Emmanuel Celebrates the Class of 2026 with a Commencement Focused on Promise and Purpose

The Emmanuel community gathered with friends, family and the Class of 2026 to celebrate The College’s 104th commencement exercises on May 9th. 

Hosted for the first time at MGM Fenway, the ceremony highlighted the growth and accomplishments of the graduating class — and urged them to lead lives of purpose and impact. 

Speaking to members of the Class of 2026, President Beth Ross, EdD, acknowledged they are graduating at a unique moment, when myriad challenges have made the world feel fast, noisy and unsettled. Her message to the graduates: you are prepared to meet that moment and do it well. 

“What Emmanuel has given you is more than a credential,” said Dr. Ross. “It has given you a way of meeting the world in all its complexity. It has asked you to consider not only what you want to do, but what is worth doing, what is true, what is right, and what kind of person you hope to become.”

In a world filled with uncertainties, Dr. Ross advised graduates to focus on what they can control: their effort, their preparation, the quality of their work, and the way they treat people; the values they carry into the room. It’s what they practiced at Emmanuel, and it is  preparation with lasting value.   

“That is one of the enduring strengths of a liberal arts education, especially at Emmanuel,” said Dr. Ross. “It does not prepare you only for a first job or one narrow path. It prepares you for a life that will change. 

“You were not simply trained here,” she added. “You were formed here, by faculty and staff who challenged and supported you, by classmates who broadened your perspective, and by a community that insists that education is about the whole person: mind and heart, ambition and service, achievement and purpose.”

Change and growth were central themes in the comments of student speaker Juliana Mazuera ’26, who described Emmanuel as a transformative experience. A first-generation student, she listed many lessons along the way: the importance of persistence, of keeping the faith amid doubt, of recognizing that community is about support and growth.  

“Emmanuel calls us to live with purpose, service and virtue,” said Mazuera. “The world we are entering is complex and uncertain, but if these past four years have taught us anything, it is that we are capable of meeting that uncertainty with resilience, empathy and courage.”

Emmanuel College also conferred four honorary degrees at the 2026 Commencement ceremony:

Tenley Albright, M.D., Olympic Champion, Physician, Civic Leader  

A Newton native, Dr. Albright was the first woman from the United States to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating (1956). She was also a practicing surgeon in a time when women doctors were rare. More recently, she’s been an advocate for strengthening health care services. 

In addressing the graduates, Dr. Albright said they’re an inspiration. She also gave a tip about advice — saying she received a lot of it when she was younger. It was often contradictory, and her father gave her a good perspective on how to weight it. 

“If you did not ask for the advice, you are not obligated,” she said.  

For showing courage, excellence and service across multiple fields, Emmanuel College conferred to her an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Raymond Hakim, M.D., Physician and Scientist

Trained as an engineer and physician, Dr. Hakim is a healthcare innovator who advanced the treatment of kidney disease. Dr. Hakim has made lasting impacts at Emmanuel by establishing endowed research scholarships and the Catherine McLaughlin Hakim ’70 Lecture Series, the latter of which was in memory of his late wife. In accepting the degree, Dr. Hakim remembered her pride and enthusiasm for Emmanuel, something he shares.   

“Emmanuel College has always stood for more than just academic excellence,” said Dr. Hakim. “It has stood for ‘education for a just world.’ At a time when the world feels fragmented, the values instilled here — intellectual integrity, a commitment to service and the courage to lead — are essential tools that we need to navigate the complexities of our global society.”

For a career that improved lives, and for generosity rooted in love, memory and hope, Emmanuel College conferred to him an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Andrew Yosinoff, Women’s Basketball Coach

The seventh-winningest women’s basketball coach in NCAA history, Andrew Yosinoff was recognized for being impactful on and off the court. The basketball program he’s built has won conference titles and become a lasting source of pride for the Emmanuel community, but he was also recognized for mentoring generations of players — teaching them to support each other, never quit, and show grace amid victory or defeat. 

“People often ask me the secret to my success,” said Yosinoff. “It’s simple: I outwork everyone, treat people with respect, and I believe in something bigger than myself.

“To the graduates: life will bring both highs and lows,” he added. “Meet each moment with courage and confidence. Believe in who you are, give your best every day, and never forget to lift others along the way, especially those less fortunate than you.”

For his many contributions, Emmanuel conferred to Yosinoff an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. 

Sister Mary Johnson, SNDdeN ’79, Congregational Leader, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

An alumnae and longtime Emmanuel professor of Sociology and Theology, Sr. Mary Johnson, SNDdeN, now serves as Congregation Leader for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. In that capacity, she provides global leadership for the SNDdeN’s mission of making known God’s goodness by promoting education, peace and the common good. 

Sr. Mary Johnson called on the graduates to help meet the needs of world, especially by using their education to help bridge divisions. 

“Your generation brings a special gift to the world in that you are truly ‘glocals’, using technologies to transcend the line between local and global, and being astute to see the pitfalls along the way,” said Sr. Mary Johnson. “We need your insight and wisdom regarding the uses of technology to bring us toward a path of more light.”

In recognition of both her contributions to Emmanuel and as a global leader for education, social justice and spiritual growth, Emmanuel conferred to Sr. Mary Johnson an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.