Graduation Recap
The Class of 2026 Chemical Engineering Commencement was held Friday, June 12 in Kane Hall on University of Washington campus. Nearly 100 students graduated across ChemE’s undergraduate and graduate programs. More than 500 family members and friends of graduates gathered in Kane Hall to honor our graduates, while hundreds more joined via livestream. Following graduation, graduates and their guests gathered for a reception at Benson Hall.
Speaker Highlights
“In earning this degree, our graduates have shown that they have the versatility, the perseverance, and the dedication they will need in today's world.”
Elizabeth Nance, Chair’s Welcome
“What makes a chemical engineering degree so valuable is because it's hard. It's not intuitive. It takes grit.”
Bret Snyder (Ph.D. ‘96), Moulton Distinguished Alumnus speaker
Learn More About Snyder
“I believe the world needs people who can also collaborate across disciplines, who can help each other, and listen to each other without assuming we always know the answers.”
Ruby Jin (Ph.D. ‘26), Graduate Student Address
“Your ability to juggle extracurriculars and your lives... reminds me that there is more to life than just work, and that these are important things to pursue that make us better people and make the world around us better too.”
Alex Prybutok, Faculty Address
“I know we will carry that same spirit with us — the willingness to step up get involved and make a difference wherever we go because if our time here has proven anything it's that when passionate people come together they can create something that lasts far beyond themselves.”
Lauren Ellis (B.S. ‘26) Joint Undergraduate Student Address
“Class of 2026, I think our ansatz ended up being correct. We made an educated guess that we could become engineers, and somehow the math worked. Congratulations, and go Dawgs.”
Helen Feldhaus (B.S. ‘26), Joint Undergraduate Student Address
Class of 2026 Stats
Undergraduate Students
84
Total undergraduates
10
Students graduated with honors
12
Students selected the Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering option
Undergraduate Student Experience
52
Participated in a capstone project
45
Participated in research
40
Held internships
28
Studied abroad
Undergraduate Student Outcomes
As of June 2026
29
Accepted to graduate or professional school
16
Secured a job in the field
34
Searching for a job
3
Other (including backpacking through Turkey!)
Graduate Students
4
Master's degrees granted
9
Doctoral degrees granted
3
Specialized in data science option
Did you miss the ceremony? Catch up with our Livestream or three-minute recap video!