VERMONT – Vermont State University’s Class of 2026 has a weekend of commencement ceremonies at four of its residential campuses: Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, and Randolph, with Williston campus students participating in the Randolph ceremony. Commencement was held on the Castleton and Randolph campuses on Saturday, May 16, and on the Lyndon and Johnson campuses on Sunday, May 17.
In total, Vermont State will graduate 1,531 students from 227 Vermont communities and beyond in Academic Year 2025-2026. The majority of Vermont State graduates live and work in Vermont after graduation. Facts on Vermont State’s graduates include:
Over one-third are earning degrees from the university’s healthcare programs, including all levels of nursing, paramedicine, respiratory therapy and dental hygiene. These graduates will continue on with their education or enter the workforce, prepared for a career in these high-demand fields.
82 are earning degrees in engineering and construction management, supporting infrastructure, research, and housing needs.
400 are graduating from the university’s education programs, spanning early childhood, elementary and special education, secondary education and teacher preparation.
215 graduates are leaving with degrees in business, hospitality, or technology, ready to start a business, work in the state’s booming tourism and outdoor recreation industries or contribute meaningfully to business and industry.
95 studied mental health and human services, ready to address shortages in the mental health workforce.
Audrey Tembreull is graduating with a degree in communications. She attended both the Johnson and Lyndon campuses and combined her academic interests with her athletics, sharing: “VTSU was a great option for me to do both a sport I love that I’ve always done since second grade, but also to be able to pursue what I want to do for a degree. My internship with VTSU Johnson Athletics, doing video content photography for them, boosted my creativity and editing skills as well as photography skills.”
Vermont State University President David Bergh presided over each commencement ceremony, and emphasized the importance of living Vermont State’s core value of continuous, lifelong learning after graduation. He also spoke of the importance of building on the skills and knowledge gained in each individual’s education, and adapting those to life outside the classroom, stating:
“I am confident you all are leaving here prepared for whatever comes next. With the insight to define what matters to you, the skills to act on it, the determination to see it through, and a community that will stay with you throughout your career and your life. That’s what Vermont State University set out to give you. And I am certain that wherever you land will be better because of you.”
