Commencement
Congratulations to our engineering and applied sciences graduates. We are extremely proud of each and every one of you and what you have been able to accomplish. Thank you for your hard work, dedication to academic excellence, and for everything you have contributed to the university and our SEAS community.
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will hold three commencement ceremonies this spring.
Graduate Ceremony 1
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Alumni Arena, North Campus
Graduate Ceremony 2
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
Alumni Arena, North Campus
Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Alumni Arena, North Campus
Questions about SEAS Commencement?
Contact the SEAS Commencement Coordinator, Ona Strang, at SEASCommencement@buffalo.edu.
Commencement Speaker Competition
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences continues the tradition of holding a competition to select the SEAS commencement student speakers. We will be selecting one speaker per ceremony. The competition is open to all students eligible to participate in the 2026 School of Engineering and Applied Sciences commencement ceremonies.
- Speaker selection will be based on relevancy, appropriateness of content, and delivery.
- Speeches should be no longer than three minutes (approximately 400 words).
- When planning your speech, remember that you will be speaking to the class of 2026, a diverse group of students. Since the speech is short, it is typically best to focus on a single theme.
- Your speech must be filmed behind a podium as if you are giving the speech at commencement. Please make sure that you are speaking clearly and your voice comes over in the recording.
- Finalists will be asked to present their speech to the selection committee comprised of SEAS faculty and staff.
The competition winners will deliver their speech during the SEAS commencement ceremony and will be given a UB diploma frame.
Entries due by due by Friday, February 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Submit/Upload your speech no later than Friday, February 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Your submission should include:
- Your written speech:
a. Word Format: docx file
b. Filename: Student Speaker Competition_ student name-graduate -major - A video of you giving your speech:
a. Filename: Student Speaker Competition_ student name-graduate -major
Submissions will only be accepted into the following designated Box folders:
Thank you to our competition co-sponsor Jostens.
Questions can be directed to Ona Strang at seascommencement@buffalo.edu
View past speeches here (usually at about the 30-minute mark).
Check back for details on how you can submit a message for a member of the #UBClassOf2026 on commencement ceremony day! 🥳🎓
Below are some of the photos, messages and well-wishes that were shared for the #UBClassOf2025.