Student musicians, speakers add special touch to K-State commencement

A Black man in graduation regalia speaks into a microphone in front of university flags.

Friday, May 8, 2026

Kansas State University's spring 2026 commencement will feature student musicians and speakers during the ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, in Salina and Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, in Manhattan.

  • Erin Frenk, bachelor's candidate in chemistry and master's candidate in business administration, Fredonia, will be the student speaker at commencement for the College of Arts and Sciences

  • Devlyn Jochum, senior in applied music and music education, Hays, will sing the National Anthem and the Alma Mater at commencement ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, K-State Salina, the Graduate School, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, the College of Education and the College of Business Administration.

  • August Siefkes, senior in applied music, Hudson, will be the organist for the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Education and the College of Business Administration.

  • Lakota Persing, bachelor's candidate in communication sciences and disorders, Hugoton, will deliver the student address at commencement for the College of Health and Human Sciences.

  • Ethan Edington, master's candidate in architecture, Manhattan, will deliver the student address at commencement for the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.

  • Danielle Gibbs, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidate, Manhattan, will sing the National anthem at the College of Veterinary Medicine's ceremony.

  • Mellany Roenne, bachelor's candidate in animal sciences and industry, Meriden, will deliver reflections at the College of Agriculture's commencement ceremony.

  • Noah Biswell, bachelor's candidate in management information systems, Olathe, will deliver the student commencement address for the College of Business Administration.

  • Keenan Lippert, K-State Salina Student Government Association president, Sabetha, will lead the processional and deliver the student address at the commencement ceremony for K-State Salina.

  • Colby Johnston, bachelor's candidate in mechanical engineering, Shawnee, will deliver the student address at commencement for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.

  • Preston Dunn, bachelor's candidate in animal sciences and industry, St. John, will give the student address at commencement for the College of Agriculture.

  • Josephine Benson, senior in English, Wamego, will play the organ at commencement for the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, the College of Agriculture, the Graduate School, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.

  • Kellum Carnahan, bachelor's candidate in animal sciences and industry, Julesburg, Colorado, will sing the National Anthem and the Alma Mater for the College of Agriculture's commencement ceremony.

  • Bridget Naas, bachelor's candidate in elementary education, Nevada, Missouri, will deliver the student address at the College of Education's commencement ceremony.

  • Jordan Daugherty, president of the College of Veterinary Medicine's class of 2026, Alexandria, Virginia, will deliver the student address at the College of Veterinary Medicine's ceremony.

  • The Air Force ROTC Detachment 270 will conduct the Presentation of Colors during the National Anthem at commencement ceremonies for K-State Salina, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Business Administration, the College of Agriculture, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.

  • The Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion will conduct the Presentation of Colors during the National Anthem at commencement for the Graduate School and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The following is the schedule of K-State spring 2026 commencement ceremonies:

Saturday, May 9

K-State Salina, 10 a.m., Tony's Pizza Events Center.

Friday, May 15

  • Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion commissioning ceremony, 9 a.m., K-State Student Union Forum Hall
  • College of Architecture, Planning & Design, 10 a.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • Air Force ROTC Detachment 270 commissioning ceremony, 1 p.m., K-State Student Union Forum Hall
  • Graduate School,1 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • The College of Veterinary Medicine, 3:30 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum

Saturday, May 16

  • College of Arts and Sciences, 8:30 a.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • College of Education, 11 a.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • College of Business Administration, 12:30 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • College of Agriculture, 2:30 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • College of Health and Human Sciences, 4:30 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum
  • Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, 6:30 p.m., Bramlage Coliseum
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