A group of Marietta College students pose for a photo to celebrate graduation Saturday afternoon. (Photo provided)

Marietta College honored more than 200 graduates Saturday, during its 189th commencement ceremony, according to a release from the college.

The Class of 2026 was recognized during the ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, where President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty addressed graduates.

“Your education will change the trajectory of your life in ways that you cannot now know,” Dougherty said, according to the release. “I hope that what you’ve been gaining here at Marietta, in addition to a great education and the opportunity to grow in knowledge and skills, is an understanding of the importance of community and the realization that we all grow stronger together.”

Earlier in the day, graduates and their families attended The Long Blue Line Brunch in Fenton Court at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. The program was hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Alumni Association Council and included remarks, recognitions and a performance by the Floodstage ensemble, according to the release.

“The Long Blue Line Brunch symbolizes our graduates’ official welcome into The Long Blue Line,” said Bethany McFarland Leslie, vice president for advancement and a 2012 graduate. “It’s a meaningful tradition that reflects the enduring relationships and lifelong connections our graduates will continue to share with Marietta College and with one another.”

The commencement ceremony included student speakers selected through the Jewett Speech Competition. Katherine O. Taylor, a health science graduate and first-place winner, delivered “This Is It,” and Kanae Yoshida, a communication studies graduate and second-place winner, presented “Knocking on The Door,” according to the release.

The program also included performances by the Marietta College Symphonic Band and Concert Choir.

Academic honors recognized during the ceremony included 24 academic prizes and awards, 13 capstone honors and students from 20 academic honor societies, according to the release.

Faculty awards were presented to Dr. Amy Elliott, who received The Dave & Calla Hood Outstanding Faculty Award, and Dr. Brian Rider, who received The John G. and Jeanne B. McCoy Endowment for Teaching Excellence.

The college named Breanna C. Herrick valedictorian. Herrick graduated with a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelor of Arts in special education/elementary dual preparation. Jared Trenner was named salutatorian with a 3.996 GPA and a Bachelor of Science in sports medicine, according to the release.

Commencement speaker Megs J. Schreck Yunn, a 2006 Marietta College graduate and founder and executive director of Beverly’s PGH, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, also addressed the class.

“Today, you join The Long Blue Line. You are now a part of the story of this place,” Yunn said, according to the release. “You leave as Pioneers, not because you have everything figured out, but because you are willing to go forward anyway.”

Several graduates had secured full-time positions before graduation, according to the release. Kelsey Bowman will serve as marketing supervisor at Grimm Scientific Industries in Marietta, and Bryce Moyers will join Royse Partners Limited in Houston as a financial analyst.

The college also held a recognition ceremony Sunday for six members of the men’s rowing team who were unable to attend Saturday’s commencement because they were competing at the Dad Vail Regatta in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, according to the release.