Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) will hold two ceremonies to honor its Class of 2026. This year, 1,200 undergraduates and nearly 700 graduate students, including master’s and PhD recipients, will be awarded their degrees during separate events.
All events will be held at the DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA, and will be led by WPI President Grace Wang and Board of Trustees Chair William Fitzgerald ’83.
Thursday, May 14
What: Graduate Commencement Exercises
Who: Lisa Barton ’87, president and CEO of Alliant Energy and a WPI electrical engineering alumna, will deliver the graduate commencement address. Honorary degrees will be awarded to Barton and Philip “Flip” Morgan, a fifth-generation member of the Morgan family to serve on WPI’s Board of Trustees and to have lead Morgan Construction Company as president and chief executive officer.
When: 5:00 p.m. Members of the media are asked to arrive by 4:30 p.m.; the ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.
Friday, May 15
What: Undergraduate Commencement Exercises
Who: will.i.am, artist, tech founder, and philanthropist, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address. Honorary degrees will be awarded to will.i.am and Paul Covec ’64, an entrepreneur and investor who has played a formative role in advancing technologies that shape modern industry.
When 2:00 p.m. Members of the media are asked to arrive by 1:15 p.m.; the ceremony is expected to last approximately three hours.
For full information about WPI’s 2026 Commencement events, including the livestream of each ceremony, visit: https://www.wpi.edu/news/annual-events/commencement
Media Credentials:
Members of the media wishing to cover any or all of these events in person must have WPI-issued credentials. To obtain credentials please contact:
Jon Cain
Senior Public Relations Manager
774-437-2157
jcain@wpi.edu
Editor’s Note:
If your outlet requires the use of will.i.am’s full legal name, it is William Adams. Other names shown on Wikipedia and previously published stories are incorrect. Please share this information with your copy editor, photo desk, and research/factchecking teams.
About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a top-tier, STEM-focused university with an R1 research classification and global leadership in project-based learning. Founded in 1865, WPI’s distinctive approach integrates classroom theory with real-world practice, preparing students to tackle critical challenges through inclusive education, impactful projects, and interdisciplinary research. With more than 70 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 18 academic departments and over 50 global project centers, WPI advances knowledge and innovation in fields such as life sciences, smart technologies, advanced materials and manufacturing, and global innovation. Learn more at www.wpi.edu.
