Highlights from Commencement Day 2026

On Monday, May 18, the twenty-nine Yale Institute of Sacred Music students of the 2026 graduating class joined the university-wide commencement proceedings on Old Campus. Of the degrees awarded to ISM graduates, ten received the Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.), one the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), five the Master of Divinity (M.Div), ten the Master of Music (M.M.), two the Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.), and one the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.).

ISM students affiliated with the Yale Divinity School also attended a separate ceremony in the Sterling Divinity Quadrangle, and those affiliated with the Yale School of Music attended a ceremony in Morse Recital Hall.

On the Sunday evening prior, May 17, the the ISM honored its newest graduates and awards winners at a commencement dinner held in the Old Refectory at Yale Divinity School.

Read about the ISM’s graduation and awards banquet on Sunday, May 17, and view photos from that event.

Read more about Yale Divinity School’s commencement ceremony on the YDS website.

Read more about Yale School of Music’s commencement ceremony on the YSM website.

Photos below by Jeff Hazewinkel, Sam Denler, Katrina Liao, Jean Santopatre (courtesy of Yale Divinity School) and Sara Gardner (courtesy of Yale School of Music). View individual photos for specific credits.