UT Social Work celebrated 185 graduates from the School of Social Work during the 2026 commencement ceremony. The event recognized BSW, MSSW and Ph.D. graduates.
This year’s program featured a keynote address from Texas Longhorns head diving coach and five-time U.S. Olympic diving coach Matt Scoggin (BSW ’87). In his speech, Scoggin credited his athletic success to the worldview and skills he gained as a social work student.
As head diving coach at Texas for more than 30 years, Scoggin has guided divers to 23 individual NCAA championships and five U.S. Olympic Games. With Scoggin at the helm, the Longhorns have won 12 NCAA National Championships, and are currently the reigning back-to-back national champions.
Work’s commencement ceremony on May 9, 2026, at Bass Concert Hall
“Go do the meaningful work — in service of others and human dignity — and encourage others to go for their dreams,” Scoggin told the graduates.
Graduates were welcomed into their new cohort as alumni by Rachael Cayton Barden (MSSW ’04), LCSW-S, chair of the School of Social Work Alumni Board. “There is a place for you here, to engage with other alumni and make the UT Social Work community what you want and need it to be,” she said from the podium.
the UT Social Work alumni board
welcomes graduates
to the rank of alumni
The School of Social Work program was held in the Bass Concert Hall, followed by the University-wide commencement program at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
on the field at DKR Memorial Stadium