On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the C. T. Bauer College of Business saw more than 1,500 graduates cross the Fertitta Center stage and step into the next chapter of their lives.

The University of Houston made history this year with one of the largest graduating classes to date with a total of 7,819, and 1,617 of those graduates are earning their degrees from Bauer College. This spring's commencement ceremonies were also significant for Bauer, marking the first class of graduates from the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration program and earning the distinction of including UH's youngest and oldest graduates of the semester.

#BauerGrad26 By the Numbers

245

Bauer students graduating
cum laude

933 total from the University of Houston

276

Bauer students graduating magna cum laude

936 total from the University of Houston

132

Bauer students* graduating
summa cum laude
*Seven with a perfect 4.0 GPA

559 total from the University of Houston

They started the day as students and ended it as new alumni. With the turning of the tassels, the Spring 2026 class joined an alumni base of more than 70,000 executives, senior business and financial leaders and entrepreneurs and innovators.

Bauer alumnus and UH Board of Regents member Bryan Clark (BBA ‘90) said that when he was graduating, he didn’t know what the future would hold for him. If he could go back in time to talk to his younger self, he would tell him that he had life-changing achievements ahead of him, and he knows the same future awaits this year’s graduating class.

“Graduation can be filled with mixed emotions. Not only for you but also for your loved ones, friends and family. But let me assure you, and everyone who supports you, that you are ready for what comes next,” Clark said.

"You are ready for what comes next."

Bryan Clark (BBA ‘90), UH Board of Regents

Faculty Encouragement

“Make use of the knowledge you’ve gained from Bauer. Always be resilient and entrepreneurial in everything you do.” - Associate Dean of Research Vanessa Patrick-Ralhan

“This is my favorite time of year: when I see the students walk and we feel the energy of their loved ones. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.” - Associate Dean of Graduate & Professional Programs Leiser Silva

“It might feel like the end of the journey, but I can assure you this is the start of a wonderful next phase.” - Decision & Information Sciences Associate Professor Xiao Ma

“It's been a privilege to be a part of the faculty and see our students graduate, then take that step, literally, into an extraordinary journey,” - Larry J. Sachnowitz Professor of Marketing & Entrepreneurship Partha Krishnamurthy

“Never give up on yourself. You are your best product.” - Department of Management & Leadership Faculty Lecturer Joseph Thompson

“Today is a moment of celebration. One of favorite things is getting on that stage and shake the hand of every single student. I get to look in their eyes and see their happiness. It's a fantastic reminder of why we do what we do.” - Undergraduate Business Programs Assistant Dean Olivia Miljanic

This year, Bauer celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort in the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program, a record-breaking year for the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, the Professional MBA program ranking Top 25 among public universities in the nation and the college’s undergraduate programs ranking Top 20 among public universities in the nation.

The oldest and youngest graduates in UH’s Spring 2026 graduating class obtained their degrees from Bauer. The youngest graduate this year was 18-year-old Guanny Zivya Okpohworho who earned her bachelor’s in management information systems.

“I’m very excited I was able to make it out on the other end,” Okpohworho said. “I love the support system Bauer provides so I think that was instrumental to my success. To my fellow graduates: always keep persistency and consistency in mind for everything you do.”

The oldest graduate this year is 69-year-old Steven Jones who was a student of the inaugural Executive DBA cohort.

“I am glad to be a cheerleader for lifelong learning,” Jones said.

"Stay open-minded, stay curious and make a difference."

Xianjun Geng, Bauer Dean

Graduation marks a very important transition in the lives of students and a time to reflect on both their past and future accomplishments, Bauer College Dean Xianjun Geng said.

The commencement ceremony not only honors Bauer’s graduates, but all the parents, spouses, significant others, children, family, friends and mentors who supported them throughout their academic journeys, he added.

“Although change naturally brings some uneasiness, I offer you this advice: Every challenge is an opportunity,” he said. “Stay open-minded, stay curious and make a difference. Two important things we hope you take away from your time here at Bauer are the ability to learn, and the ability to think critically. Use them to best equip yourself to take advantage of the vast opportunities that a changing world affords.”

Class of 2026 Signing Off!

“We’ve all worked very hard, it's been a long road, and it’s nice to celebrate with everyone today.” - Wyatt Johnson (MBA ‘26)

“I love this class. It has been a phenomenal experience — a transformative experience.” - William Tucker III (Executive DBA ‘26)

“Don’t hold yourself back. Dream big!” - Jai Shet (BBA ‘26)

“Make sure you focus on what's most important for you and never stray away from who you are as a person.” - Raya Abdul (BBA ‘26)

“I’m really grateful to my friends and family who have been there for me through all my tough times.” - Averie Loup (BBA ‘26)

“You should take advantage of the years you have here, but the most important thing is to make the best connections you can because that’s what’s going to last forever.” - Stefano Valdettaro (MBA ‘26)

“Keep going. Whenever it gets hard, keep pushing. It will all be worth it in the end.” -Vanessa Nwachukwu (BBA ‘26)

“Big thank you to all my friends and family who supported me. We made it. Go Coogs!” - Luke Germenis (BBA ‘26)

“I’m so grateful to all the professors, staff and other students along the way who have made my experience so great.” - Elizabeth Coletti (MBA ‘26)

“We all came here with a goal, and I’m very happy to I came in and accomplished that goal.” - Shaan Muhammad (MBA ‘26)

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

An Extraordinary Journey