The 2026 Celebration of Excellence: Resilience, Joy, and Hope for the Future
By Samuel Cavalheiro
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On Saturday, May 9, students and families gathered at the Mullins Center for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence. It was an afternoon full of joy, revelry, and a shared spirit of achievement for Honors graduates. Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) celebrated 706 graduates, representing 77 majors, and hailing from 21 states and 8 different nations. These students have navigated their academic journeys through significant global changes and a period of vast transformation. The Celebration of Excellence serves as both a testament to and collective recognition of the resilience and ambition of the Class of 2026.
The program began with a warm welcome from Dean Mari Castañeda following the land acknowledgment. Dean Castañeda addressed the graduating class and lauded their achievements and advocacy. She expressed her gratitude and praised the community formed at the college.
“You have engaged in critical thinking, you have engaged in advanced research and creative practices, you have assumed leadership positions, you have volunteered in communities, you have advocated for a better tomorrow... and now you are well-positioned to positively impact our world with a heart and mind that is oriented towards a culture of care,” she said.
Castañeda emphasized that this incredible milestone could not have been achieved in isolation, leading a round of applause for the families and support systems attending in person or watching through the livestream. She also expressed her gratitude for the dining and catering employees, stating, "You've shown remarkable dedication during an exceptionally difficult time, and your commitment to our campus community means everything to us."
After welcoming distinguished guests who have supported the College in many facets, Dean Castañeda invited UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes to the podium. Chancellor Reyes delivered a message centered on individual resolve in the face of systemic uncertainty. He observed that the Class of 2026 faced unique struggles, both on an individual and global scale. Yet, in the face of these struggles, he celebrated the incredible achievements of Honors students, including the diverse body of research produced by the class.
Chancellor Reyes noted that Honors students researched everything from artificial intelligence to kidney donations, juror bias, and even black-capped chickadees.
“Your intellectual curiosity and commitment to academic excellence are inspiring and speak to the heart of who we are as a top public research university,” he said.
The Chancellor recognized that technology and geopolitical realities are constantly evolving—a truth that can feel daunting to any student. However, he challenged graduates with a pivotal and relevant question: "Do you choose to let change define your reality, or do you choose to be part of the change and help shape what comes next?".
Chancellor Reyes offered advice for students reflecting upon his words, emphasizing the power and ability inherent in all students, stating “change does not have to be something that happens to you—it can be something that happens because of you”.
Following Chancellor Reyes’s remarks, Dean Castañeda invited Provost Fouad Abd-El-Khalick to the podium. Provost Abd-El-Khalick offered a unique perspective on the day’s celebrations. Mirroring the monumental effort Honors students put into their studies, the Provost explained that he did a little “homework” himself prior to the ceremony.
Provost Abd-El-Khalick offered a unique perspective, explaining that 'congratulations' means 'I admire your achievement and I share in your joy.' He encouraged students to share this joy with the wider world, reflecting on the College's mission to develop students as leaders in their communities.
He encouraged students to share this joy and achievement with the wider world, just as they were being uplifted that day. Reflecting on the broader mission of Commonwealth Honors College, the Provost noted, “It is our mission to ‘provide academically accomplished students’—you—‘with opportunities to develop multifaceted and collaborative approaches to lifelong learning, problem solving, and leadership development so that [you] may influence [your] communities in profound and meaningful ways'”.
Following the conclusion of the Provost’s speech, Dean Castañeda introduced Kya Ransom, a graduating Honors student majoring in psychology, student success assistant, first-generation college student, and student parent. Her speech redefined the concept of excellence. She argued that excellence was not just endurance through struggle, but how we choose to care for and show up for others.
“Excellence isn't about how much we can carry, but what we intentionally choose to carry forward,” she said.
She praised the college for showing her that choosing to care for oneself, for others, and for the future we build is an essential part of life. Excellence is not just the result on paper, she argued, but is grounded in “sustainability, humanity, and respect”.
Dean Castañeda thanked Ransom for her inspiring words and began the individual recognition of graduates. As gold stoles were placed on graduates, Dean Castañeda explained that “the stole signifies the dedication, intellectual curiosity, and deep resilience you generated to reach this point”.
As graduates filled the space between the stage and the seats, a shared sense of joy permeated the Mullins Center. Students were called one by one to the stage, and emotions ran high. Families and friends cheered for their students as the Celebration of Excellence served as a bookend to this chapter of their lives.
In her closing remarks, Dean Castañeda reminded graduates that they have contributed significantly to this university, and the event concluded with a final round of applause for the Class of 2026.
A replay of the livestream can be found online and photos taken by CHC photographers are available online as well.
Featuring
Jack Bertling
Samuel Cavalheiro
Grace Chai
