Augustana to recognize more than 500 graduates May 23

Augustana College will recognize more than 500 graduates at the college’s 166th commencement ceremony Saturday, May 23. 

Alumnus Ken Anderson '71, a 1981 NFL MVP, will deliver the commencement address at the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Vibrant Arena at the Mark, 1201 River Dr., Moline, Ill.

Anderson holds the distinction of being the first Academic All-America athlete in Augustana’s history, leading a list that now numbers 188, placing Augustana 14th among all schools, in all NCAA Divisions, in its number of honorees. 

The student speaker at this year’s commencement will be Niccolò Benvenuto ’26 of Milan, Italy. A geology and political science double major, Benvenuto was selected from the Phi Beta Kappa Class of 2026.

The Class of 2026 includes graduates from 19 countries, including the United States, and 18 U.S. states. Twenty-nine graduates are from Rock Island County and 12 are from Scott County. 

Sixty-two majors are represented in the class. The most popular majors are accounting, biology, business administration, communication studies and psychology. 

Additionally, 22 students will be recognized for earning a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP). A master’s hooding ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Wallenberg Hall, in the Denkmann Memorial Building at 3520 7th Ave., Rock Island, Ill.

Augustana's commencement convocation will be live-streamed on the Augustana homepage.

Doors open for Saturday’s commencement ceremony at noon. Tickets are not required. 

Attendees will walk through metal detectors before entering the center. Attendees are encouraged to allow for extra time to get through security. Purses, backpacks and bags should be left at home or in a vehicle, if possible. Any bag over 5" x 7" x 2" is restricted. Exceptions will be made for medical reasons or diaper bags (with small children must be present upon entry). Air horns and helium balloons are prohibited at the arena.