of these small, seemingly insignificant moments, I was led to meet people in this campus from all walks of life who I'm so honored to be graduating with. Allow yourself to fully take in this moment and all of the little details that come with it. Congratulations, class of 2026.”
Second-place winner Kanae Yoshida, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies, presented her speech “Knocking on The Door,” reflecting on perseverance, access and the courage to pursue what comes next.
“We are not here only because we are lucky. We are here because we worked for it. Because people believed in us, because we chose education and we chose courage over comfort,” Yoshida said. “Every one of you here is stronger than the person who first knocked at the Marietta College door. Now you hold that golden key.”
Throughout the ceremony, the Marietta College Symphonic Band and Concert Choir performed musical selections, including the traditional processional and recessional, the college hymn, “Psalm 90,” and the alma mater, “Time-Honored Marietta.” The choir also performed “Holding the Light,” a piece centered on compassion, resilience, and connection.
Commencement recognized excellence, leadership, and service through academic prizes and awards. During the ceremony, 24 academic prizes and awards were presented to students and faculty. The program also included 13 capstone awards and recognition of students across 20 academic honor societies.
The Dave & Calla Hood Outstanding Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Amy C. Elliott, dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business, in recognition of excellence in teaching and campus involvement, as selected by students.
The College also recognized Dr. Brian J. Rider, assistant professor of education, as the recipient of The John G. and Jeanne B. McCoy Endowment for Teaching Excellence.
Breanna C. Herrick was named Class of 2026 valedictorian with a cumulative GPA of 4.0, while Jared S. Trenner was named salutatorian with a cumulative GPA of 3.996. Herrick earned a Bachelor of Arts in special education/elementary dual preparation, and Trenner earned a Bachelor of Science in sports medicine.
Ahead of the Conference of Degrees, the commencement address was delivered by Megs J. Schreck Yunn, a 2006 graduate of Marietta College and founder and executive director of Beverly’s PGH, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting families through its Birthdays, Babies, and Basics initiatives.
During her address, Yunn encouraged graduates to welcome life’s defining moments, remain open to unexpected opportunities and lead with compassion and connection. Reflecting on memories from her own time at Marietta and the experiences that shaped her career and purpose, she reminded graduates to stay grounded in the moments that define their lives.
“Today, you join The Long Blue Line. You are now a part of the story of this place. You leave as pioneers, not because you have everything figured out, but because you are willing to go forward anyway. So, as you step into what comes next, I hope you carry this with you,” Yunn said. “We just get one life. Take a bite out of it. Build a happy heart. Be present in your moments because they don't stay moments for long. They become memories.”
For many graduates, Commencement marked not only the completion of their degrees but also the beginning of new opportunities formed by relationships, mentorship, and experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Kelsey L. Bowman, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in marketing, looks forward to the future. She secured a full-time position prior to graduation, as the marketing supervisor at Grimm Scientific Industries right here in Marietta.
“Marietta’s intimate campus environment and small class sizes have been a true blessing. The personalized support allowed me to build relationships with several mentors who have pushed me to excel,” said Bowman. “Their guidance was instrumental in helping me secure a post-graduate position before I even crossed the stage. I truly feel that my time here and the experiences I’ve gained have paved the way for a smooth transition into my career. I feel incredibly well-prepared for this next chapter, and I am deeply grateful to the friends, professors, and mentors who supported me throughout this journey.”
Bryce G. Moyers, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in finance and management, will join Royse Partners Limited in Houston, Texas, full-time as a financial analyst. He has served as a financial analyst intern with the firm since 2024.
“I am truly grateful for the support, encouragement, and sense of community that have helped shape my college journey. I am proud to join The Long Blue Line and will always be thankful to be a Pioneer,” Moyers said.
The Commencement celebration continued Sunday afternoon with a special ceremony honoring six graduates who are members of the men’s rowing team, who were unable to participate in Saturday’s events due to competition commitments at the Dad Vail Regatta in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
With diplomas in hand and cheers from loved ones surrounding them, members of the Class of 2026 officially joined generations of Pioneer alumni who continue to lead and serve in communities across the country and around the world.