This gallery of photos showcases the achievements of Penn State graduates during summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15, 2026, when the University reached a historic milestone: awarding its one millionth degree.
Academics
In photos: Summer commencement 2026
Penn State awarded its one millionth degree during commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15
A graduate poses for loved ones in the audience during Penn State's summer undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
A group of master's degree graduates poses for a photo right before the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School master's degree commencement ceremony, held on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Nichole Lupo / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate listens to remarks made during Penn State's summer 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony, held Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate takes a selfie after crossing the stage during Penn State's undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sojung Baek, who earned a doctorate in anthropology, is hooded by her faculty advisors, Mary Shenk, head of the Department of Anthropology, and David Puts, professor of anthropology and psychology, during the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School doctoral degree commencement ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Liam Jackson / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi leads the celebration of a historic milestone during summer commencement on Aug. 15, 2026, when the University awarded its one millionth degree. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
Levon T. Esters, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Fox Graduate School, commemorates the awarding of the one millionth Penn State degree by capturing the moment via a selfie with all graduating doctoral degree students at the conclusion of the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School doctoral degree commencement ceremony, held on Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Nichole Lupo / Penn State. Creative Commons
Friends and family members celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates — as well as the one millionth degree milestone — during Penn State's summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate is all smiles after crossing the stage during Penn State's summer undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
A doctoral degree graduate poses for the camera during the Penn State Alumni Association's August Grad Pop-Up event on Aug. 14, ahead of summer commencement ceremonies. Graduating students were invited to bring their cap and gown to the Hintz Alumni Center at University Park for complimentary graduation photos. The University reached a historic milestone when it awarded its millionth degree on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Steve Tressler, Vista Pro Studios . All Rights Reserved.
A master's degree graduate poses for the camera during the Penn State Alumni Association's August Grad Pop-Up event on Aug. 14, ahead of summer commencement ceremonies. Graduating students were invited to bring their cap and gown to the Hintz Alumni Center at University Park for complimentary graduation photos. Credit: Steve Tressler, Vista Pro Studios . All Rights Reserved.
A graduate poses for loved ones in the audience during Penn State's summer undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
A group of master's degree graduates poses for a photo right before the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School master's degree commencement ceremony, held on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Nichole Lupo / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate listens to remarks made during Penn State's summer 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony, held Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate takes a selfie after crossing the stage during Penn State's undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Sojung Baek, who earned a doctorate in anthropology, is hooded by her faculty advisors, Mary Shenk, head of the Department of Anthropology, and David Puts, professor of anthropology and psychology, during the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School doctoral degree commencement ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Liam Jackson / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi leads the celebration of a historic milestone during summer commencement on Aug. 15, 2026, when the University awarded its one millionth degree. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
Levon T. Esters, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Fox Graduate School, commemorates the awarding of the one millionth Penn State degree by capturing the moment via a selfie with all graduating doctoral degree students at the conclusion of the summer 2026 Fox Graduate School doctoral degree commencement ceremony, held on Aug. 15 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Credit: Nichole Lupo / Penn State. Creative Commons
Friends and family members celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates — as well as the one millionth degree milestone — during Penn State's summer commencement ceremonies on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
A graduate is all smiles after crossing the stage during Penn State's summer undergraduate commencement ceremony on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Michael Owen / Penn State. Creative Commons
A doctoral degree graduate poses for the camera during the Penn State Alumni Association's August Grad Pop-Up event on Aug. 14, ahead of summer commencement ceremonies. Graduating students were invited to bring their cap and gown to the Hintz Alumni Center at University Park for complimentary graduation photos. The University reached a historic milestone when it awarded its millionth degree on Aug. 15, 2026. Credit: Steve Tressler, Vista Pro Studios . All Rights Reserved.
A master's degree graduate poses for the camera during the Penn State Alumni Association's August Grad Pop-Up event on Aug. 14, ahead of summer commencement ceremonies. Graduating students were invited to bring their cap and gown to the Hintz Alumni Center at University Park for complimentary graduation photos. Credit: Steve Tressler, Vista Pro Studios . All Rights Reserved.
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