Boise State University Celebrates 118th Commencement with More Than 3,400 Spring Graduates
Boise State University marked its 118th commencement this past weekend as ExtraMile Arena filled with families, friends, and faculty to honor the university’s spring 2026 graduating class. A total of 3,403 students completed their coursework this spring, combining to earn 4,428 degrees and certificates. The new graduates now join a Boise State alumni community of more than 180,000 living former students across Idaho and beyond.
Four Ceremonies, One Milestone Weekend
The celebrations were spread across four separate ceremonies, each honoring graduates from different colleges and programs. Among the notable additions this year, master’s and doctoral candidates were honored together in their own dedicated ceremony for the first time in university history — a recognition of the growing graduate programs at Boise State.
Interim President and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jeremiah Shinn offered remarks at the ceremonies, telling graduates: “You are part of the fabric of this institution, woven into its story, its spirit, and its future.”
Samantha Lords, a master’s candidate in counseling finishing with a 3.93 GPA and leadership experience in Chi Sigma Iota — the international counseling honor society — delivered the graduate student address. Her message focused on resilience and the importance of community. “Not only is it okay to not be okay, it is empowering to know that you are not alone,” Lords told her fellow graduates.
Student Speakers Reflect on Service, Courage, and Growth
Three undergraduate student speakers addressed their peers during the weekend’s ceremonies, each drawing on their distinct experiences at Boise State.
Diana Colis, a sociology graduate known for supporting first-generation students on campus, encouraged her classmates to approach new challenges with curiosity rather than fear. “Always ask questions without fear, take in every moment preciously as if everything is new,” she said.
Natalie Ayala, a mechanical engineering graduate who finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA and completed an internship with NASA, centered her address on perseverance. “When you’re the first in your family to graduate, you’re opening doors,” Ayala said, noting that individual success carries broader meaning for those who come after.
Isaac Celedon, an economics and political science graduate who served two terms as student body president, urged classmates to measure their lives by impact rather than titles. “Your life won’t be defined by a title,” Celedon said. “It will be defined by the people you impacted.”
Honorary Degree for Former Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb
The university also bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws on Bruce Newcomb, a longtime Idaho public servant who spent nearly two decades in the Idaho House of Representatives. Newcomb served as Speaker of the House from 1998 to 2006 and later joined Boise State as director of government relations and a special advisor to then-President Bob Kustra.
U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson, who has known Newcomb for more than four decades, offered a tribute during the ceremony. “There is no finer example of a great man than my good friend Bruce Newcomb,” Simpson said, noting that he has known Newcomb as a rancher, legislator, university official, and family man.
What the Milestone Means for the Treasure Valley
Boise State’s graduating class represents a significant annual infusion of educated workers into the Treasure Valley economy, from engineers and educators to counselors and public servants. With Meridian, Eagle, and surrounding Ada County communities continuing to grow rapidly, locally trained graduates fill a critical pipeline of talent for the region’s expanding business and public sectors.
The university’s continued growth in graduate-level programs — reflected in the new dedicated graduate ceremony — also signals Boise State’s evolving role as a research and professional education institution, not just an undergraduate university.
For Boise-area readers interested in other local institutions making an impact, Boise State Public Radio recently took home 21 Idaho Press Club awards for its 2025 reporting, and The Cabin, a beloved downtown Boise literary center, is nearing its long-awaited reopening after a period of renovation.
What Comes Next
Spring 2026 graduates can expect their diplomas to be processed and mailed in the weeks following commencement. Those interested in staying connected to Boise State’s alumni network can visit the university’s alumni association page for information on events, mentorship programs, and professional resources available to the more than 180,000 Bronco alumni statewide.