Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2026 had 144 graduates celebrated during Liberty University’s 2026 Commencement Week that featured a Graduation Awards Banquet, Military Commissioning Ceremony, and a Hooding Ceremony.
The week began on Wednesday, May 13th with a Commissioning Ceremony for 10 Military Graduates inside the Blue Auditorium at LUCOM that afternoon. Mark E. Rolfs, DO, PharmD, CAQSM administered the oath of office to four Army graduates, while Lieutenant Colonel Mark Arriola, United States Air Force Retired, administered the oath of office to two Air Force graduates and Captain Mike Coleman, US Navy Retired administered the oath of office to four Navy graduates.
Once the graduates took the oath their friends and family placed the pins on their uniforms. The 10 graduates were then gifted challenge coins, which are small, medallion-like tokens, often adorned with the emblem or insignia of the presenting organization. They serve as a symbol of membership, belonging, and camaraderie. The coins are used to acknowledge an individual’s achievements, dedication, or exemplary service, and serve as a tangible reminder of the appreciation and respect of their peers and superiors.
After the military were honored, the special week continued in downtown Lynchburg at The Virginian Hotel for the Graduation Banquet on Wednesday evening. The night featured dinner, fellowship and awards that were handed out to various students.
Several faculty members were in attendance to present awards and celebrate the student-doctors they have taught for four years. 17 student-doctors received awards as voted on by their peers. The awards ranged from OMM and Anatomy Fellow Recognition to Clinical Service Awards. Benjamin Knick was given the Academic and Clinical Excellence Award, one of the most prestigious awards of the night.
Numerous students were acknowledged with certificates for Honors and Highest Honors, while other students were honored for their many years of service in the tutorial program. A group of students were honored for their time as LUCOM Ambassadors and a handful were honored with mission-aligned certificates including Samaritan’s Purse and The Luke Commission. A pair of students were honored as the first to complete requirements to receive the Global Health Service Certificate, which gave the students an opportunity to explore medical missions on a deeper level during their time at LUCOM.
The night ended with more fellowship, conversation and excitement in preparation for the biggest event of the week on Thursday, the Hooding Ceremony.
The Hooding Ceremony was hosted at the School of Music Concert Hall where individuals were gathered to hear their names called, walk across stage, get hooded, shake hands and celebrate with family and friends.
The processional began and the student-doctors, faculty and platform party all filled into the empty spaces of the concert hall. After everyone was seated the ceremony began with a prayer from John Pierce, MD, and opening remarks from Dean Joseph R. Johnson, DO, FACOOG (Dist). Then Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott M. Hicks, Ph.D. gave remarks to all the graduates.
A few minutes later, the first group of the 144 individuals walked onto stage as student-doctors and walked off the other side as doctors and the ninth graduating class of LUCOM.
Commencement Week concluded with the 2026 Commencement Main Ceremony on Friday inside Williams Stadium that featured speakers and fulfillment of hard work from the 53rd graduating class of Liberty University.
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