Photos Shine a Light on the Energy of Bentley Commencement Weekend

The crowd stands as a steady procession of nearly 1,200 members of the Class of 2026 makes its way onto the Bentley football field. Nervous smiles quickly turn into cheers and enthusiastic waves as graduates spot family members and friends. 

Bentley University’s 107th undergraduate commencement ceremony, held May 16, was marked by anticipation, excitement, celebration, relief — and words of wisdom from keynote speaker Sarah Iselin, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, among others.  

The previous afternoon was no less celebratory as PhD and graduate students marked their own milestones at the McCallum Graduate School of Business 51st commencement ceremony, held in the Bentley Arena. Jon Bernstein, New England regional president of PNC Bank, delivered the keynote address. 

Commencement Moments Captured in Photos 

The ceremonies were filled with both small joys and pivotal moments that will be remembered long after the celebrations ended.

Snapshots from the Undergraduate Ceremony

Under sunny skies and warm temperatures, the football field buzzed with excitement as graduates took their seats. It was finally time to celebrate their big moment.

‘If you keep working at it, you’ll stay in the game’

At the undergraduate ceremony, Bentley President E. LaBrent Chrite expressed his confidence in the Class of 2026. “You have earned an education that uniquely positions you to impact the marketplace as well as the human condition. From here, you will move forward into the world not as passive bystanders but as architects of your life and your career.” He shared an approach that has guided his own path: “A strategy that applies across generations, across technologies and eras: If you keep working at it, you’ll stay in the game. Effort still matters. That’s how you’ll find success.”

‘Purpose is who you are’

Sarah Iselin emphasized the power of purpose over passion — recognizing her early shift from an art to healthcare career. “Your passions will change and evolve with time; but a purpose is who you are.” 

“The world is constantly remaking itself,” she said. “Through it all, every single class finds their purpose. They find a million ways to be joyful. A million ways the world is beautiful. And a million ways to make it better, using all the values that you have learned in your time here: kindness, integrity, respect for the inherent worth of every human being. Your values won’t change. They will drive your sense of purpose.”

‘Adapt and keep moving forward’

Class President Kevin Harnois ’26 encouraged classmates to have confidence in their future. “As we head into whatever comes next, one of the most important things that we take with us is not going to be from our textbooks, but rather from the knowledge that we can handle anything that comes our way. Not everyone needs to feel ready all the time; you just need to be willing to try, to adapt and to keep moving forward — even if you don’t know where you’re going.”

The audience fell still during a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Bentley seniors Michael LeFevre ’26, Tyler Rauch ’26, Matilde Ronchi ’26, Connor Salvatore ’26, Andhika Sitepu ’26 and Samylle Soares ’26.

Graduate Ceremony Highlights

Overcast skies and light rain didn’t dampen the energy or applause inside the Bentley Arena as students in the McCallum Graduate School of Business crossed the stage for their diplomas. Many juggled full-time jobs, family and other responsibilities while earning their degree. 

‘The pursuit of excellence’

Keynote speaker Jon Bernstein reflected on learning that “it’s OK to not know something” as he navigated dyslexia as a student — and how that lesson helped him overcome imposter syndrome, work hard and aim high. “When you commit to the pursuit of excellence, you can find your voice and walk into any interview, project meeting, client visit or boardroom with the confidence of knowing you belong.” 

‘Define success boldly’

Natasha Tejeda, MBA ’26, a first-generation student, candidly shared how the graduate program helped her define her own path. “Bentley taught us frameworks, strategies and analytics. But it also taught us something deeper: We define what success looks like. As we leave here today, may we lead with confidence. May we define success boldly. And may we never shrink ourselves to make others feel comfortable. We belong in every room we walk into.”

About the Graduates: Facts and Figures 

The Class of 2026 includes 1,187 undergraduate students representing 33 U.S. states and territories and 50 countries. The degrees include 1,177 Bachelor of Science degrees and 10 Bachelor of Arts degrees. The class also includes 416 graduate students representing 29 U.S. states and territories and 22 countries. They include 272 Master of Science degrees, 140 Master of Business Administration degrees and four PhDs.