Faculty, students and families celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Third Year Ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday. Hosted at John Paul Jones Arena, the annual tradition recognized third-year students’ accomplishments and the midpoint in their undergraduate careers.
The Third Year Council organized the ceremony with support from the Alumni Association and the Division of Student Affairs. The program featured remarks from faculty and student leaders, an a capella performance by The Virginia Gentlemen, a video compilation of the Class of 2026 and a recitation of a class poem authored by the Third Year Council. Students who purchased class rings were also able to pick them up at a post-ceremony reception.
Out of more than 4,000 students in the Class of 2026, roughly 1,000 attended the event. Many students arrived with relatives who were visiting the University for Family Weekend. Keoni Vega, Third Year Council president and third-year College student, said the ceremony is one of the few times students formally come together as a class.
“It's the largest tradition of the third-year class, and probably the biggest tradition [for students] with the exception of graduation and convocation,” Vega said.
Last year, when the ceremony was held at the Paramount Theater, the number of attendees exceeded the venue’s capacity of 1,100, leaving some students and families unable to join the event. This year, the ceremony returned to its traditional location at JPJ, a venue which can hold over 14,500 people.
The ceremony kicked off with a speech from Vega, who commended the Class of 2026 for their resilience entering college on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout the tragedy of the Nov. 13, 2022 shooting, which struck Grounds in their first semester at the University.
Halfway through the ceremony, attendees were encouraged to celebrate the ceremony’s “Golden Hour” theme by lighting small, flameless candles that had been handed to them at the door. They watched a video displaying some of the Class of 2026’s memorable moments on Grounds. Interim Dean of Students Cedric Rucker then recited the class poem, which humorously captured aspects of student life, from first-year dorms to Carter Mountain trips.
University President Jim Ryan followed Rucker’s recitation by recognizing the Class of 2026’s contributions to the University, particularly their support for the community during times of joy and sorrow.
“We as a community have had reasons to celebrate and to mourn,” Ryan said. “Throughout, you've not only supported each other, but you've also worked to build bridges and to make this community even stronger.”
After listening to the speeches, third-year College student Wystan Byers said the ceremony reminded him of the progress his class has achieved. For him, the event felt like a milestone in his college career.
“This makes it set in that we're actually halfway through college,” Byers said. “It makes you realize how much you've done in the past couple years.”
For many students, part of this milestone included receiving and admiring their class rings. The ring design includes the Class of 2026 insignia, the Virginia Sabre and the Roman goddess Minerva. Wyatt Dayhoff, Third Year Ceremony co-chair and third-year Batten student, said the rings serve as mementos of students’ time at the University.
“Yes, it is just a piece of jewelry … but it is kind of an artifact of our time at U.Va.,” Dayhoff said. “It reminds us, after we graduate, of all the ties that we made here.”
While treasured keepsakes, the rings present a cost too steep for some students — the standard women’s size costs $575, and the standard men’s size costs $775. To alleviate monetary concerns, the Third Year Ceremony committee annually invites students with financial need to apply to Class Council ring scholarships. Anne Krehmeyer, Third Year Ceremony co-chair and third-year Batten student, outlined the committee’s goal of making rings more accessible this year.
“This summer was largely focused on fundraising for scholarships to provide as many scholarships to our classmates as possible,” Krehmeyer said.
Out of the 135 students who applied to the Class Council scholarship this year, 52 received awards. According to Dayhoff, the Third Year Ceremony committee received a record-breaking number of applications this cycle, which contributed to the selection rate’s decrease from last year, when 50 out of 105 students received scholarships.
Donors to the Class Council scholarships included the Alumni Association, University President Jim Ryan, the Center for Politics, the Center for Diversity in Engineering and the Z Society. The Honor Committee additionally funded one ring through its own scholarship and application process.
Beyond presenting students with their class rings, the Third Year Ceremony brought together students and families in joyous celebration. In her speech during the ceremony, Lily West, chief executive officer of the Alumni Association encouraged students to always remember their ties to the University regardless of whether they received a ring.
“You are connected to that great constellation of graduates, that extraordinary community of alumni,” West said. “May you savor this moment, may you seize your second half, and may you know that you are now forever part of this magnificent and multifaceted U.Va. family. Wahoowa!”
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