Eastern to graduate 1,000 in 2 ceremonies on May 16
Special guests include Richard Blumenthal, Beth Regan '79, David and Marilyn Foster, and Harold Tavares
Willimantic, CT (05/07/2026) — More than 1,000 students from Eastern Connecticut State University will receive their diplomas during two commencement ceremonies on May 16 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. The daylong celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with more than 120 graduate students receiving master's degrees. The undergraduate ceremony begins at 4 p.m., with more than 900 undergraduate students receiving bachelor's degrees.
"Commencement is one of the most joyful and meaningful days of the year," said President Karim Ismaili. "I look forward to celebrating our graduate and undergraduate students at PeoplesBank Arena, shaking each of their hands as they cross the stage, and recognizing all they have accomplished."
"I couldn't be happier to join Eastern's graduates and their families for this momentous milestone," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who will greet students at the Saturday evening undergraduate ceremony. "Equipped with an Eastern education, these students have a bright future ahead of them, and I am so proud of all they have accomplished."
During the graduate ceremony, World Bank Executive Director Harold Tavares will deliver the keynote address and receive the second annual Distinguished Public Service Award. Also during the morning graduate ceremony, local philanthropists David and Marilyn Foster will each receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters, with David Foster closing the ceremony with a special performance of "You Are So Beautiful."
Later in the day, alumna and Mohegan Tribe executive Beth Regan '79 will be the undergraduate ceremony's speaker and honorary degree recipient.
Graduate ceremony highlights | 11 a.m.
- Processional
- Reading of "America The Beautiful" by Alexandra Lavelle '27
- Greetings from Theodore Yang, Board of Regents for Higher Education
- Graduate student address - Olivia Gardner '25, M'26
- Commencement address - Harold Tavares, Distinguished Public Service Award recipient
- Recognition of honorary degree recipients - David and Marilyn Foster
- Presentation of degree candidates - Cheryl Wilson, provost and vice president of academic affairs
- Hooding of graduate students
- Alumni welcome - James Woulfe '09, chair, Alumni Advisory Council
- Closing performance - "You Are So Beautiful" by David Foster
Undergraduate ceremony highlights | 4 p.m.
- Processional led by the Governor's Foot Guard Color Guard
- Performance of "America the Beautiful" by members of the Class of 2026
- Greetings by Senator Richard Blumenthal
- Greetings by Juanita James, vice chair, Board of Regents for Higher Education
- Senior class address and class gift - Taylor Thompson '26, senior class president
- Recognition of Distinguished Professor Award recipient - Dr. Xing Liu
- Commencement Address - Beth Regan '79, M'89, honorary degree recipient
- Congratulations to the graduates - President Karim Ismaili
- Graduate walk - School of Arts & Sciences
- Graduate walk - School of Education & Professional Studies
- Alumni welcome - James Woulfe '09, chair, Alumni Advisory Council
"Each graduate has grown through hard work, perseverance, and discovery," said Ismaili of the graduating Class of 2026. "Each leaves Eastern prepared to lead, to serve, and to make the world better. We are incredibly proud of them, and we cannot wait to see where their Eastern education takes them next."
For more information:
- Undergraduate commencement: www.easternct.edu/commencement2026/index.html
- Graduate commencement: www.easternct.edu/graduatedivision/graduate-commencement-pages/graduate-commencement-2026.html
###
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
Media Attachments
Soon-to-be Eastern graduates pose for a photo with Willi the Warrior.
Eastern Connecticut State University
Michael Rouleau, (860) 465-0172, rouleaum@easternct.edu; communications@easternct.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Muddy preschoolers will get messy this Friday at Eastern
- Eastern's 'Earth Day Market' returns with nearly 30 vendors
- Facility dog 'Goliath' joins Eastern police department
- Eastern launches novel simulation for social work and theatre students
- Eastern selected for national student success initiative
- Eastern to host graduate program info session on April 23
- Eastern's 'Earth Day Market' returns with nearly 30 vendors
- This Week: College student altruism on display in Windham with 2 events
- More Connecticut high schoolers taking college classes
- Eastern to host fitness challenge for future first responders