Under an overcast sky, graduates filled the field as their supporters packed nearly every seat at Fenway Park April 29 to celebrate Northeastern’s Class of 2026 undergraduate commencement.
Honoring the university’s 124th graduating class, nearly 6,000 graduates congregated for speeches from university leaders and actor and singer-songwriter Hilary Duff, student performances and the highly-anticipated cap toss. The year marked Northeastern’s fifth commencement ceremony at Fenway Park. The Class of 2026’s acceptance rate of 6.7% broke the university record at the time, a dramatic drop from the Class of 2025’s 18% acceptance rate.
The event began with a performance of the National Anthem by graduating fifth-year Julianna Zannikos, who received her degree in health science.
To kick off the ceremony, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Beth Winkelstein, addressed the crowd, reminding the graduates to “take it all in” and look forward to what they will create in the future.
Four graduates from the Class of 2026 delivered speeches including Armaan Sarao, a media and screen studies and English combined major, Kayla Parlato, a mechanical engineering major, Amelia Brooks, a business administration major and Evan Kenny, a behavioral neuroscience major. Their speeches discussed the lessons their Northeastern experience taught them, including the importance of trying new things and the value of global experiences.
Northeastern Board of Trustees chair Richard D’Amore introduced President Joseph E. Aoun, remarking that it’s “always a good day to be at Fenway, but this day is extra special.” In his speech, Aoun highlighted the Class of 2026’s growth since their first days at Northeastern.
“We celebrate your readiness,” Aoun said. “Because you are graduating into a world that refuses to stay still. A world shaped by political turbulence. A world unsettled by global warming. A world being reimagined daily by artificial intelligence. This is not a moment of calm.”
Many graduates, who were sitting in chairs on the field, booed as Aoun spoke about artificial intelligence.
“Never get tired of what AI cannot do,” Aoun said. “It cannot imagine what does not already exist … remember that the future doesn’t belong to the most optimized, it belongs to the most original.”
Aoun emphasized that Northeastern students are prepared to navigate the ever-evolving post-graduate world due to the university’s push for experiential learning opportunities.
“These experiences are not an add-on to education. They are the foundation. Your wisdom is not that of a traditional university. It is a blending pot of experiences.” Aoun said of the co-op program.
Following Aoun’s speech, Brooks introduced Duff, famous for her portrayal of Lizzie McGuire, as the event’s commencement speaker. Met with a roaring applause while approaching the podium, Duff discussed the importance of being excited about the bright future ahead of them.
“Graduating, no matter what stage of life you’re in, isn’t about having everything figured out,” Duff said. “It’s about standing at the edge of something and choosing what comes next.”
She emphasized the importance of learning when to say “yes” or “no” to new opportunities.
“Choose what excites you. Choose what challenges you. Choose what gives you room to grow. And just as importantly, choose to let go of what no longer serves you. This will give you the freedom to evolve and become who you are meant to be,” Duff said.
Following Duff’s speech, the degrees for the Class of 2026 were conferred by the deans of the students’ respective colleges.
The finale, hosted by Sam Iannone, a rising fourth-year business administration major and the Mayor of Huntington Avenue, featured two of Northeastern’s acapella groups, The Nor’easters and Pitch, Please! in addition to performances from the Northeastern University Dance Company, Northeastern Pep Band and the Northeastern Cheer team.
To the Class of 2027, who will turn their tassels next spring, graduates encouraged their younger peers to take advantage of new opportunities.
“Take every opportunity that this school offers,” said Devin Patel, a computer science graduate.
Benjamin Carter, an economics and philosophy graduate, advised students to “live it up.”
Abigail Bedell, a behavioral neuroscience graduate, said students should stand strong in their decisions.
“Trust yourself and the decisions that you make. You are going to be ok, and you are going to love every version of yourselves,” Bedell said.
