Pikes Peak State College to Celebrate Class of 2026 with Commencement Ceremony Honoring Student Achievement and Community Impact

Colorado Springs, CO – Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) will celebrate the Class of 2026 during its annual Commencement Ceremony, honoring the academic achievements, resilience and aspirations of its graduates. The ceremony will begin at 10:30am at the Broadmoor World Arena (3185 Venetucci Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906). Livestream details will be available at pikespeak.edu/commencement.

This year’s keynote speaker is Lonnie Cramer, President and CEO of UCHealth Southern Colorado Region. Cramer brings nearly 30 years of healthcare operations experience and leads a regional system that includes six hospitals and multiple clinics serving communities across Colorado Springs, Woodland Park and Pueblo.

As of now, approximately 2,600 students have applied for graduation during the 2025–2026 academic year, requesting nearly 3,500 credentials. These include about 1,867 associate degrees, 100 bachelor’s degrees and 1,220 certificates.*

Among graduation applicants, approximately 46% identify as first-generation college students, 39% are from minority backgrounds, 21% are Hispanic/Latino and 15% are military-affiliated. Applicants range in age from 16 to 70, reflecting the college’s commitment to accessible, affordable education at every stage of life.

“There’s nothing like PPSC Commencement!  Watching our students celebrate everything they’ve accomplished is truly one of the best days of the year,” says PPSC President Dr. Lance Bolton. "Our graduates don’t just earn degrees and certificates, they are transforming their lives, the lives of their families and ultimately creating a stronger Pikes Peak Region.”  

This year’s ceremony will include a public reading of PPSC’s Land Acknowledgement statement by a First Nation’s Promise scholar, Margo Condon. PPSC has now operating in its Hispanic Serving Institute designation and is now also designated as a First Generation-Serving Institute, aligning with the diversity and lived experiences of its student population.

Pikes Peak State College invites the press and public to join in celebrating the Class of 2026—a group of graduates defined by perseverance, purpose and the drive to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

About Pikes Peak State College (PPSC):
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certificates in career and technical fields and a growing number of bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.

Media Contact: 
Rachel Tyrrell BS, BA 
Content Coordinator
Marketing and Communications
Pikes Peak State College 
Mobile:  719-715-3297  
Email: rachel.tyrrell@pikespeak.edu