Class of 2026 Commencement Announcement

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Celebrating Excellence: Lane College Announces Class of 2026 Commencement

Mar 27, 2026

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Lane College is proud to celebrate the 2026 graduating class with a series of activities highlighting their achievements and enduring legacies.

Commencement activities will begin with the Baccalaureate Service on Friday, April 24th at 5 p.m. in William H. Graves Auditorium in the Chambers-McClure Academic Center (CMAC), followed by the Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, April 25th at 10 a.m., located at New St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, TN. Together, these events reflect time-honored traditions as graduates prepare to confidently enter their next chapter.

This year’s celebration will feature distinguished guest speakers who embody the next level of excellence in leadership and service. Dr. Darrell L. Harrington, Senior Pastor of New Sardis Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, will provide the Baccalaureate address, offering words of inspiration grounded in faith, scholarship, and community impact. To read his full biography, click here.

K. Blackwell

Serving as the Commencement keynote speaker, Kimberly A. Blackwell, CEO & Founder of the nationally acclaimed PMM Agency, brings a dynamic voice and perspective shaped by her outstanding contributions as a marketing and advertising executive, innovator, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and brand manager. To read her full biography, click here.

The Commencement Ceremony will include opening remarks from Dr. Donald. W. Comer, Interim President of Lane College; Deroan Pinder, who is currently the highest-ranking graduate (after seven consecutive semesters); Erin Isabell, SGA President; and Lemanuel Turnipseed, Senior Class President. Alongside them will be remarks provided by academic division leaders and Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr., Chair of the Board of Trustees.

As an additional highlight, the Diamond Class of 1966 and the Golden Class of 1976 will be recognized as they celebrate their 60th and 50th anniversaries of legacy, impact, and commitment as outstanding Lanites.

Family, friends, community members, and honored guests are invited to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion and the achievements of the graduating class and the bright futures that lie ahead of them.

As a reminder, tickets will be required to enter the Commencement venue. There will be a live stream overflow viewing of Commencement held on the Lane College campus in the William H. Graves Auditorium in CMAC.

Stay connected and follow Lane College on social media for the latest event updates, photos, highlights from Commencement and more!