Largest Class in 158 Years: Morgan State University Readies for Historic Spring Commencement
Morgan State University welcomes another historic milestone for Maryland’s designated preeminent public urban research university with its upcoming 149th Spring Commencement ceremony scheduled for this Saturday, May 16, 2026. In the assembly of University officials, faculty and its Board of Regents at W.A.C. Hughes Memorial Stadium on the University’s campus, Morgan will celebrate a series of crowning achievements this commencement season that underscore the University’s standing as a nationally recognized public, four-year institution and an ascendant Carnegie-classified research university. Among the highlights:
• Bryan Stevenson Keynote – Public interest lawyer, author, social justice advocate, and founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Bryan Stevenson will serve as the keynote and receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his transformative contributions to justice, equity and human rights.
• Morgan’s largest graduating class in university history – 1,260 degrees earned represents a 23% increase over Spring 2025, signaling marked increases at all levels. The year-over-year percentage increase for earned bachelor’s degrees stands at 17%, awarded master’s degrees increased by 45%, and conferred doctoral degrees increased by 35%.
• Morgan State University’s 50th Anniversary Class—Members of the Class of 1976 will be in attendance, honoring their “Golden Anniversary." The Class of 1976 is the first graduating class to matriculate from Morgan under the University’s current name: Morgan State University.
• The National Treasure: Baltimore’s Crown Jewel for Graduation Coverage – Perennially taking place on the third Saturday in May, Morgan’s Commencement ceremony takes the rail from the starting gate each graduation season.
WHEN:
2026 Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Procession promptly begins at 9:20 a.m.
Commencement Exercises officially begin at 10:00 a.m.
WHO:
• Morgan State University Class of 2026 Graduates
• David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University
• Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
WHERE:
W.A.C. Hughes Memorial Stadium 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Parking: Commons Garage (University Student Center)
Additional Parking Available
• Bryan Stevenson Keynote – Public interest lawyer, author, social justice advocate, and founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Bryan Stevenson will serve as the keynote and receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his transformative contributions to justice, equity and human rights.
• Morgan’s largest graduating class in university history – 1,260 degrees earned represents a 23% increase over Spring 2025, signaling marked increases at all levels. The year-over-year percentage increase for earned bachelor’s degrees stands at 17%, awarded master’s degrees increased by 45%, and conferred doctoral degrees increased by 35%.
• Morgan State University’s 50th Anniversary Class—Members of the Class of 1976 will be in attendance, honoring their “Golden Anniversary." The Class of 1976 is the first graduating class to matriculate from Morgan under the University’s current name: Morgan State University.
• The National Treasure: Baltimore’s Crown Jewel for Graduation Coverage – Perennially taking place on the third Saturday in May, Morgan’s Commencement ceremony takes the rail from the starting gate each graduation season.
WHEN:
2026 Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Procession promptly begins at 9:20 a.m.
Commencement Exercises officially begin at 10:00 a.m.
WHO:
• Morgan State University Class of 2026 Graduates
• David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University
• Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
WHERE:
W.A.C. Hughes Memorial Stadium 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Parking: Commons Garage (University Student Center)
Additional Parking Available
