Purdue honors college laureates to participate as student responders in Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies
Exterior of John Martinson Honors College
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — More than 10,000 Purdue University graduates will take their next giant leap during nine spring commencement ceremonies May 14-16 at Elliott Hall of Music. This marks the second consecutive year the university has surpassed 10,000 graduates during spring commencement. Purdue also conducts winter commencement.
The Class of 2026 in spring, the largest to date for Purdue’s main campus (West Lafayette, Indianapolis and online), includes 7,748 undergraduates, 2,296 graduate students, 268 students from professional programs and 90 students from Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s statewide programs.
450 Honors Laureate candidates for spring 2026 completion of the Honors curriculum will be recognized during a separate Honors College Spring 2026 Medallion Ceremony on May 13, 2026.
Three of the eight undergraduate student responders for the Spring commencement ceremony are John Martinson Honors College Honors Laureates.
- Evelyn McCarthy of Columbus, Ohio, John Martinson Honors College Honors Laureate, who is to receive a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the College of Engineering, will be the student responder in the Thursday afternoon (Division II) ceremony.
- Nehemiah Boyd of Indianapolis, John Martinson Honors College Honors Laureate and Stamps Scholar, who is to receive a Bachelor of Science in neurobiology and physiology from the College of Science, will be the student responder in the Thursday evening (Division III) ceremony.
- Raja Ali of Indianapolis, John Martinson Honors College Honors Laureate, who is to receive a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the College of Science, will be the student responder in the Friday afternoon (Division V) ceremony.
About John Martinson Honors College
By selectively attracting high-achieving students from across disciplines, the John Martinson Honors College strengthens Purdue’s culture of academic excellence, curiosity, and ambition. Students benefit from a strong residential learning community, personalized advising, extensive mentorship, and exposure to leadership opportunities that help students shape their academic and professional paths. Through its emphasis on rigorous coursework, scholarship, and applied learning, the John Martinson Honors College encourages students to push beyond traditional academic expectations in a welcoming, supportive community.