Photos: From Flau’jae to Shaq: LSU’s class of ‘26 shines MICHAEL JOHNSON | STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST | michael.johnson@theadvocate.com Michael Johnson Author email May 16, 2026 May 16, 2026 SMS Email Print Copy article link Save LSU held their spring commencement this weekend, May 15 and 16, awarding more than 5,700 degrees making the Class of 2026 the school’s largest. Amongst those who walked across the stage receiving degrees where names like Flau’jae Johnson and Shaquille “I Hate Charles Barkley†O’Neil. BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_2724 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal with the class of 2026 following commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1373 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Flau’jae Johnson waves to the crowd after receiving her diploma from LSU during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_3481 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Berkeley Bolinger walks with her service dog in training Harlan during the commencement ceremony at the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1484 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 LSU centerfielder Jalia Lassiter (7) receives her diploma from LSU during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Lassiter wore her uniform under her cap and gown due to the regional softball game following graduation. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1515 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Country music star Tim McGraw waits for his nephew Timothy Wayne to walk onto the stage for his diploma during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_8888 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Poorna Munagala walks to the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture to receive her masters degree on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_4862 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 LSU students, graduates, family and friends fill the arena during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_6 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Mark Reese performs a fraternity dance called hopping on stage while walking to receive his diploma during commencement for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_8982 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Jamie Catalanotto fixes the tassel of her daughter Marissa Catalanotto before the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1074 MJ.JPG Updated May 17, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal waves to the crowd during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_8875 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Graduate Aaliyah Hudson walks away from PMAC following the commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Friday, May 15, 2026 in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_2127 MJ.JPG Updated May 17, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal waves after receiving his master's during LSU’s commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_2696 MJ.JPG Updated May 17, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal leads the graduates through a chant after giving a speech during LSU’s commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_3355 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A graduate wears a decorated cap during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1340 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Flau’jae Johnson receives her diploma from LSU during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1397 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Flau’jae Johnson celebrates after receiving her diploma from LSU during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1578 MJ.JPG Updated May 17, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal waits with the other LSU doctorate graduates during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_2087 MJ.JPG Updated May 17, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal receives his master's during LSU’s commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_888 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal walks into the arena for the commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_855 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 LSU centerfielder Jalia Lassiter waits for commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education to start just hours before her team plays in the NCAA regionals on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_4955 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal hugs his mother Dr. Lucille O’Neal after receiving a doctorate degree from LSU during the commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_5347 MJ.JPG Updated May 19, 2026 Confetti falls on Shaquille O’Neal and the other graduates following the commencement ceremony for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_154 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Joy Tate photograph after receiving her diploma from Rutgers President and former LSU President William Tate during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1850 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Country music star Tim McGraw and his family cheer as his nephew Timothy Wayne walks across the stage for his diploma during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_1231 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal sits with the other LSU doctorate graduates during commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_343 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Deborah Reynolds dances on to the stage during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_584 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 India Bethley gives a thumbs up after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9983 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Haley Morris poses for a photograph after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_3412 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A soon to be graduate waves to the crowd moments before the start of the College of Agriculture’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_3448 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Students from LSU’s school of nutrition and food sciences gather for a photo before the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_416 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Zaria Miller smiles while receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_751 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Jessica Neill the oldest graduate at the College of Agriculture commencement poses with her diploma on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_8935 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Soon to be graduates walk across the campus to their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026 in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9019 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A graduate wears a decorated cap during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9035 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A graduate wears a decorated cap during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9146 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A graduate wears a decorated cap during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9369 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Bryce McCutchan receivers a university medal at the College of Agriculture’s commencement cerimony on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9427 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 University medalist Ali Morris receivers her medal on stage during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9634 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Jordan Losavio is hooded as she receives her doctorate during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9663 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Marquette Anderson is hooded as she receives her doctorate during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9715 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Kathryn Biles receivers her masters during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9740 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Raven Simmons waves as she walks onto the stage to receive her masters during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9000 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Madeline Jarreau wears a bejeweled tiger cap at the commencement for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_684 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Imagine Murff holds up her diploma while walking off the stage during the commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_835 MJ.JPG May 15, 2026 A student walks to a graduation ceremony on the campus of LSU on Friday, May 15, 2026 in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.lsugrad.adv_9047 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 A soon to be graduate wears a cap with the 2026 tassel before commencement for the College of Agriculture on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Maddox Fieldhouse in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON BR.flaujaeshaqgrad.051726_5081 MJ.JPG Updated May 16, 2026 Shaquille O’Neal with the class of 2026 following commencement for the College of Human Sciences and Education on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, ¶¶Òõh. This was O’Neal’s fifth degree. Staff photo by Michael Johnson STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON Tags Baton Rouge Lousiana Lsu Lsu Graduation Lsu Graduates Pmac Shaq Shaquille O'neal Flau'jae Johnson Michael Johnson Author email SMS Email Print Copy article link Save