Reunion at Commencement 2026
Each Commencement ceremony promises to be a celebration of legacy and achievement, bringing together alumni spanning several decades. As we honor the graduating class of 2026, we also pay tribute to the rich history and enduring spirit of those who graduated in the distinguished years of 1946, 1951, 1956, 1966, 1976 and 1986.
The nostalgia of your own graduation day merges with the anticipation of witnessing the next generation embark on their journeys. It’s a powerful reminder of the enduring bond that unites generations of alumni – a shared love for knowledge, growth, and your alma mater.
Reunion members can access their yearbooks here.
Join Your Class Exclusive Group!
We encourage you to join your class-exclusive Facebook group! You’ll be asked to enter your QC grad year. There you will be able to reconnect with QC friends, exchange photos, messages and so much more!
Commencement was a magical event in so many ways!
Click here to watch the 102nd Annual Commencement Ceremony special highlights video that really captures much of the magic.
Missed the ceremony? Don’t worry!
Click here to watch the full Commencement Ceremony
View the Commencement 2026 booklet here: bit.ly/QC2026Commencement
Share Your QC Memories With Us!
The Office of Alumni Relations ENCOURAGES you to share your Queens College memories with us! Tell us an anecdote or a nostalgic story about your time at your alma mater. Email us at qcreunions@qc.cuny.edu.
In the year 1946...
- The United Nations held its first General Assembly meeting in London.
- The first Cannes Film Festival was held after being delayed by WWII.
- ENIAC, one of the earliest electronic general-purpose computers, was completed.
- The Baby Boom officially began.
In the year 1951...
- The first commercial computer, UNIVAC I, was delivered in the United States.
- The 22nd Amendment, limiting U.S. presidents to two terms, was ratified.
- Color television broadcasts began in the United States (CBS).
- Direct-dial long-distance calling debuted in the U.S.
In the year 1956...
- Elvis Presley made his national TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.
- IBM introduced the first hard disk drive (RAMAC 305).
- The first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Switzerland.
- TV dinners became a household staple.
In the year 1966...
- The Beatles released Revolver, considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
- NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 1 took the first photo of Earth from the Moon’s orbit.
- The U.S. launched the National Historic Preservation Act, creating the National Register of Historic Places.
- Star Trek premiered on television.
In the year 1976...
- Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
- NASA’s Viking 1 spacecraft successfully landed on Mars.
- The first commercial Concorde flights began.
- Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen hit #1 in the UK and reached #9 in the U.S.
In the year 1986...
- The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) dominated the U.S. market, launching the modern video-game era.
- The Pixar animation studio was founded.
- Halley’s Comet made its once-every-76-years appearance.
- Oprah Winfrey launched her national talk show.
In the year 1996...
- The first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was announced to the world.
- DVDs were released in Japan (and soon globally), revolutionizing home media.
- The Spice Girls debuted with “Wannabe,” defining late-90s pop culture.
- Hotmail launched free web-based email.
In the year 2001...
- Wikipedia was launched as a free online encyclopedia.
- Apple introduced the first iPod, changing portable music forever.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone premiered as the first film in the franchise.
- The Xbox entered the gaming market.
In the year 2006...
- Twitter was launched, beginning the era of microblogging.
- NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft launched toward Pluto.
- The Nintendo Wii was released and became a global sensation.
- High School Musical became a cultural hit.
In the year 2016...
- The Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years.
- NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered Jupiter’s orbit, providing new insights into the planet.
- Hamilton became a cultural landmark as it expanded nationwide and dominated major awards.
- Pokémon Go became a global phenomenon.
The kindness, respect, and interest of many of the professors—especially Harold Lenz (Dean & German Department) and Robert Goldwater (Art Department).
I was fortunate to have outstanding professors.
I enjoyed sorority life because we did not live on campus.
The campus was all grass and open space and we could study and socialize in a beautiful environment.
A favorite and wonderful memory: I met my husband at Queens College, resulting in five children and eight grandchildren.
Not being allowed to wear pants to class and having to change clothes in the bathroom between classes.
Participating in intramural diving competition as a representative of my house plan.
Also, encountering and being entertained by Paul Simon in 1962 at Freshman Leadership Weekend in I think Nyack, NY.
I loved the monthly semi-formal dances in the cafeteria. The music of the many ethnic students were played—Latin, Greek, Turkish, Jewish, contemporary American, etc. Everyone danced to everything! We got to know so many fellow classmates in such a fun way!
I remember when the Student Union opened.
A new fabulous destination to spend our free time—there was even a pristine pool and billiard room.
Parking: Getting to class one hour early just to follow someone to their car and take their parking space.
Training rats in Experimental Psychology.
I enjoyed the academics, but I also enjoyed the fun activities. I was the captain of the Junior Varsity Cheerleaders. I worked in the Record Shop when the Student Union first opened.
But firstly, I was a SEEK student who was very proud to be the first in my family to receive a college degree. I was honored to attend my 50th alumni graduation.
I was introduced to the first PC when they came out at Q.C. My school principal allowed me to buy one for my 5th-grade classroom in 1976 (I believe).
Over the years we added more computers there until I was able to set up a full computer lab and eventually a full STEAM lab. Students & teacher learned the technology together!
Debating all the radical groups that had tables in the cafeteria. We had really wild arguments.
Aside from my major of Community Health Ed., I took a variety of courses in different subjects.
I met many new friends, including hippies, and was transitioning to fun disco times.
My boyfriend, Gennaro Riccitelli, proposed to me in 1973 in front of the Queens College Library.
This December 29, 2026, we will be married 52 years. How wonderful!
My fondest memory is being part of the Foreign Language Club at QC. My greatest memory is that my graduating class of 1976 was the last “tuition-free” class at Queens College!
I was a Computer Science major and in 1976 the Computer Center was in a building called Temp 2. In those days, we submitted punch card decks and waited for our printouts. Then we would “debug” on paper. We became close friends sitting on the hallway floor, drinking coffee.
I attended weddings and still stayed in touch with people I met.
Just 2 weeks ago, we met in lower Manhattan and went to the 9/11 Museum together (I am a docent).
Thank you for my wonderful education, which started me on a continued journey of a life of learning!
And serving my country — 23-year Air Force Lt. Col., retired.
Queens College Women’s Basketball Team Division I team.
Commuting from the Bronx. I always loved the beautiful campus and the non-city atmosphere, being at a city university campus.
I had Prof. Gross for Modern American Novel. I met her again at a speech by a famous American science fiction writer.
I couldn’t even write out physical lab reports, so I couldn’t pass/graduate a computer science class. So after three months, I changed to an accounting class and I graduated! That’s my big memory and THANK YOU QC!
Contact Us!
Office of Alumni Relations
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Queens, NY 11367-1597