Summer Graduation 2026 at Andrews University

From July 31–Aug. 2, 2026

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Andrews University’s Summer Graduation will take place during the weekend of July 31–Aug. 2, 2026. Events will begin on Friday with a Vespers service, followed by a Baccalaureate service on Sabbath and two Commencement services on Sunday morning.

Both Commencement services will take place at the Andreasen Center for Wellness, and the Friday Vespers and Baccalaureate service will be held at Pioneer Memorial Church. Please note that in order to provide adequate seating for the families of graduates, there are two Commencement services with reserved seating only.

Additional academic and cultural programs are planned throughout the graduation weekend. For a complete list, please consult the online schedule at andrews.edu/graduation/schedule/.

The Baccalaureate on Sabbath, Aug. 1, at 11:45 a.m., will be delivered by Erton Köhler, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Köhler completed a bachelor’s degree in theology and a master’s degree in pastoral theology from the Adventist Teaching Institute (now Brazilian Adventist University) and is graduating with a Doctor of Ministry from Andrews University. He has served the South American Division (SAD) of Seventh-day Adventists as a pastor, Youth Ministries director and executive secretary. In 2007, he became president of SAD, and in 2025, he was elected to his current role.

Monica Reed, regional president and CEO for AdventHealth Great Lakes Region and president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, will offer the 8:30 a.m. Commencement address on Sunday, Aug. 2, for students of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health & Human Services and College of Professions. She earned a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University, as well as a Master of Science from the University of Oxford. A nationally recognized health care executive and physician leader with more than three decades of experience, Reed drives mission-centered growth and leadership excellence across complex organizational systems.

Honorary degree candidate H. Melvin Ming will be recognized at this service. Ming graduated from Temple University and went on to attain the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. He began his career in the field of finance before transitioning to multiple executive leadership roles across public media. In 1999, he joined Sesame Workshop and went on to become president and chief executive officer of the organization. He retired in 2014, leaving a legacy of stewardship, excellence and team building. Ming has also served on various church, nonprofit and corporate boards, investing deeply in mentoring organizations and future leaders.

The 11:30 a.m. Commencement service on Sunday will honor graduates from the College of Education & International Services and Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Audrey Andersson, general vice president for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, will be the speaker. Andersson will also be recognized with an honorary degree during the service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry. In 2003, Andersson began serving as executive secretary of the Swedish Union of Churches Conference and, in 2010, became executive secretary of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, before moving to her current role in 2022.

Select graduation services will be livestreamed. For more details, visit andrews.edu/graduation/.