NEWS: Commencement 2026: Lean on Us and Each Other

May 20, 2026

On Friday, May 15, more than 700 Olin family members, faculty, staff, trustees, students and guests gathered on campus for the College’s 21st Commencement Ceremony in celebration of the Class of 2026.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the class’s undergraduate years and the start of exciting futures in industry, academia, non-profit, entrepreneurship and beyond. Olin’s newest graduates join an alumni community 1,600-strong and bring their Olin experiences into a world where they will engineer with humanity and purpose, connect deeply within their communities, advocate for themselves and others and shape the future for the better.

The Mace Bearer

Chief Marshal Robert Martello, interim dean of faculty affairs and professor of the history of science & technology, led the academic procession into the Great Lawn tent and began the ceremony with a joyful welcome and somber moment of remembrance.

One Moment at a Time

In her first Olin Commencement address, President May Lee reflected on the many connections and moments that comprised her first year at the College. She encouraged the graduates, once they’re out in the world, to emphasize two very specific types of moments. “First, when you can, give a moment to another person,” she advised. “The second type of moment: give one or two to yourself.” Stay connected to Olin, she urged. “We are always here for you – just a text away – ready to help and bask in your achievements. One moment at a time.”

Brave, Not Perfect

Reshma Saujani, a leading activist, the founder of Girls Who Code, the founder and CEO of Moms First, the host of My So-Called Midlife with Lemonada Media, and a New York Times bestselling author, delivered the ceremony’s featured remarks.

Saujani urged the graduates to be brave instead of perfect. “Build your bravery muscle” even when it’s scary and uncertain. “Small braveries compound. The engineer who flags the bias in the training data. The team lead who says we need more time to get this right. The junior developer who escalates a concern and refuses to let it disappear into the next sprint. Those are the small acts of bravery that change what gets built. Those are the acts that change what the world runs on.”

Mindset Muscle

Jeannie Diefenderfer, chair of the Olin Board of Trustees, welcomed the graduates and their families, the trustees, and special guests Bill Norden, founding member, and Rick Miller, president emeritus. She encouraged the Class of 2026 to use the “mindset muscle that defines an Olin education: curiosity, collaboration and the confidence to create what doesn’t yet exist. You are prepared not only to navigate the world as it is, but to shape the world as it might become.” 

Be Somebody

Mikell Taylor ’06 greeted the Class of 2026 on behalf of the alumni community and welcomed them to the alumni network. She shared words of wisdom often repeated by her own grandfather: “be somebody.”

“Take what you have learned from Olin’s honor code, from your classmates, and from the faculty who have challenged you to think about your work and its place in the world,” said Taylor. “Stay connected to this community and to the people who know who you are today who will help keep you honest as you decide who you will become.”

Never Stop Sampling 

Pauline Petersen ’26 was nominated by her classmates to deliver remarks on behalf of the graduates. She shared a humorous analogy of the Olin experience as a shopping trip to Costco.  

“To discover new flavors, my advice to you all is to never stop sampling. Keep trying everything. Sure, you might spit a few things out, but it is through discomfort that you find the magic hidden within,” she noted. 

Improve Your Model 

Victoria Preston ’16, assistant Professor of Engineering, was nominated by the Class of 2026 to give remarks on behalf of Olin’s faculty and staff. As an alum, Preston also had the honor of being the student speaker at her own Olin graduation. “I could not be more thrilled to share major reunion years with you going into the future!” she told the class. 

“Navigating the world requires building a model of yourself and your own positionality within it,” noted the field roboticist. “As we know, all models are wrong, but some are useful when carefully crafted and cared for. To improve your model, you will need to gather information – try new things, be weird, talk to new people, take measured risks. Experiment with your story, gather feedback, and be open to change. And as you build your model, act on what you learn. Engage with your local community, volunteer in organizations you care about, organize in your workplace, and invest in people in your life. Where there is a need for someone to do something, be the one that shows up.”

15 Words 

The degree conferral was aided by Sam Michalka, Interim Dean of Academic Programs & Associate Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Engineering, Travis DiJoseph, Registrar, and Zoie Leo ’24. Leo served as this year’s commencement announcer, with the unique job of reading—and sometime singing—the graduates’ 15-words during the ceremony.

The tradition of the 15-words dates to Olin’s very first Commencement in 2006 and was incorporated into the ceremony to provide graduates with an opportunity for personal expression. Each year an alum from a recent class takes on this special role.