{"id":5556,"date":"2026-05-19T13:54:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T17:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/?p=5556"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:54:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T17:54:44","slug":"commencement-celebrates-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/commencement-celebrates-courage\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Courage, Resilience, and Purpose at 116th Commencement Ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, May 2, the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater filled with applause, proud families and loved ones, graduates in their caps and gowns, and unmistakable energy as University of Bridgeport (UB) celebrated its 116th<\/sup> Commencement ceremonies. It was a day shaped by joy and reflection, by stories of perseverance and purpose, and by the powerful reminder that courage often begins with the simple decision to keep showing up.<\/p>\n

Across two ceremonies, UB conferred 1,500 degrees, including 400 undergraduate degrees and 1,100 graduate degrees. The ceremonies also recognized graduates who completed their programs and had their degrees conferred in August and December 2025.<\/p>\n

The day\u2019s message was one of courage, compassion, and responsibility, calling on graduates to step into an uncertain world with purpose and humanity. Both ceremonies opened with a processional followed by a special arrangement of the National Anthem performed by the UB Choir Ensemble. Distinguished guests shared inspiring words throughout the day, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut State Sen. and UB\u2019s Vice President for External Affairs Herron Gaston, and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim.<\/p>\n

UB President Danielle Wilken, Ed.D., addressed the undergraduates by acknowledging the full range of emotions graduates and families brought into the day: excitement, pride, relief, fear, uncertainty, and hope. Wilken reflected on the complexity of milestone moments such as commencement and the resilience of a class shaped by disruption, uncertainty, and change.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps no class understands uncertainty better than the class of 2026,\u201d Wilken said. \u201cYou adapted. You persevered. You continued forward when forward did not feel easy. That matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilken encouraged graduates to see hope not as naivety, but as a powerful choice.<\/h2>\n

\u201cHope is the decision to believe that difficult circumstances can still produce extraordinary outcomes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The ceremonies also recognized the communities of support surrounding each graduate, including parents, children, spouses and partners, extended family, friends, faculty, staff, and members of the class of 1976, UB\u2019s Golden Knights, who returned to celebrate 50 years since their own graduation.<\/p>\n

During the undergraduate ceremony, UB awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters posthumously to Carolyn Vermont, a respected civic leader remembered for her enduring commitment to Bridgeport and Fairfield County. Vermont served as chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County and president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP; she was a trusted community advocate whose work advanced housing access, youth development, violence prevention, equity, and opportunity. Her sister Jennifer Vermont-Davis accepted the honorary degree on her behalf.<\/p>\n

UB also awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa<\/em>, to humanitarian, author, and commencement speaker Carl Wilkens. Wilkens is internationally recognized as the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, where he helped protect and support vulnerable children and families.<\/p>\n

In her remarks, President Wilken pointed to Wilkens\u2019 life and work as an example of moral courage. Referencing the title of his book, \u201cI\u2019m Not Leaving,\u201d she reminded graduates that difficult moments call for people willing to remain engaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world is asking for your humanity,\u201d Wilken said. \u201cIt\u2019s asking for leaders who listen. People who build instead of divide. People who choose compassion over cynicism. People willing to stay engaged when others walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carl Wilkens delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies, sharing deeply personal stories from his time in Rwanda and reflecting on the ordinary acts of kindness and courage that helped save lives during one of history\u2019s darkest moments.<\/p>\n

He asked graduates to consider the power of seeing the humanity in others, even in the face of harm, division, and pain.<\/h3>\n
\"Man
Carl Wilkens gives his commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony on May 2, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe build trust, we build healing with the message that my world is better because you\u2019re in it,\u201d Wilkens said, connecting his message to UB\u2019s spirit of belonging. \u201cNo problem will be solved by excluding anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The undergraduate student speaker, Ananda Lailah Lindsey, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a minor in Pre-Medicine, delivered a moving and spirited address that honored both the triumphs and struggles of the college experience. Lindsey reflected on changing her academic path, grieving the loss of her great-grandmother, and rebuilding herself through uncertainty.<\/p>\n

\u201cCollege is not just about the highs,\u201d Lindsey told her classmates. \u201cFor every accomplishment, there was exhaustion. For every leadership title, there were tears. For every \u2018you\u2019re doing amazing,\u2019 there was a quiet moment of \u2018I don\u2019t know if I can keep doing this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsey reminded the class of 2026 that becoming an alum is not about perfection, but about resilience, growth, and becoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t just survive college,\u201d she said. \u201cWe evolved through it.\u201d<\/h3>\n
\"Women
Ananda Lailah Lindsey giving her commencement speech on May 2, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The graduate ceremony continued the day\u2019s focus on professional responsibility and service. President Wilken spoke directly to master\u2019s and doctoral graduates about the impact they will have as healthcare providers, educators, engineers, business leaders, counselors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and public servants.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world does not simply need more experts,\u201d Wilken said. \u201cIt needs principled professionals. It needs people who combine knowledge with integrity.\u201d She encouraged graduates to lead with humility, integrity, curiosity, and service, reminding them that true leadership is measured not by title or accomplishments, but by trust, impact, and the willingness to remain present when others need them most.<\/p>\n

Graduate student speaker Sebastian Alix-Trabucco, who earned his master\u2019s in Business Administration (MBA)<\/a>, delivered an address centered on lifelong learning, adaptability, and the courage to bet on oneself.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday is more than a ceremony,\u201d Alix-Trabucco said. \u201cIt\u2019s a moment of proof, that we showed up, we held on, and we dared to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alix-Trabucco reflected on the diverse experiences of his fellow graduates, including first-generation students, working adults, parents, and those balancing school with careers, families, and personal responsibilities. He described education not only as a credential, but as a force that unlocks potential and prepares graduates to navigate complexity and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future doesn\u2019t belong to specialists who stay in silos,\u201d he said. \u201cIt belongs to bridge builders.\u201d<\/h3>\n
\"Man
Sebastian Alix-Trabucco giving his commencement address on May 2, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the ceremonies reached their culmination, Interim Provost Kierstyn Hunter, Ph.D., presented the degree candidates from UB\u2019s colleges. President Wilken formally conferred the degrees, welcoming the class of 2026 into the alumni community. Graduates moved their tassels from right to left, marking the completion of one chapter and the beginning of the next.<\/p>\n

Together, the day\u2019s speakers offered a clear message to UB\u2019s newest graduates: the world needs their courage, compassion, adaptability, and willingness to show up. As the class of 2026 stepped forward as UB alumni, they carried with them a charge to lead with hope, serve with humility, and build a future rooted in humanity.<\/p>\n

For more information about University of Bridgeport\u2019s commencement ceremonies and to view full video recordings of the events, visit bridgeport.edu\/commencement<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, May 2, the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater filled with applause, proud families and loved ones, graduates in their caps and gowns, and unmistakable energy as University of Bridgeport (UB) celebrated its 116th Commencement ceremonies. 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