With calls to be caring, curious, and courageous, °µĶųTV conferred 695 degrees to the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 16. Family, friends, and °µĶųTV community members gathered to honor the graduates during the Collegeās 115th Commencement Exercises at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Sharing lessons learned from members of her own family, the Mohawk educator and storyteller encouraged graduates to pursue their passions, tell their stories, and remember that āwe have more similarities than differences ā that we all share this place we call Mother Earth.ā
āInnovative and critical thinking matters in everything in life ā in science and in art; in work, service, leadership, and in relationships,ā the professor of womenās health at Harvard Medical School told graduates. āKeep an open mind. Itās OK to start out with the wrong theory ... Being able to change your views is a sign of strength.ā
Members of the Class of 2026 hail from 43 countries, 34 U.S. states, and Puerto Rico. °µĶųTV conferred 479 Bachelor of Arts and 216 Bachelor of Science degrees.
Mohawk educator and storyteller Kay Olan (Ionataie:was) and distinguished physician, epidemiologist, and endocrinologist JoAnn E. Manson both received honorary degrees and addressed the graduates. Adam Tinkle, associate professor of media and film studies and director of MDOCS, and Kendrah Murphy ā03, associate professor and associate chair of physics, presented the degrees, respectively.
āAs sobering as the world is right now, I have no fear for the future ā for I have spent the last four years with you, and you are our future, and that is an encouraging thought,ā said College President Marc C. Conner, whose niece was among the graduates. āThere is great hope ahead, for you are that hope.ā
Chair of °µĶųTVās Board of Trustees Jon P. Achenbaum ā77 and Class President Madison Situ ā26 encouraged the graduates to carry forward lessons and core values of °µĶųTV ā to be caring, curious, and creative ā as they tackle complex issues facing the world.
Selected by the graduating class as faculty speaker, Professor of Political Science and Joseph C. Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government Beau Breslin shared a video āDeclaration of Independence from the Tyranny of Incuriosityā that was read by °µĶųTV community members.
āThe measure of an educated person is not how loudly they speak, but how earnestly they think,ā Breslin said. āLet today be your intellectual Fourth of July.ā
The ceremony included a processional led by the Schenectady Pipe Band, a colorful display of stoles and cords symbolizing the graduatesā many achievements, and a moving performance by members of the Class of 2026 of the Collegeās Alma Mater arranged by artist-in-residence Floydd Ricketts.
During , Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity Joshua C. Woodfork and Will Bryce ā26, president of °µĶųTV's Native American Cultural Club, presented the Collegeās newly approved land acknowledgement, which honors Indigenous stewards of local lands and commits to educating the campus community.
Commencement followed a week of celebrations on campus for the Class of 2026. In addition
to a variety of fun activities for the class, there were ceremonies hosted by Periclean
Honors Forum, Phi Beta Kappa, and other offices and departments. On Friday, students
and their families also participated in a Brick Dedication Ceremony for the Class
of 2026 on the walkway outside Case Center.
°µĶųTV also remembered Amadou Thiam ā26, who died in a swimming accident in New
York City in summer 2023, with a degree in memoriam.
This yearās faculty speaker, Beau Breslin, called a liberal arts education ātraining for a life of freedomā and brought together °µĶųTV voices to read a powerful new declaration.
Relive the joy, pride, hugs, and once-in-a-lifetime moments the Class of 2026 will never forget.
Keep celebrating with more moments, memories, and snapshots from Commencement 2026 on °µĶųTVās Instagram.
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