Wentworth Institute of Technology Class of 2026 Celebrates Spring Commencement at Fenway
A Historic Commencement in the Heart of Boston
The Wentworth Institute of Technology Class of 2026 marked a significant milestone on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with a memorable Spring Commencement ceremony held at the iconic MGM Music Hall in Boston’s historic Fenway neighborhood. The event brought together graduates, families, faculty, and distinguished guests to celebrate the achievements of Wentworth’s newest alumni in a venue that perfectly captured the energy and innovation of this renowned technical university.
The day began with graduates gathering at the nearby House of Blues, where the sounds of Bruno Mars and Tate McRae created an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. As students donned their black caps and gowns, friends and family members filled the beautiful MGM Music Hall across Lansdowne Street, ready to witness this pivotal moment in their loved ones’ lives.
Leadership and Inspiration from University Officials
The ceremony opened with Board Chair Rose Conti calling the 122nd Spring Commencement of Wentworth Institute of Technology to order. Institute Marshal Jenn Kosses, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, led the graduates in a formal procession that included the Boston Fire Department Honor Guard, adding a touch of civic pride to the academic celebration.
Sonia Abdel-Fattah, Architecture ’26, delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, setting a tone of patriotism and pride that would carry through the day’s proceedings. Her performance was followed by President Mark A. Thompson’s address, which reflected on both the significance of the moment and the unique challenges facing this year’s graduates.
“Of all my duties as President, the one I enjoy most is celebrating the hard work that led you here today, and every accomplishment along the way,” President Thompson told the graduates. “Today is your day, and this is your moment.” He acknowledged the rapidly evolving landscape that graduates are entering, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence and broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
“The conversation around AI is loud, and often anxious,” Thompson noted. “But I want you to leave here today knowing that the graduates of Wentworth are not bystanders in that story. You are builders. You are the ones who will decide how these tools get designed, applied, and governed. That is not a small thing.”
Student Voice: Sarah Carpenter’s Journey
The student address was delivered by Sarah Carpenter, Master of Architecture ’26 and Architecture ’25, whose personal journey resonated deeply with her classmates. “Five years ago, this would have been my worst nightmare,” Carpenter admitted. “I was the awkward homeschooled kid who showed up in 2021, straight out of the woods of New Hampshire, barely able to speak in front of a group, let alone make eye contact.”
What transformed Carpenter’s experience was the Wentworth community itself. She spoke of learning “that being quiet is not the absence of confidence, but the ability to truly listen to others,” and described the university as a second home built on late nights, shared coffee, and endless encouragement.
“A slightly dysfunctional, sleep-deprived family who debates sandwich rankings at unholy hours, but a family nonetheless,” she said. “We grew together. We pushed each other, supported each other, and became who we are because we did it side by side.”
Carpenter’s message to her fellow graduates was clear: their strength is “borrowed, shared, and multiplied by every person who believed in us when we couldn’t believe in ourselves.” She emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of Wentworth students as their greatest asset in facing future challenges.
“The world is waiting for us, and yes, challenges lie ahead,” she said. “But we’ve learned something here that most people never learn: how to see possibilities where others see obstacles. How to create beauty in broken places. How to listen before we speak, and lift others as we climb.”
Her closing words drew enthusiastic cheers: “Watch out, world. We’re not just stepping into the future. We’re here to shape it.”
Keynote Address: Vickie Alani’s Message of Optimism
The keynote address was delivered by Vickie Alani, Managing Director and Principal of the Boston studio of Perkins&Will, a member of the Wentworth Board of Trustees, and the day’s first honorary degree recipient. Alani’s remarkable journey from Baghdad to the podium at MGM Music Hall provided a powerful backdrop for her message about optimism, imagination, and resilience.
Born in Baghdad to a family of doctors, Alani described how her parents fled Iraq under dramatic circumstances when she was seven, restarted their careers in England, and ultimately rebuilt their lives again in Detroit after the U.S. government offered green cards to foreign-trained physicians in 1970.
“I am an immigrant. An American. A daughter of doctors who rebuilt their lives from scratch, twice, in countries whose languages were not their own,” Alani told the graduates. “I know what it means to start over. I know what it means to work for everything you love.”
Alani built her remarks around the idea that choosing a career in architecture, interior design, industrial design, or a design-related field is fundamentally an act of optimism. “Everyone in this room who has chosen a career in architecture, interior design, industrial design, or a design-related field has already answered [the question of what comes next], at least in one fundamental way,” she said. “You have chosen work that is, by its very nature, optimistic.”
She challenged graduates to protect that optimism against the forces that would erode it, including tight budgets, difficult clients, long timelines, and cynical colleagues. “Be the optimist in the room,” she urged. “Not naively, because you’ve been trained too well for that, but persistently.”
Alani closed by returning to her own improbable path from Baghdad to the podium. “You can do anything. And everything,” she said. “Go design something beautiful and amazing.”
Honoring Excellence and Service
President Thompson presented Alani with an honorary Doctor of Architecture degree, honoring her “visionary contributions to the built environment, passionate advocacy for women in design, and deep and enduring commitment to the students and mission of this university.”
Alani was joined by two additional honorary degree recipients from Wentworth’s own alumni community. Doug Karam, Class of 1983, founder of Boston-based construction consulting firm KV Associates and current Vice Chair of the Wentworth Board of Trustees, was recognized for more than four decades of industry leadership and his steady hand in guiding the university’s long-term strategic footprint, including the development of a new first-year residence hall.
Dave Wahlstrom, Class of 1980, was honored for 45 years of service to Wentworth, most recently as Vice President for Business. Wahlstrom was a driving force behind Wentworth’s transformation into a residential university, helping shape the residence halls at 525, 555, and 610 Huntington Avenue, the Center for Engineering, Innovation and Sciences, and Sweeney Field. He also helped establish the STRIVE Program and build the university’s enduring relationships with the Mission Hill community and the City of Boston.
Both Karam and Wahlstrom received the degree of Doctor in Construction Management, honoris causa.
Celebrating Academic Achievement
Executive Vice President and Provost Sophia Maggelakis presided over the presentation of diplomas, calling the deans of each of Wentworth’s five schools to the podium to present their graduates. The moment was particularly meaningful for students who had worked tirelessly to reach this milestone.
Jason Dank, a Computer Science graduate heading to the Fidelity Investments Private Equity team as a software engineer, cited his senior project—a CAPTCHA replacement built using computer vision with MediaPipe—as a highlight of his time at Wentworth.
Maggie Stahl, Architecture ’26, spent four years as an orientation leader and coordinator. Commencement carried a bittersweet weight for her. “I’m really proud of the impact that I’ve had at orientation,” she said. Her advice to incoming students was simple: “Make as many friends as possible. Get involved. Do as many things as you can. It’s how so many people make connections.”
Master of Architecture graduates and Wentworth lacrosse teammates Felicity Gonzalez and Lily Cohen reflected on balancing their sport with their studio workload. “Definitely a lot of work to be a student athlete and in Architecture specifically,” Cohen said. “But it was really rewarding. We had a lot of fun. No regrets.”
A New Chapter Begins
The new locations for Spring Commencement 2026 proved to be a resounding success, providing memorable moments and plenty of pride for the Wentworth community. The combination of the House of Blues for pre-ceremony gathering and the MGM Music Hall for the main event created a unique atmosphere that perfectly captured the energy and innovation of Wentworth’s graduates.
As the Class of 2026 moves forward into their professional careers, they carry with them not only the technical skills and knowledge gained through their Wentworth education but also the resilience, optimism, and collaborative spirit that were so evident throughout the commencement ceremony. From the immigrant story of Vickie Alani to the personal journey of Sarah Carpenter, the messages of the day were clear: the world needs the unique perspective and capabilities that Wentworth graduates bring, and these new alumni are ready to shape the future.
The Wentworth Institute of Technology continues its mission as “the University of Opportunity,” preparing students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of innovation, leadership, and positive impact on the world around them.
