At CU Denver, Dania Morelli discovered her love for designing human-centered spaces and landed a job as a technical designer at one of the world’s largest architecture firms, Gensler. Angel Lupian Alvarez found his confidence and is heading to an internship at one of the “big four” accounting firms. And, Layla Blair discovered her passion for biotechnology and is starting her career as a biomedical engineer at a local health care company.
These are just a few of the more than 2,200 spring graduates who earned their degrees at CU Denver’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 16. The energy in the Denver Coliseum was electric as the graduates, joined by their families and friends, celebrated an enormous milestone in their education journeys.
Provost Karen Marrongelle, PhD, served as the master of ceremonies. She introduced LARK, CU Denver’s award-winning a cappella group, who sang the National Anthem. She then spoke about how meaningful the journey to commencement is. “Every graduate seated before us carries a story uniquely their own, and today we honor every chapter,” she said. “They’ve built it. They’ve pushed forward, they’ve adapted, they’ve juggled jobs, families, commutes, and more than a few deadlines. They’ve done it with the kind of determination that creates communities, improves institutions, and characterizes CU Denver.”
Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD, greeted graduates and shared that his time as chancellor has been the most meaningful experience of his professional life. “And it’s because of all of you,” he said. “Our university carries a powerful mandate—to make education work for all.”
Christensen described the class of 2026: Graduates’ ages range from 19 to 73 years old. Nearly 40% are the first in their families to earn an undergraduate degree. There are 20 active-duty service members and more than 100 military veterans. Christensen said to the crowd: “You represent what higher education makes possible—not only for yourselves, but for your families as well as for your communities across the Denver metro area, our state, and beyond.”
He shared the importance of a degree in not only preparing for employment but also in graduates’ capacity to learn, adapt, and grow. “You must never forget that in a world that is constantly changing, you carry not just knowledge, but the confidence and resilient skills necessary to meet this moment, and to keep building on it thereafter.”
Next, CU President Todd Saliman addressed graduates with a message on the power of listening. “Listening means more than simply waiting for your turn to speak,” he said to graduates. “It means really hearing others, being interested in them, engaging with them, asking questions.”
In a world of opportunity and complexity, Saliman said, graduates have the skills to navigate both. Listening will help set them apart. “More importantly, you’ll build trust. And that trust will allow you to impact the world around you,” he said. “And that is exactly what we need you to do. Impact the world. Make it better.”
Saliman left graduates with words of encouragement: “For now, enjoy this moment. We are so proud of you. And we look to you with great hope. Because you are the future.”
Watch Now: Celebrating Our Spring 2026 Graduates
