Eastern graduates 900 at 136th commencement

Messages of hope and resilience propel the Class of 2026

by Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (05/16/2026) — More than 900 undergraduate students from Eastern Connecticut State University received their diplomas on May 16 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford during the University's 136th Commencement Exercises. Degrees were conferred from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Professional Studies, recognizing a diverse graduating class whose accomplishments reflect Eastern's mission as Connecticut's only public liberal arts university.

The Class of 2026 hails from nearly all of Connecticut's 169 towns, 24 U.S. states, and 28 foreign countries. The graduates range in age from 19 to 81, with 28% being the first in their families to graduate from college and 11% being NCAA Division III student athletes. Women make up 60% of the class, and approximately 30% of students identify as people of color.

Popular areas of study among the class include business administration, psychology, English, health sciences, and art. Other top majors include sociology, criminology, computer science, communication, and finance.

Speaker Regan: "Truth and hope"

Eastern alumna Beth Regan '79 was this year's honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker. Regan's distinguished career includes four decades as an educator, coach, community leader, and member of the Mohegan Tribe. A lifelong advocate for Native American rights, Regan has served as a justice of the Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders since 2014 and as its chairwoman since 2024.

"Eastern is very near and dear to my heart," she told the graduates of their shared alma mater. "In many ways, Eastern helped save me."

Regan recalled entering Eastern as a poor, 18-year-old from a broken home with her twin sister Kathy. She quickly found her way through student athletics and academic programs in education and history/social sciences - all pursuits that helped lay the foundation of her career.

While the new graduates may feel anxious to begin their careers, Regan urged them to be flexible. "The universe may have other plans," she said. "When those moments are presented to you, embrace them. If you allow yourself that flexibility, you may experience the best adventure you never could have imagined."

Regan also told the graduates to reconsider their view on failure, instead to see it as a "temporary setback."

"Although it can be a hard pill to swallow ... it is often the things that go wrong that lead to matters going right."

In a world that can sometimes feel deceptive and lost, Regan urged the graduates to be kind and to live with truth and hope. Rather than in the knowledge gained through their studies, she said, "The truth is in the days that you offer hope to others and yourself - hope that reminds us that all things are possible."

President Ismaili urges graduates to lead with courage and integrity

President Karim Ismaili offered his congratulations to the Class of 2026. "What you have accomplished is no small thing," he told the graduates. "You have navigated deadlines and exams, long nights and early mornings, work, family responsibilities, leadership roles, internships, athletics, and all the unexpected realities of life."

He reminded the graduates that they are leaving Eastern as different people than when they arrived - a version more confident, self-aware, and prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the world.

Ismaili left the graduates with several hopes: To remain lifelong learners. To live with courage. To be active participants in democracy. To lead through service and integrity. And to remain connected to Eastern.

"You are leaving this ceremony as graduates, but you are not leaving this community. Eastern will always be part of your story."

Senior class address: "Home is where the heart is"

In the address to her graduating peers, Senior Class President Taylor Thompson '26 reflected on her upbringing in a military family, which resulted in her living in many different places.

Rather than a physical dwelling, she has come to realize that "home is where the heart is something rooted in family and friends."

"Over the years, without me realizing it, Eastern has become that kind of home," she said. "A place where we thrived, where we grew, and where we began to understand who we are and who we're becoming."

Thompson expressed much gratitude for the people and spaces on campus who helped foster that sense of home, from impactful relationships with professors, coaches, and RAs, to unforgettable memories in the Center for Community Engagement, Student Center, and Hurley Hall.

"Our achievements were built on the support of an entire community. Because of that (community), Eastern became more than just a place we attended, it became a place we belonged."

Senator and Board of Regents offer congratulations

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal was among this year's special guests.

In acknowledging the challenging world the graduates are now entering, he said, "We live in difficult, sometimes dark and dauting, times. ... We have been through tough times before. We are a resolute and resilient nation, and it is you whose service and dedication will help get us through."

Blumenthal spoke to the diversity of the Class of 2026, and to the thousands of loved ones cheering them on in the stands. "Among you are some who come from other countries ... stay here," he said. "We need you. We are a nation of immigrants. This is what America looks like."

The U.S. senator closed his remarks by referencing Mark Twain, who once said, "The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why. ... Today is a (momentous step) toward answering that question."

"Congratulations," he told the graduates. "You did it!"

Juanita James, vice chair of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, spoke on behalf of the governing body of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).

"Whether your next chapter includes graduate school, public service, launching a career, or pursuing another passion, Eastern has provided you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact you will make on the state of Connecticut and beyond."

Welcome to the alumni

Eastern alumnus James Woulfe '09 welcomed the graduates to the University's alumni family. Woulfe had taken this very podium 17 years ago during his own commencement ceremony, when he delivered the senior class address. He now works as the chief of staff for the mayor of the City of Harford, Arunan Arulampalam.

Woulfe left the graduates with a message of resilience, a theme he drew on in his senior class address almost two decades ago:

"In your life, and in your career, you will find strength not through your accomplishments but through the adversity you face. The moments that shape you most are often the difficult ones. The moments where you have to adapt, to weather the storm, to pick yourself up after you've fallen down."

He reminded the graduates that they are not alone on this journey. "Tonight, you become a part of the Eastern alumni family. Stay connected. Lean on one another, and lean on us."

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