Amid great grandeur, the opening messages delivered on stage were ones of encouragement and optimism, achievement and perseverance. And proof of the words was seated directly up front in cap and gown, listening as had been done so intently through the years.

This was the 140th Commencement, Class of 2026, for Stetson University. More precisely, this was Saturday morning, May 9, at the Edmunds Center’s Insight Credit Union Arena, for the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Music.

Commencement ceremonies also were held the evening prior for the School of Business Administration, and later on May 9 for more new graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences. The renovated Edmunds Center, by the way, served as a comfortable host, with the ceremonies having been moved this year from off-campus, outdoor Spec Martin Municipal Stadium.

All totaled, more than 1,000 graduates flipped their tassel from the right side of their cap to the left, officially increasing the overall count of living Stetson alumni to more than 45,000. In addition, an honorary doctorate degree was conferred to Bill Roberts, who, after graduating from Stetson, built a distinguished 40-year career spanning telecommunications, real estate, public policy and community leadership.

Across the two days of ceremonies, the smiles and sentiments, remarks and reflections were largely the same. They were poignant, powerful and prideful.

‘Believe In Your Dreams’

Following a trademark energetic welcome from President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, Steven Alexander ’85, chair of the Stetson University Board of Trustees, set the tone with encouragement, quoting Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Alexander then added his own words: “So believe in your dreams. Chase them. Work for them. And most importantly, use them to make a difference. Because the true measure of your success will not just be what you achieve, but what you give back.”

The first of the student speakers, Serena Dowling (Political Science and History), spoke of challenge and growth. She told her fellow graduates: “I know that each of us have faced unexpected challenges and unforgettable memories. From senior research, to recitals, to involvement in student organizations, each of us have played a role in shaping the community at Stetson University. And, in turn, that same community shaped us.”

Later, she asserted: “Stetson did not teach us our limits. Stetson taught us our limitless potentials. Here, I’ve learned to dream bigger than I ever dared before.”

In essence, Geoffery Barthle (Music Education), another of the four speakers that morning, crystallized the Stetson Experience for so many of his classmates.

“We showed up, day after day. Even when it was hard. Even when we were exhausted. Even when we were not sure we had it in us. And somewhere along the way, we changed,” he said.

“Before Stetson, we had an idea of who we were. But during our time here, that idea was challenged. It was stretched. It was reshaped in ways we never expected.”

Student Commencement Speakers

• Geoffery Barthle, Music Education
• Erika Cuevas, Master of Education in Educational Leadership
• Serena Dowling, Political Science and History
• Phoenix Medley, Environmental Studies
• Trinideé Mercado, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Lauren Mullins, Health Science
• Beatriz Celio Vossen, Master of Accountancy

Class of 2026

The Class of 2026 includes students from: Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam. Forty-two U.S. states and territories are represented, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (U.S.).

-Michael Candelaria