DECATUR, Ill. – More than 250 Millikin University graduates from the Class of 2026 will be honored during Spring Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin’s campus.
Two Commencement ceremonies will be held to recognize graduates from Millikin’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Millikin community members unable to attend in person will be able to watch the ceremonies through a public livestream at millikin.edu/commencement.
Graduates from the College of Fine Arts and the College of Professional Studies will participate in the first ceremony at 10 a.m. Doors will open at 9 a.m.
Graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Tabor School of Business will participate in the second ceremony at 3 p.m. Doors will open at 2 p.m.
This year’s Commencement keynote speaker will be Dr. James Rauff, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Millikin University. Rauff, who is retiring this year, has served Millikin students since 1988, completing a 38-year career at the University.
Rauff’s Commencement address is titled “Everywhere and Forever.”
A scholar whose work spans Mathematics, Computer Science, Linguistics, and Anthropology, Rauff holds a Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics from Northwestern University, master’s degrees in Mathematics from the University of Wyoming and Anthropology from Loyola University Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Albion College.
Throughout his career, Rauff has published more than 180 works across multiple academic fields and has been a longtime mentor to Millikin student researchers, directing numerous James Millikin Scholars and capstone projects.
His many honors include the Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Teacher Award, the James Millikin Scholars’ Educator of the Year Award, the Research and Artistic Achievement Award, and the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.
The ceremonies will also feature student speakers Carissa Guerrier and Miamaya Parra.
Guerrier, an Exercise Science major from Grayslake, Ill., will deliver a speech titled “Learning to Pivot: Trusting Yourself Through Change.”
With a pre-professional focus in physical therapy, Guerrier embraced Millikin’s Performance Learning approach through hands-on coursework, undergraduate research, and clinical experience as a physical therapy technician.
Guerrier has been a dedicated campus leader, serving as Secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Vice President of the Latin American Student Association, and President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She also contributed to campus life as a Wellness Peer Advocate, a Strength and Conditioning Intern at the Rathje Center, and a Big Blue Ambassador.
Following graduation, Guerrier will attend Saint Louis University to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Parra, a graduating senior from Chicago, is majoring in English Writing and Psychology with a minor in Spanish.
During her time at Millikin, Parra has been an active campus leader, serving as President of the Latin American Student Organization, Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and an EDGE mentor supporting first-year students as they transition to college life.
She has also worked as a student aide in the Office of Student Affairs and is a member of Black Student Union. After graduation, Parra plans to pursue graduate studies, with interests in public health, business, and continued service-oriented leadership.
For more information about Millikin University’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies, please visit millikin.edu/commencement.
