Bellevue University to Celebrate Winter Commencement with Over 500 Graduates
Join us Jan. 31 or watch the ceremony live online!
On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, more than 500 Bellevue University students will receive their diplomas during the University’s Winter Commencement ceremony at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The ceremony will begin at 9:10 a.m. with a procession of graduates, followed by the program at 9:30 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed.
According to University Registrar Colette Lewis, Bellevue University conferred 1,326 degrees between April 30, 2025 and Sept. 30, 2025. The University now boasts over 70,000 graduates worldwide.
The ceremony will feature Terry Kroeger, Chairman and CEO of Smith Kroeger, a full-service Omaha-based advertising agency. A former publisher of the Omaha World-Herald, Kroeger grew Smith Kroeger fourfold since acquiring it in 2019 and recently expanded the agency by merging with RCG, making the combined firm one of the Midwest’s leading creative and media firms.
This year’s student commencement speaker is Dr. Patience Mudundulu, who earned her Doctor of Business Administration from Bellevue. Born in Lusaka, Zambia, and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mudundulu worked alongside her family cleaning homes and offices to support her education.
She now serves as Sr. Global Go-to-Market Leader for Agentic AI at Amazon Web Services and as an adjunct professor of AI and Machine Learning at City Colleges of Chicago, using her skills and knowledge to support education and opportunity for immigrant and underrepresented communities.
“What makes Bellevue University unique is the way it supports students from every background in reaching their goals,” said University President Dr. Mary Hawkins. “Dr. Patience Mudundulu’s journey shows us that perseverance and determination can turn sacrifice into achievement, and that education opens doors to new possibilities.”
Bellevue University will also host an Open House for graduates and their family and friends on Friday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Margre H. Durham Student Center on the Bellevue University campus. The event will include refreshments, campus tours, and opportunities to meet instructors and classmates.
For more information about the Winter Commencement Ceremony, visit the Complete Guide online.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).