Return to this page on Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. to view a livestream of the ceremony.
Join United in celebrating the class of 2025-26!
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location:
Christian Life Center (CLC)
3489 Little York Rd.
Dayton, OH 45414
For a list of hotels close to the venue, click here.
Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. | Doors Open. Graduates are encouraged to arrive early.
- 8:00-9:00 a.m. | Robing (West Auditorium)
- 9:15-9:30 a.m. | Group Photos (West Auditorium)
- 10 a.m. – Noon | Commencement (Main Auditorium) (The ceremony will be live-streamed)
- Noon – 1 p.m. | Alumni Standing Reception will take place immediately following the ceremony outside of the Main Auditorium.
Contact
Master’s:
Kimberly Hamby
937.529.2201
khamby@united.edu
Doctor of Ministry:
Deanna York
937.529.2201
dyork@united.edu
CONVOCATION SPEAKER:
Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. is a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church (UMC). He has preached, lectured, and led workshops in over 20 nations worldwide and throughout the United States. A native of Houston, Texas, he holds a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center at Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology. He began his ministry in the South Georgia Conference of The UMC, serving as a deacon, an elder, and a district superintendent. Following his election to the episcopacy in 2004, he served the Holston Conference of The UMC until 2012 and the Mississippi Conference of The UMC from 2012 through his retirement on January 1, 2023. In April 2023, he began his current role as Bishop-in-Residence at United Theological Seminary. He is also currently the interim General Secretary of United Methodist Men.