Grove City College will hold its 146th Commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9 with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul delivering the commencement address to the Class of 2026.
The college will confer 545 undergraduate and graduate degrees at Commencement. Fifty-two percent of the Class of 2026 will graduate with honors, with 88 students earning summa cum laude status.
Paul (R-Ky.) will make “The Case for Optimism” in his address. Now in his third term in the Senate, Paul has established a national reputation as a thoughtful advocate for constitutional government, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty – principles that align with the College’s longstanding commitment to faith and freedom.
This year’s ceremony takes on added significance as Grove City College celebrates its sesquicentennial this year. Founded in 1876, the College shares its 150th anniversary with the nation’s 250th.
At 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 the class will worship together at the Baccalaureate service, with Rev. Ethan Magness, rector of Grace Anglican Church, Grove City, speaking.
Magness planted Grace Anglican in 2006 and it is now one of the largest parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, thanks in part to strong attendance from College students and faculty.
Both Commencement and Baccalaureate will take place on the College’s main Quad, weather permitting, and be livestreamed at gcc.edu/livegrad. Rain location for both ceremonies is the Arena of the Physical Learning Center on campus. Only ticket holders will be admitted to the Arena. Updates regarding both ceremonies will be posted on the home page of gcc.edu and at gcc.edu/commencement.