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Photo Shoots, Mortarboard Bling, and More: Senior Days 2026

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Ahead of Commencement, this year's grads had a blast—including canoeing on Beebe and navigating an indoor ropes course

By Beth Saulnier

Less than a week before they were scheduled to march into Schoellkopf in cap and gown, some members of the Class of ’26 navigated the stadium in a more dramatic way: by rappelling down the outside. It was just one of the many activities offered during Senior Days, a series of events hosted by Student and Campus Life in the run-up to Commencement.

In addition to the Crescent adventure, there was a movie screening on the Arts Quad (complete with s’mores), a Chimes concert in McGraw Tower, a food truck feast, mortarboard decorating, the chance to try an indoor ropes course, canoeing on Beebe, wine tasting, and a twilight cruise on Seneca Lake—among other fun.

Plus, Alumni Affairs hosted a barbecue outside the Schwartz Center in Collegetown, with the main meal catered by Collegetown Bagels and extra sips and nibbles offered at various storefronts around the neighborhood.

(The Cornellians staff had a hardship assignment: handing out hundreds of warm treats from Insomnia Cookies!)

And of course, beyond the official events, many students took the opportunity to pose for photos in their graduation regalia against the backdrop of East Hill's beauty.

Here's a photographic sampling of Senior Days 2026!