Another academic year has come to a successful close, and we were delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students at this year’s 2026 Biology Commencement ceremony.

Graduates, family members, and friends gathered at the Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Friday, June 12, 2026, to mark this important milestone. The day was filled with excitement, pride, and celebration as supporters came together to honor the achievements of our Biology graduates.

This year, we conferred 590 undergraduate and 10 doctoral degrees to students whose hard work, perseverance, and passion for science have prepared them for the next chapter of their journeys. The ceremony recognized not only their academic accomplishments, but also the contributions they have made to our department and university community.

We were honored to welcome distinguished guest speaker and Nobel Laureate, Mary Brunkow, ’86 (B.A. in Biology), who shared words of encouragement and inspiration with our graduates. In her remarks, Mary reflected on her own experience as a Biology undergraduate – in particular, how she started her degree with the goal of attending medical school, but then pivoted when she found her passion for discovery while conducting undergraduate research in the Sandler lab at the UW. She emphasized to our graduates the importance of taking advantage of the range of opportunities offered to them as they apply their Biology education to address challenges in their own communities and around the world – perhaps not just in medicine or science, but in fields that touch all aspects of society as well.

We are proud to celebrate our graduates and all they have accomplished. Congratulations to our Biology graduates, and best wishes for continued success in the years ahead!

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