Eastern announces 2026 commencement speakers and distinguished awardees

4 impactful friends and alumni among this year's honorees

by Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (04/01/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University has announced the commencement speakers, honorary degree recipients, and Distinguished Public Service Award recipient for its annual commencement exercises on May 16 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. This year's undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will honor four individuals with deep ties to the University and extensive records of leadership and community service.

During the graduate ceremony, World Bank Executive Director Harold Tavares will deliver the keynote address and receive the second annual Distinguished Public Service Award, whereas local philanthropists David and Marilyn Foster will each receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Later in the day, alumna and Mohegan Tribe executive Beth Regan '79 will be the undergraduate ceremony's speaker and honorary degree recipient.

Harold Tavares

During the graduate-level ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., Harold Tavares will receive the University's second annual Distinguished Public Service Award and deliver the keynote speech.

"Harold Tavares's career reflects a remarkable blend of international leadership and a steadfast commitment to sound socioeconomic development," said Eastern President Karim Ismaili. "From his early days at Eastern to his current role at the World Bank, he has remained deeply focused on expanding opportunity and strengthening communities around the world. His achievements stand as a powerful example to our graduates of how an Eastern foundation can lead to meaningful impact on a global scale."

A native of Cabo Verde, Tavares brings extensive experience in economic development, multilateral cooperation, and international diplomacy. As executive director of World Bank's Africa Group II, he represents multiple countries and advances initiatives focused on socioeconomic growth and human capital development. Prior to this role, he served as alternate executive director and as chief of staff to the prime minister of Cabo Verde, advising on a wide range of national and global issues.

A longtime resident of both the United States and Cabo Verde, Tavares has worked to strengthen ties between the two countries while elevating awareness of opportunities and challenges across the African continent. His global experience spans six continents and includes leadership roles in international initiatives such as Expo Dubai and the Ocean Race (Cabo Verde), as well as earlier work in American higher education, where he helped build international partnerships and supported programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Tavares began his academic journey at Eastern, where he took courses that helped shape his path, before going on to earn graduate degrees in financial economics from Boston University and public administration from Bridgewater State University. He remains a strong advocate for youth development, founding the CV Next program to expand global opportunities for Cabo Verdean students, and was recognized in 2020 by Most Influential People of African Descent as a top achiever under 40.

"Higher education opened up a world of opportunity for me, and I've devoted my career to trying to do the same for others," said Tavares. "Receiving the Distinguished Public Service Award is both a heartfelt and deeply personal honor. My educational journey began at Eastern, and the University played such an important role in helping me to become the person I knew I could be."

David and Marilyn Foster

Also during the graduate ceremony, philanthropists David and Marilyn Foster will each be honored for their longstanding friendship and support of Eastern with honorary doctorates of humane letters.

"David and Marilyn Foster have exemplified a lifelong commitment to public service, community betterment, and the values at the heart of Eastern's mission," said President Karim Ismaili. "Their philanthropic efforts and volunteer leadership have touched virtually every facet of life in the Town of Windham and the broader region."

Through the family-led Lester E. Foster and Phyllis M. Foster Foundation, of which Marilyn is the director, they have supported and served organizations including Windham Hospital, Windham High School, the Salvation Army of Willimantic, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Project HOPE, WAIM, Horizons, the Lions Club, and Veteran's Memorial Park.

Their generosity for Eastern includes a $250,000 gift to Eastern's David G. Carter Jr. Endowment Fund - in memory of Eastern's fifth president - and more than $125,000 of support for other Eastern scholarships and programs.

David Foster's impact in eastern Connecticut also spans an iconic era in music. As co-owner of the legendary Shaboo Inn, he brought thousands of concerts to the region from 1971 to 1982, including future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers such as B.B. King, The Police, Muddy Waters, and Tom Petty. Later, he formed the Shaboo All-Stars, the house band at Mohegan Sun, and continues to use his love of music to support the greater good, including sponsoring multiple benefit concerts on Eastern's campus. In a fitting tribute to his musical legacy, he will perform a song during the graduate commencement ceremony.

"Eastern and the Fosters have been very close for generations," said David, whose family name graces the University's iconic Foster Clock Tower. "We love this university, it's our home. We've watched it grow and educate so many young people and do so much good for so many people. Of all the awards that I've gotten, this is by far the one that means the most to me."

"We've learned and grown alongside this university," said Marilyn, whose mother and sister both trained to become teachers on Eastern's campus. "It's been a journey, one that [David and I] have always respected. Eastern has been so instrumental in helping so many people throughout the Windham area. To receive a doctorate of human letters is really a pinnacle."

Beth Regan '79

During the undergraduate ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m., alumna Beth Regan '79 will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters for her distinguished career as an educator, women's athletics advocate, community leader, and member of the Mohegan Tribe.

"Beth Regan's life and work embody the highest ideals of service, leadership, and community building," said Ismaili. "Her deep roots in education, athletics, Native American advocacy, and public engagement make her an exemplary choice to address our graduates as commencement speaker and receive an honorary doctorate."

Regan has served as a member and justice of the Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders since 2014 and as its chairwoman since 2024. She taught at Tolland High School for more than 35 years, focusing on Native American studies and Russian history. She has developed free curricula on Mohegan history for Connecticut educators, led workshops, and helped build partnerships between the tribal and broader communities, including consulting on Eastern's official indigenous land acknowledgment in 2025.

As an Eastern student, Regan was a multi-sport athlete during a formative period for women's collegiate athletics, following the passage of Title IX. She founded Eastern's women's soccer program and coached soccer and basketball while volunteering with the Special Olympics for more than 30 years.

Regan has received multiple Teacher and Coach of the Year awards and has been inducted into several athletic halls of fame. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern and continues her service through the Mohegan Tribe's Language Committee, supporting preservation of the Mohegan language.

"My time here as a student and basketball player shaped my education and helped guide my path in life, which is why I am so deeply honored to return as this year's commencement speaker," said Regan. "The relationships and support I found on campus continue to influence my work today as an advocate for strengthening connections between communities. The values I found here at the University reflect those of the Mohegan Tribe, namely a shared commitment to community, resilience, and respect. I look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 and all that lies ahead for them!"

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