Monmouth, Ore. —Western Oregon University announces its 2026 commencement on Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. on McArthur Field. Over 1,084 students are eligible to walk across the stage and graduate, completing a significant milestone in their lives.
Four Outstanding Student Award recipients will speak at commencement, Ashley Radmer and Faith Howie (Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award recipients), Aubree Reese (Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient), and Jennifer Gage (OHSU Outstanding Nursing Student).
Additionally, four distinguished alumni from the Class of 1976 will lead this year’s graduating class into McArthur Stadium. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, these alumni return as honored Golden Wolves, a cherished tradition at Western’s Commencement exercises.
This year’s Golden Wolves represent the enduring spirit of the university:
- John and Lois Schrenk met as students and graduated together with degrees in Music Education.
- Jon Carey earned his teaching credentials and enjoyed a long, impactful career as a coach and administrator with Wolves Athletics.
- Miriam Haugen graduated with a degree in contemporary music and is currently an active community member and local business owner specializing in portrait photography.
###
About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.