SOU celebrates 100th Commencement
Southern Oregon University’s 2026 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13, celebrated nearly 600 new graduates who earned a total of more than 900 degrees.
The ceremony – the 100th since the university reopened at its current location in 1926, following a lengthy hiatus – was at Raider Stadium, at Webster and Wightman streets in Ashland. It began with an 8:45 a.m. processional and lasted for about two hours.
The event featured a color guard from the Oregon National Guard and Eagle Staff from the SOU Native American Student Union. Graduating senior Acacia Cook sang the national anthem.
SOU Executive Vice President and Provost Casey Shillam served as the master of ceremonies. President Rick Bailey offered brief remarks, and Jocelyn Gallegos Vargas followed as the student commencement speaker.
Gallegos Vargas, a first-generation Latina student, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Spanish Language and Culture. She served as president of the Latino Student Union, worked at Rogue Credit Union’s campus branch and participated in the Global Innovation Scholars Program.
She plans to continue her work with Rogue Credit Union following graduation, serving as a community outreach and financial education coordinator.
