Mackey Arena to host Purdue Global’s October commencement ceremonies
532 Indiana residents, more than 3,500 total graduates to be celebrated
Purdue Global graduates celebrate during a commencement ceremony in May 2026. (Purdue Global photo/Kelsey Lefever)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global will celebrate the achievements of more than 3,500 graduates on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus Oct. 3-4, with in-person ceremonies being held at Mackey Arena.
An estimated 11,000 family, friends, faculty and staff are expected to be on campus to attend commencement and university-related events throughout the weekend.
Throughout the course of the weekend, graduates will be recognized for earning:
- 1,456 bachelor’s degrees
- 1,357 master’s degrees
- 147 doctoral degrees
- 280 associate degrees
- 285 certificates
The graduates include 532 Indiana residents. All 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 19 countries, are represented. There are 478 graduates affiliated with the military. Forty-six systemwide Purdue University employees are earning a Purdue Global degree or certificate through the Purdue Global Gift of Knowledge benefit.
Of the 3,525 registered graduates, 2,059 will be attending in-person ceremonies Oct. 3, while 1,466 will participate in virtual ceremonies Oct. 4. Purdue Global has seen 16,308 students graduate since October 2025.
The commencement ceremony schedule is:
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Mackey Arena
9 a.m. ET: Livestream
- School of Business and Information Technology
- Purdue Global Law School
1:30 p.m. ET: Livestream
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Nursing
6 p.m. ET: Livestream
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- School of Aviation
- School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies
Sunday, Oct. 4 — virtual
2 p.m. ET: Livestream
- Purdue Global Law School
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- School of Aviation
- School of Nursing
4 p.m. ET: Livestream
- School of Business and Information Technology
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies
Eva Nodine, Purdue Global’s chief executive officer, and Jennie Sanders, chief academic officer, will address graduates during the ceremonies. Ismail Joseph, who earned his Master of Science in higher education in 2018 from Purdue Global, will give the keynote address. Joseph also serves as a faculty member and works in Purdue Global’s Center for Career Advancement, supporting adult learners as they navigate returning to school, advancing their careers and redefining their futures.
The event will feature three graduates who will sing the national anthem — one for each ceremony. Tasha Bailey, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will sing in the first ceremony. Bailey earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration. The second ceremony will feature Keena Mapanao of San Diego, who will receive her Master of Science in Nursing — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ulrike Hoff of Ventura, California, who is receiving her Bachelor of Science in psychology, will sing in the third ceremony.
All ceremony attendees require a ticket for entry to Mackey Arena and must pass through security, including a bag check. Seating is general admission. Mackey Arena’s clear bag policy will be enforced. Medical and diaper bags are permitted but subject to inspection and tagging.
For more information, please visit the Commencement Showroom.
About Purdue Global
Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.