More than 900 graduates of Arcadia University’s Class of 2026 earned degrees during the master’s and doctoral Commencement ceremony on May 14 and the baccalaureate Commencement ceremony on May 15. Both ceremonies were held on Haber Green.

Dressed in regalia, students processed down the Walk of Pride from Grey Towers Castle before finding their seats on the Green. To set a celebratory tone, the Positive Movement Entertainment drumline led the march down to the ceremony stage on Friday.

Kailyn Houston-Young ’26, a Psychology major with a minor in Studio Art, introduced Arcadia University President Ajay Nair, noting his dedication to Arcadia’s students.

“I rarely see President Nair without a smile, but I know that behind that smile, he’s doing the hard work of keeping students at the center of everything that Arcadia does,” said Houston-Young.

For the eighth year in a row, President Nair framed his Commencement addresses around music selected by students from the graduating class. This year, however, it was not limited to one artist or genre, but included a variety of student-curated tracks. His remarks centered on “plot twists,” tying in songs from artists including Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and J. Cole.

“Some of you are heading to graduate school. Some of you have jobs lined up. Some of you are still figuring it out. All of those paths are valid. All of them matter. All of them are part of your story,” Nair said. “Because here’s the truth about plot twists: you might not fully understand them in the moment. It’s only later that you realize that change in direction, that unexpected challenge, that was the turning point. But now, you know something most people don’t: a plot twist is not the end of the story. It’s where the story becomes meaningful.”

The Honorable Jackie Speier, a former U.S. Representative for California’s 14th Congressional District and current member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in California, addressed the Master’s and Doctoral Class of 2026 after being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

“Time is precious,” Speier said, after recounting her history of being shot five times during the infamous Jonestown massacre in 1978. “Don’t waste it on meaningless jobs, on people who don’t lift you up, on activities that don’t give you joy. Embrace your next chapter with zeal. Immerse yourself in life and give it your all.”

Kathleen Titus Faul ’68, a Philadelphia-area artist who lost her sight following a car accident while a student at Beaver College, addressed the undergraduate Class of 2026 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts. Her Seeing Eye dog, Innes, earned an Honorary Doctor of Service.

“Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and if you stumble, you’ll still be one step further ahead,” Faul said. “I leave you with my love and wish you peace and serenity and success.”

Nelly Tyncherova ’26 was selected as the student Commencement speaker. In her speech, she recognized her parents, who obtained visas to travel from the Kyrgyz Republic to attend, before encouraging her peers to overcome the fear of taking the next step.

“As I look out at all of you, it’s clear to me that the path we once thought was scary led us to exactly where we’re meant to be. Together,” she said. “And trust that, just like we did here, you’ll figure it out, you’ll find your people, and without even realizing it, you’ll build another home.

Because we didn’t just find our place in the world, we learned how to create one.”

In remembrance of the late Kathy Trainor ’08EdD, a School of Education faculty member for over four decades, Taylor Migliore ’26 offered a special moment of thanks.

“As future educators, she showed us what it truly means to care for others, not just by telling us, but by leading by example every single day,” Migliore said. “Kathy didn’t just teach us what to think; she taught us how to grow. And as we move forward, I hope we can all carry that lesson with us: that failure isn’t the end of the story, it’s where the growth begins.”

Arcadia University recognized outstanding faculty and students with University awards: