April 21, 2026
In a historic moment marking the close of a 155-year chapter, Ursuline College will celebrate its final Commencement as an independent institution on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Wolstein Center, conferring degrees upon the Class of 2026 ahead of its merger with Gannon University on June 30th.
More than 300 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to participate, representing Ursuline’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence, service, and leadership.
Founded in 1871 by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, Ursuline College has been a pioneer in women’s education and a steadfast force in preparing students for lives of purpose and impact.
This Commencement not only celebrates the achievements of graduates, but also honors the enduring legacy of the Ursuline Sisters, whose mission of educating women and serving the community has shaped generations of students and leaders.
With the upcoming merger, Ursuline will become part of Gannon University, ensuring the continuation of its mission within a broader Catholic educational system while preserving its identity and heritage.
The ceremony will be presided over by President David King, EdD, who served as the college’s first male president and the College’s last president. Dr. King became president on July 1, 2024, when he was tasked with finding a partner institution to merge with Ursuline College.
“This Commencement represents both a culmination and a continuation,” said King. “We honor the achievements of our graduates and the extraordinary legacy of the Ursuline Sisters, whose vision has guided this institution for more than a century. At the same time, we look forward with confidence — knowing that Ursuline’s mission will not only endure, but grow stronger through our partnership with Gannon University. Our graduates step into the world at a moment of meaning, carrying forward a tradition of leadership rooted in integrity, compassion, and purpose.”
Delivering the keynote address will be Sr. Laura Bregar, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and an alumna of the College.
Her selection is especially meaningful. As leader of the founding religious community, Sister Laura represents both the College’s origins and its enduring values.
“This moment is not an ending, but an expression of who we have always been,” said Bregar. “For more than 175 years, the Ursuline Sisters have been called to educate, to serve, and to respond with courage to the needs of the time. That mission lives on in every Ursuline graduate. As this new chapter begins, we do so with deep gratitude for our history and abiding faith in the future — trusting that what has been planted here will continue to grow in ways we cannot yet see.”
As the Class of 2026 crosses the stage, they do so at a pivotal moment, carrying forward Ursuline’s legacy of intellectual curiosity, compassionate leadership, and service to others into a new chapter.
While this Commencement marks an ending, it also signals a beginning: the continuation of Ursuline’s mission within a strengthened Catholic educational partnership, grounded in the same values that have guided the College since its founding.
