A 2026 Graduation to Remember

This year’s Graduation ceremony saw students, families, friends, and staff fill every seat at the historic Richmond Theatre to mark the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and resilience.  

Along with other speakers, the ceremony was opened and closed by university board member Professor Bill Durden, Our President and Vice Chancellor Phil Deans, and long-time faculty Emeritus Professor Wolfgang Deckers.  

The first ceremony for postgraduates was closed by student speaker Anna Turner, graduating in International Sports Management with Best Graduate in her field. “Adversity is not the enemy. It is the architect of our strength,” she told the crowd. Anna faced prejudice entering the football field as a woman, and has overcome it all, serving as the President for Student Government and Peer Leader representative over at Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) in Leeds. 

The next student speaker was Upasana Bhatt, graduating with a BA in Communications: Media Studies with Summa cum laude (Highest Honors). She detailed that she found Richmond online and felt a “sense of kinship” recognizing we share a name with fictional football club from the TV Series Ted Lasso. “I hope we stay true to ourselves in choosing our paths forward,” she later said. “And if the past few years have taught us anything, it is that we are capable of more than we think.” 

Alongside our student speakers, Paula Alves de Souza, a 1987 alum, was awarded a doctorate in International Relations (Honoris Causa) as our Honorary graduate for this year, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to international diplomacy, cultural relations, and public service, as well as a distinguished career representing Brazil on the global stage. She told the crowd: “Here (At Richmond) I received a unique opportunity that proved foundational to my academic and professional future. the ability to engage in rigorous and complex political reflection.”  

The ceremony concluded with the traditional cap toss, a symbolic moment of achievement and new beginnings. For many, Graduation Day is not only a celebration but a time to reflect on the personal and professional growth that got them there, the friendships they will take with them, and the many unique and meaningful experiences they have had at Richmond.  

Catch up on the recording and re-live the experience on Youtube and view official photos of Flickr. 

Thank you to all staff and faculty whose efforts made the day wonderful for our students and their guests, and congratulations to the class of 2026.