UCR School of Business Commencement 2026
UC Riverside School of Business celebrated the Class of 2026 at the campus’ 72nd Commencement on June 16, 6 p.m.
About 1,000 graduates and 7,000 in-person guests participated in the ceremony, welcomed and guided by school and campus event ambassadors.
Commencement Open House Celebration
The festivities began with a Commencement Reception for graduates and their families at the School of Business building at 10 a.m. They were greeted by faculty and staff, clapping for them as they walked up the steps and into the lobby. Food and refreshments abounded while students showed their families the building and introduced them to advisors, friends, and professors.
Commencement Ceremony at Toyota Arena
Then it was off to the Toyota Arena in Ontario for the 6 p.m. ceremony. While guests found their seats, a video compilation of student experiences played. Silence descended when the UCR Pipe and Drum band began playing and ceremony Grand Marshal Kenneth Barish followed by graduate student marshal Anshuman Chiplunkar and undergraduate student marshal Ishya Cherukupalli led the graduates onto the arena floor to “Pomp and Circumstance.” The faculty and staff procession, led by UCR’s Pipe Band, were the last to enter and make their way to the platform. Dean Yunzeng Wang presided over the ceremony.
Graduate student speaker Austin Bauman shared how this MBA program helped him find direction and develop key leadership and people skills. Srivani Kollu, the undergraduate speaker, received resounding applause as she shared that she was the first person in her family to graduate in the United States, a similar story to many others in the arena. Speeches were followed by the conferring of degrees and the reading of the graduate’s names. This year’s tassel turner, Undergraduate Chief Ambassador Shayla Michel, led the graduates in moving the mortar board tassel from the right to the left, signifying the milestone achievement of earning their degree. The ceremony concluded with the singing of UCR’s Alma Mater, “Hail Fair UCR,” and the recessional.
UCR BUSINESS Commencement 2026 Program (PDF)
Resources
Photos from the ceremony may be found on the school Flickr account. A highlight video can be seen and shared on YouTube, and the full-length ceremony recording is also available on the School of Business Commencement page, as well as more resources.
Congratulations again, Class of 2026!
Watch Commencement 2026 Highlights on YouTube
Watch the full recording of Commencement 2026