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UVF’s 87th Baccalaureate & Commencement

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On the eighth of May, 2026, the University of Valley Forge (UVF) held its 87th annual Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies, where President David J. Kim conferred degrees on the graduating class of 2026.

A Morning of Worship and Reflection

Family, friends, and fellow students all gathered in the Green Lane Commons at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the graduates. Rev. Jennifer Gale, Vice President of Student Life, greeted all attendees and opened the day in a prayer and worship service before a baccalaureate message from Rev. Shaina Ciaccio and graduating seniors David Markland and Megan Campbell. In honor of the long-standing tradition of UVF’s baccalaureate services, these speakers shared about the legacy of the past, present, and future, highlighting God’s faithfulness to see us through every season. 

Commencement Address by Dr. David Dippold

During Commencement, President Kim introduced Dr. David Dippold as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026. Dr. Dippold has been a beloved faculty member of UVF since 1996 and continues to serve as both a professor and the chair of the Ministry Leadership and Theology Department. He teaches several courses in theology, philosophy, hermeneutics, and ministry formation, providing the engaging lectures for which he is well known. Both students and other faculty members look up to and admire Dr. Dippold for his passion, wisdom, and support in helping students grow in their walk with the Lord. 

Conferring of Degrees and Sending Forth

After Dr. Dippold concluded the commencement address, President Kim and Dr. Todd Guevin had the honor of presenting each graduating senior with their respective graduate or undergraduate degrees. While we will deeply miss the class of 2026, UVF is proud to send each student off to join the mission of their fellow University of Valley Forge alumni to be servant leaders in both the church and the world.  

To watch the Baccalaureate service, click here.
To watch the Commencement ceremony, click here.
For more information on the University, visit uvf.edu

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A homeschool transcript should include the following:   

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Homeschool students typically don’t have a GPA or class rank based on a standardized grading system. You may be asked to provide your grading scale (e.g., A = 90-100, B = 80-89, etc.) and explain how you evaluate coursework. . 

If your grading was pass/fail, a work sample does help us evaluate the rigor of your coursework. 

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You may be asked to provide documentation showing that your homeschooling complies with the laws of your state (e.g., notice of intent to homeschool, records of testing or assessments). We are familiar with most states’ homeschool laws. 

Yes, you can still apply as a homeschooled student if you were homeschooled for any portion of high school. You’ll need to explain the structure of your education and provide transcripts for both your public/private school and homeschool years, if applicable. 

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We always encourage students to come for an on-campus visit.  It can be a great opportunity to showcase your personality and explain your homeschooling background in person. It’s also a chance to ask questions about the college and demonstrate your interest in the school. 

Homeschooling allows you to tailor your education to your interests and strengths. We appreciate the diversity of perspectives that homeschool students bring, so don’t be afraid to highlight how your education has been non-traditional but still rigorous and meaningful. 

If you’ve taken college-level courses during high school (dual enrollment), make sure to include those credits on your application. You’ll need to request official transcripts from the college(s) where you took courses and submit them to your prospective schools. 

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