Graduation Weekend 2026 - Bethany College « All Events Graduation Weekend 2026 May 8 May 9 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 Baccalaureate 5 p.m., Commencement Hall Keynote Speaker: Rev. Lee Hull Moses , ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Students line up at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Library SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 Commencement 10 a.m., Joe Kurey Memorial Court in Hummel Field House Keynote Speaker: Bob Orr ’75 , veteran CBS News correspondent and Emmy Award-winning journalist Gates open at 8 a.m. for guests Students line up at 9 a.m. in the rec center Livestream Anyone who cannot join us in person for graduation weekend is welcome to cheer on the graduates from afar. Both Baccalaureate and Commencement will be livestreamed on Bethany’s Facebook page , with Commencement also available on YouTube. A direct link to the YouTube broadcast will be posted here closer to the event. Recordings of Baccalaureate and Commencement will be available following the events. Commencement Speaker Bethany College is proud to announce that veteran CBS News correspondent and Emmy Award-winning journalist Bob Orr ’75 will deliver the commencement address for the Class of 2026, and will be awarded an honorary degree during the ceremony, while the Rev. Lee Hull Moses will serve as the Baccalaureate speaker. A distinguished Bethany alumnus, Orr spent more than four decades in broadcast journalism, retiring in 2015 from CBS News in Washington, D.C. Over the course of his career, he served as the network’s Justice and Homeland Security correspondent, leading coverage of major national and international events. “Bob Orr’s extraordinary career in journalism and his commitment to truth and public service reflect the very best of Bethany’s mission,” said Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi. “His experience covering some of the most significant events of our time will offer our graduates both inspiration and a powerful example of leadership in action.” Orr began his career in local television, working in Wheeling, W.Va., Philadelphia, Pa., and Columbus, Ohio, where he spent 12 years as a reporter and anchor at WBNS. In 1993, he joined CBS News, where he went on to cover major stories including the Boston Marathon bombings, the death of Osama bin Laden, and the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Throughout his career, Orr reported extensively on terrorism and national security, including the rise of ISIS and the operations of al Qaeda. He was also a key contributor to CBS News’ historic coverage of the September 11 attacks, providing live reporting and breaking developments during the crisis. In addition to his national security reporting, Orr covered major aviation and transportation stories, including the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster and several high-profile airline crashes. His investigative work helped uncover a design flaw in the Boeing 737 rudder system following the 1994 crash of US Air Flight 427. Orr is the recipient of four national Emmy Awards, as well as the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton for his coverage of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Since his retirement, Orr has remained active as a speaker and community leader, frequently addressing topics such as terrorism, media responsibility, and the First Amendment. Baccalaureate Speaker Rev. Lee Hull Mose s will deliver the Baccalaureate address as part of the College’s commencement weekend. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Moses serves as senior minister at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis and is a respected author and speaker. Her work focuses on faith, leadership, justice, and the evolving role of the church in contemporary society. She is the author of “More Than Enough: Living Abundantly in a Culture of Excess,” and has contributed to numerous publications and conversations around progressive Christianity and community engagement. Additional Commencement Details Number of Guests: There is no limit to the amount of guests a graduate can bring to Baccalaureate and Commencement. Tickets will not be used to determine who can attend 2026 Graduation Weekend. Parking and Shuttle Service : Signs and security officers will direct you to appropriate parking locations on campus, and a shuttle service will be available to transport guests to Commencement. View our campus map ahead of time to familiarize yourself with the area. Photography : All students will be photographed receiving their diploma. Graduation photography will be available on Bethany College’s Flickr page , where photos can be downloaded for free at full resolution Google Calendar iCalendar Outlook 365 Outlook Live Details Start: May 8 End: May 9 Event Categories: Speakers & Symposiums Commencement