Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its 157th Commencement exercises, honoring graduates whose innovation, perseverance, and purpose-driven achievements will help shape the future. Ceremonies were held on May 14 and 15 at the DCU Center, where WPI awarded nearly 1,200 bachelor’s degrees, over 600 master’s degrees, and more than 60 doctoral degrees to graduates across a broad spectrum of disciplines in science, engineering, technology, business, and the humanities. Together, these graduates join a global network of WPI changemakers prepared to lead with knowledge, creativity, and impact.
Undergraduate Commencement
WPI President Grace Wang and Board of Trustees Chair William Fitzgerald presided over the university’s undergraduate Commencement exercises on Friday, May 15.
In her address, Wang reminded graduates that their WPI education has prepared them not only with technical expertise and ethical leadership skills, but with the resilience, critical thinking, teamwork, and global responsibility needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“We stand at the dawn of a new technological age,” said Wang. “There’s a good chance you will do jobs that are yet to be invented. You will work in companies that are yet to be established. You will address issues that are yet to be defined. This does not mean we should feel uncertain. This means everything can be questioned, and everything can be new. Never before has so much possibility existed to make the world better, the future brighter.”
Delivering an inspiring undergraduate address was multiplatinum, Grammy Award-winning artist, tech founder, philanthropist, and STEAM education advocate will.i.am. Known globally for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of music, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, education, and through his i.am Angel Foundation, will.i.am challenged graduates to embrace creativity, innovation, and service as they forge their own paths.
“How intentional are you going to be with this technology as you unearth tomorrow’s industries?” asked will.i.am “Pick a problem, solve it. That solution is an industry. This is the time for imagination, and AI is not imagining. It’s regurgitation of the human imagination. Turn that off.”
As part of the undergraduate ceremony, honorary doctoral degrees were bestowed on will.i.am and Paul Covec ’64, an entrepreneur and investor who has played a formative role in advancing technologies that have shaped modern industry.
This year’s undergraduate student remarks were delivered by Mena Youssif, who received a bachelor of science in civil engineering. In his speech, “We Didn’t See It Coming,” he reflected on the pace of change in the world and the unexpected growth and personal changes students experienced.
Graduate Commencement
At the graduate ceremony on Thursday, May 14, President Wang and Chair Fitzgerald celebrated the advanced scholarship and transformative potential of WPI’s master’s and doctoral graduates, encouraging them to apply their expertise to society’s most pressing challenges.
“I feel confident because you will enter this world as our graduates. You know how to define the challenge, interact with people, and lead,” said Wang. “Every time you are working on something, remember to be curious and to push boundaries, just like you did in our classrooms and research labs.”
Graduate Commencement speaker Lisa Barton ’87, president and CEO of Alliant Energy, returned to her alma mater as a distinguished industry leader whose career has helped shape the infrastructure powering modern life. An electrical engineering alumna, Barton has spent more than three decades transforming the energy sector; her career stands as a testament to the enduring value of a WPI education grounded in technical excellence and visionary leadership.
“In a world increasingly shaped by technological advancements, the differentiator will not be access to information. It will be the ability to think. That is why your WPI education matters,” said Barton. “You weren’t taught what to think, you were taught how to think, and never before has that distinction been more important. Powering the future and advancing technology at scale requires this skill set.”
Honorary doctoral degrees were 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 led Morgan Construction Company as president and chief executive officer.
The Graduate Commencement student speaker Anjali Nair, who received a master of science in information technology, delivered a speech titled “Coming Into Your Own,” during which she spoke of “finding confidence in uncertainty, purpose in reinvention, and growth in taking chances.”
Prior to the May ceremonies, honorary degrees were awarded to two philanthropic leaders and valued members of the WPI family, Patricia Messenger and Harold L. Jurist ’61.
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.
