Celebrating FGCU’s largest graduating class in photos and video

4 – minute read

Florida Gulf Coast University’s spring Class of 2026 didn’t just graduate — it set a new record. In five commencement ceremonies May 2-3, President Aysegul Timur conferred degrees to FGCU’s largest graduating class ever.

 

To commemorate their success and the joy of the occasion, FGCU360 is sharing some favorite moments from the ceremonies that capture the energy, excitement and pride of the weekend in a way words alone can’t. From decorated caps to the family and friends who make this day truly special for so many, these images were captured by longtime FGCU photographer James Greco, videographers Chris Noonan and Rob Salazar, student photographer Ava Schimitsch and student videographer Connor Davis. Thanks to their eagle eyes, FGCU360 brings you the spirit of our graduates and the community that supports them.

 

The spring 2026 class is impressive by the numbers: A record-breaking 2,554 students were eligible to graduate. Across five ceremonies, 2,163 graduates registered to walk:

 

·         College of Arts & Sciences: 609

·         Lutgert College of Business: 552

·         Marieb College of Health & Human Services: 427

·         U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering: 184

·         College of Education: 180

·         Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship: 142

·         The Water School: 69

 

Ceremonies also included recognition of Robert Kenny as emeritus faculty, the conferral of an honorary doctoral degree to Brian Rist and awarded certificates for three students from FGCU R.I.S.E. for their completion of that two-year program. R.I.S.E., which stands for Real Independence, Successful Employment, is Southwest Florida’s first university program for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

 

FGCU has awarded more than 57,000 degrees since opening in fall 1997.

A decorated graduation mortarboard, bedazzled in mostly blue beads with the FGCU logo and Eagle head in full color, the year 2026 in white and a border of white or clear beads
Two pink decorated mortarboards. The left one reads pretty and educated and the right one reads woman in STEM
A decorated graduation mortarboard with yellow crime scene tape and the year 2026 with Scrabble pieces spelling out the words case closed, along with small yellow flowers for decoration
A decorated graduation mortarboard in green and the letters FGCU with a border of white or clear
A Bluey themed graduation mortarboard with cut-outs of four cartoon characters and the words This episode of Bluey is called graduation
A panoramic view of Alico Arena during a graduation ceremony, with bleacher seating to the left and right and folding chairs in the middle full of graduating students in robes and mortarboards, with a stage before them and a large TV screen overhead showing a woman speaking at the podium
A group of five graduates in robes and mortarboards with honor cords and stoles. Three of them students are making the FGCU Wing's Up gesture
Two graduates in robes and mortarboards with honor cords and stoles making the FGCU Wing's Up gesture
A smiling man in graduation robes, a mortarboard and blue stole, and his blue FGCU diploma in hand, walks toward FGCU President Timur on the commencement stage
A smiling man wearing a mortarboard with his blue FGCU diploma in hand hugs FGCU President Timur on the commencement stage
A smiling woman in graduation robes, a mortarboard and yellow Honors College stole and honor cords, and her blue FGCU diploma in hand, runs toward FGCU President Timur on the commencement stage
A woman looks up, wearing graduation robes, a mortarboard and a blue and green stole
FGCU's Eagle mascot, Azul, high fives FGCU President Timur, in her green and dark blue regalia
You might also be interested in this story: Ten outstanding Eagles inducted into FGCU Hall of Fame
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