‘Pursue your path with wholehearted passion,’ Trinity College Commencement Speaker Tells Class of 2026

“Passion is a force that can transform obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into fuel for growth,” N. Louis “Lou” Shipley ’85—a Trinity trustee, multi-time tech CEO, and senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School—told the Trinity College Class of 2026 during his Commencement address on Sunday, May 17.

Addressing a crowd of thousands assembled for Trinity’s 200th Commencement on the Main Quad, Shipley urged students to combine their liberal arts degrees with an entrepreneurial mindset. “The resilience and intellectual agility cultivated in a liberal arts education lays the foundation for entrepreneurialism,” he said. “Your degree will help you navigate changes, learn new roles, and reinvent yourself throughout your career.”

A total of 549 Trinity students were honored as they officially earned their degrees. The members of the Class of 2026 represent 30 states and 46 countries including the United States. Among the undergraduates, 317 received bachelor of arts degrees and 221 were awarded bachelor of science degrees. Eleven graduate students received master’s degrees.

Trinity bestowed an honorary doctor of humane letters degree on Shipley, in recognition of his distinguished career, exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, and unyielding dedication to the College.

Trinity also awarded an honorary doctor of science degree to Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Trinity College president, emerita, who served from 2014–25 as Trinity’s 22nd president and is an accomplished neuroscientist and author of more than 60 scientific publications.

Carolyn A. “Carrie” Pelzel ’74 received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in recognition of her career in higher education advancement and her contributions to the College in a variety of roles. After serving in leadership roles at Dartmouth College and Harvard University, Pelzel returned to Trinity to shepherd the All In campaign after then-Vice President for Advancement Michael Casey tragically passed away in 2023.

Members of the Class of 2026 also heard from Trevor Francis McDonald ’26, who spoke about gratitude in the face of obstacles. “It would truly be a mistake to only be grateful only for success because setbacks carry lessons. You learn far more about yourself in moments of struggle than in moments of comfort,” he said. “True growth often happens when things are hard.

This Commencement marked President Daniel G. Lugo’s first at Trinity, and he reflected on the College’s extraordinary tradition that has endured for 200 years. “This College has lived through wars, depressions, social movements, scientific revolutions, pandemics, political upheaval, and the constant reinvention of Hartford and the nation around it,” he said.

“The graduates who came before you did not leave Trinity with all the answers, and neither will you. But they left with habits of mind and heart that helped them keep learning, keep adapting, keep building, and keep serving.”

Lugo also told the class of 2026 that they helped him understand the meaning of the College as a living community. “In my first year as president, I have come to understand that Trinity’s tradition matters most when it becomes fuel for our future,” he said. “The point of honoring 200 Commencements is not to look backwards with satisfaction. It is to ask what the next 200 will require of us.” He left the students with a charge—“Carry the tradition. Build what is missing. And bring others with you.”

Nine members of the Trinity College women’s lacrosse team received their degrees at the beginning of the ceremony to accommodate their NCAA DIII Quarterfinal matchup against Wesleyan University on the same day at 2:00 p.m.

As the degrees were conferred, the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2026 were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Ki Tae Hwang, of South Korea, who earned a B.S., summa cum laude, with honors in mathematics and computer science, was named valedictorian; Marie Naka, of Maryland, who earned a B.A., summa cum laude, with honors in educational studies, was named salutatorian.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board Chair Lisa G. Bisaccia ’78 presented the awards for faculty, staff, and student excellence. The Trustee Award for Faculty Excellence went to Gail H. Woldu, Charles A. Dana Professor of Music. The Trustee Award for Staff Excellence went to Maria Dyane ’17, M’19, interim director of the Career and Life Design Center, and Kimberly F. Eckart, associate director of Strategic Projects and ERP Project Manager. The Trustee Award for Student Excellence went to Class of 2026 graduates Zaynab Hameed Khan and Alexandra Torres Pons.

Provost and Dean of Faculty and Scott M. Johnson ’97 Distinguished Professor of Political Science Sonia Cardenas announced honors for several members of the faculty for their dedication to the academic life of Trinity. The Thomas Church Brownell Prize for Teaching Excellence for 2026 went to Reo Matsuzaki, associate professor of political science, and Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre, professor of history. The Dean Arthur H. Hughes Award for Achievement in Teaching for 2026 went to Carmen De Schryver, assistant professor of philosophy, and Nhat-Dang Do, assistant professor of political science.

Following the awarding of degrees, Trinity College Alumni Association President Scott A. Lessne ’80 welcomed the graduates into the company of Trinity alumni, numbering more than 30,000 around the world. The celebrations began as the new Trinity graduates tossed their mortar boards in the air.

Commencement links:

Commencement Program
Commencement Speeches
Honorary Degree Recipients
Awards and Distinctions
Photo Gallery