At UMass Boston Commencement, Sen. Markey Praises Graduates as Embodiment of America’s Future
University confers degrees to 2,740 undergraduates at harborside ceremony
Telling graduates they are entering a world shaped by rapid innovation and unprecedented technological advancement, Senator Edward Markey urged UMass Boston’s Class of 2026 to “be bold” and use their talents to advance justice, equality, and opportunity around the world.
“In this era of innovation, you may have jobs that have not yet been imagined in fields that have yet to be created within industries that don’t yet exist,” he said. “Be bold. You can shape the course of history… Use your talents and your innovative tools to help all people everywhere build a more peaceful, prosperous future for them and for their families.”
As the university celebrated its 58th undergraduate commencement Thursday morning, Markey looked out on a sea of students and their families on the Campus Center Lawn and remarked that the scene resembled “the United Nations in session.”
“This is what the United States of America must celebrate. Because you are our future. Diversity is our future,” he said. “You are what represents the 21st century for the United States of America. Your diversity. Your energy. Your vision.”
UMass Boston graduates hail from 117 countries around the world and 48 states and speak more than 70 different languages. Nearly 60 percent of UMass Boston students are first-generation college students. It is the most diverse public university in New England and the third most diverse university in the country.
Watch UMass Boston's 2026 commencement ceremony.
The senator also emphasized the importance of protecting immigrants and creating pathways to citizenship, arguing that the pursuit of the American dream is reflected in the experiences of many UMass Boston students and families.
This year, UMass Boston conferred an estimated 3,950 degrees (2,740 undergraduate; 1,090 master’s; and 122 doctoral). The university held two commencement ceremonies over two days— with a graduate ceremony taking place on Wednesday, May 27. The university also hosted a doctoral hooding ceremony that morning.
Chancellor Suárez-Orozco: “Go Out Into the World, Fiercely, Boldly.”
Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco urged graduates to use their education to confront some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including threats to democracy, climate change, and the overpromising of AI without fully understanding its threats.
“Tomorrow, life after UMass Boston begins. The career paths you see for yourselves are out there, waiting to be traversed. The problems you hope to solve are out there, waiting for your insights. The ideals you want to fight for are out there, waiting for your passion,” he said.
He spoke of how everything graduates experienced at UMass Boston – the lively classroom discussions, the beautiful friendships, the moments of rebellion, stepping out of comfort zones – all of it has prepared them for tomorrow.
“Your ‘now’ has arrived. It is your time and there is much to do. Go fix what needs fixing. Share your wisdom with your communities and the world,” he said.
Student Speaker Tells Classmates to Remember Their “Why”
Madeeha Syeda, recipient of the John F. Kennedy Award for Academic Excellence, reflected on the question that shaped much of her academic journey: “Why?”
During her speech, Syeda recalled asking herself why she chose such a demanding major and why she continued through long nights, exhaustion, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. She said her answer became clear as she looked toward her family in the audience and the generations before them whose sacrifices made her success possible.
A nursing major, Syeda moved to Massachusetts from India with her family in 2017. Following graduation, she will begin working as a registered nurse in the hematology-oncology unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
“But standing here today, I also have to acknowledge the privilege of access to higher education. The privilege of immigrating to a country where pursuing a university education in a field of my choice could become a possibility for me. The privilege of having parents who encouraged me to pursue my dreams, classrooms where I could learn freely, and the ability to imagine a future and work toward it. Not everyone is given those opportunities,” she said.
Syeda acknowledged students around the world whose education has been disrupted by war and instability, including those in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, Haiti, and Ukraine.
“Many may never get to experience a day like this. However, acknowledging that reality does not take away from our celebration; rather, it gives it meaning,” she said. “It is something to be grateful for and something to be responsible with.”
She told fellow graduates to hold on to their “why” and allow it to guide the way they treat others, the choices they make, and the impact they leave behind.
“As we step into whatever comes next, may we lead with gratitude, stay grounded in our ‘why,’ and continue building the kind of world we want to be part of–together."
