On May 1, 2026, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry held one of the largest Wizard Hat Ceremonies to date. In the awards portion of the ceremony, we gave excellence awards to 10 students, announced 16 recipients of scholarships, internships and fellowships, celebrated 5 undergraduate and 5 graduate students for various other awards, and named our 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior.
Spring 2026 Award Ceremony
In Spring 2026, twenty-three chemistry majors earned their Bachelor’s degrees. They all received their very own wizard hat and then our “Grand Wizard,” Dr. Ken Cornell, led the graduates in taking the Wizard Oath, both important pieces of our department’s graduation tradition.
Video Transcript: Wizard Oath Sp26
[Ken Cornell, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry] At this stage, the only thing you need to remember is your name. But otherwise, you need to repeat what I tell you to, okay? So, um, and I’ll let you know when. All right. Um, I’m honored to have been invited to be part of this tradition to recognize the new graduates. Um, to you who are about to graduate, you’ve learned about electrons, which might not be useful. [Laughter] You’ve learned about mechanisms, which are mostly wrong. [Laughter] You’ve used a bunch of formulae…uh, hah, hah. [Laughter] You’ve been introduced to the fickle world of chemical research. Some of you have been, uh, excellent, and some of you are still, um, getting introduced. As you’ve mastered these mysteries of the universe, you’re invited to take this pledge and join a distinguished tradition. So, you’re placing your left hand as close as you can [Laughter] to the CRC manual um, and, uh, you’re going to repeat after me.
[Ken Cornell] I…
[Graduates] I…
[Ken Cornell] Say your name.
[Graduates] [Various names spoken together]
[Ken Cornell] Do hereby gleefully swear to use my considerable alchemical skills…
[Graduates] Do hereby gleefully swear to use my considerable alchemical skills…
[Audience Member] Maybe smaller chunks, Dr. Cornell! [Laughter]
[Ken Cornell] For the advancement of humanity…
[Graduates] For the advancement of humanity…
[Ken Cornell] And the preservation of our celestial home…
[Graduates] And the preservation of our celestial home…
[Ken Cornell] I further swear…
[Graduates] I further swear…
[Ken Cornell] That I will never take my knowledge…
[Graduates] That I will never take my knowledge…
[Ken Cornell] Of the alchemical arts for granted…
[Graduates] Of the alchemical arts for granted…
[Ken Cornell] Nor allow myself to be seduced…
[Graduates] Nor allow myself to be seduced…
[Ken Cornell] By the dark arts of business and politics…
[Graduates] By the dark arts of business and politics…
[Ken Cornell] And…
[Graduates] And…
[Ken Cornell] I will do all in my power…
[Graduates] I will do all in my power…
[Ken Cornell] To spread the word of alchemical enlightenment…
[Graduates] To spread the word of alchemical enlightenment…
[Ken Cornell] Throughout the world…
[Graduates] Throughout the world…
[Ken Cornell] Whenever the opportunity arises…
[Graduates] Whenever the opportunity arises…
[Ken Cornell] Finally…
[Graduates] Finally…
[Ken Cornell] I swear…
[Graduates] I swear…
[Ken Cornell] That I am up to no good.
[Graduates] That I am up to no good. [Laughter]
[Ken Cornell] All right. By the power invested in me by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, spontaneously 10 minutes ago, in affiliation with the Liverwort Academy of Alchemical Wizardry, I do hereby pronounce you Level 1 Alchemical Wizards. Go forth into the world and do wonderful things! Mischief managed!
[Applause and cheering]
This Spring we also recognized the graduation of 6 Master’s students! All but one of them had earned their Bachelor’s degrees through our program, taking their own Wizard Oath just a couple of years prior. To celebrate earning a Master’s in Chemistry, a second star is added to the graduate’s wizard hat.
In a new twist to our graduation tradition, our faculty in attendance at commencement also donned wizard hats to celebrate our graduates. It’s been a lot of fun for our students to see their professors wearing the same hats they’ve been working so hard for!
Congratulations to all of our Spring 2026 graduates! We’re excited to see what the future brings to our newest class of wizards!