{"id":2774,"date":"2026-06-30T17:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/?p=2774"},"modified":"2026-06-30T17:51:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:51:02","slug":"words-of-wisdom-from-the-class-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worcester.edu\/magazine\/2026\/06\/30\/words-of-wisdom-from-the-class-of-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Words of Wisdom from the Class of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Class of 2026 marks 150 years of Lancer resilience<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Class of 2026 occupies a unique space in the history of Worcester State University, serving as a vital bridge between a world transformed by global upheaval and a future defined by intentional connection. Entering higher education at the end of the pandemic, a time when “normalcy” was being fundamentally redefined, these students did not merely adapt to a changing landscape; they became the architects of a more grounded, community-focused campus culture. They arrived with a quiet resilience, having navigated the tail end of a global shift, and emerged with a pragmatic drive to make their mark on the world through steady, meaningful action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their graduation carries an added weight of historical significance, as the Class of 2026 stands as the university\u2019s 150th graduating class. This milestone links today\u2019s students to a century and a half of Lancer history, yet this generation is characterized by a refreshing lack of pretense and a deep-seated value for the tangible. For them, the collegiate experience has been less about abstract milestones and more about the hustle of the workload and the solidity of the connections made in between. <\/span><\/p>\n

What stands out most among these landmark graduates is a sophisticated understanding of how to navigate systems to find community. These are students who know that the quietest study carrels are on the library\u2019s upper floors, that a long walk from street parking is a fair trade for a bit of peace, and that a professor\u2019s office hours are a doorway to mentorship. <\/span><\/p>\n

As they prepare to step across the commencement stage to join the ranks of 149 classes before them, the Class of 2026 is leaving the university not just with diplomas, but with a hard-won confidence and a refined ability to make the best of whatever situation they encounter. They see the future not as a guarantee, but as a series of opportunities that their Worcester State education has equipped them to navigate.<\/span><\/p>\n

To capture the diverse perspectives of this historic “bridge” generation, we asked several graduating seniors to reflect on their journey, their favorite campus secrets, and the legacy they leave behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady Carlin, Environmental Science<\/span><\/h3>\n

A Sense of Belonging:<\/strong> The moment I went from being a commuter to a resident. I moved on campus the year I became an RA and met many close friends. Being an RA allowed me to learn about all the clubs and organizations, which connected me with so many more people.
\nFavorite Tradition:<\/strong> The bingo nights that multiple clubs and organizations put on. I would recommend that students stay involved; I found great friends, mentors, and opportunities just by staying active on campus.
\nGo-To Study Spot:<\/strong> The library or the study rooms in the Science and Tech building.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> Not to be afraid to put myself into new and uncomfortable situations. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my life have been from stepping outside of my comfort zone.<\/p>\n

Wilianny Ovalle, Early Childhood Education<\/span><\/h3>\n

A Sense of Belonging:<\/strong> I truly felt like I belonged once I started attending the various events held throughout the week. One moment that really stuck out to me was the $10,000 Bingo night. Seeing the entire student population gather in one place was incredible. It\u2019s more than just a game; it\u2019s a chance to make new friends and bond with the ones you already have. That sense of community is when it clicked for me.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> I\u2019m taking a lot of lessons with me, but physically, I\u2019ll be taking my collection of door tags. I\u2019ve saved every single one since my freshman year. They serve as a wonderful visual timeline of my growth and a reminder of the people who helped shape who I am today.
\nGo-To Study Spot:<\/strong> The third floor of the library is the ultimate spot for an intense study session. It\u2019s consistently quiet, and the individual cubbies allow you to really zone in, set up your space, and block out any outside distractions for hours at a time.
\nFavorite Tradition:<\/strong> I’m actually going to miss the themed dinners in the dining hall the most. While they might not be the most extravagant events on the calendar, they are the ones everyone talks about for days. They provide a fun, much-needed break from the academic tension of the semester and bring everyone together.<\/p>\n

Julia Shanoudy, Occupational Therapy<\/span><\/h3>\n

Campus \u2018Hack\u2019:<\/strong> Every Lancer should know that the best way to get a head start on the day is hitting the gym or the student center early. It sets a productive tone before the campus gets busy.
\nA Sense of Belonging:<\/strong> The moment I felt I belonged was when I began my clinical rotations and realized how well my professors had prepared me. Applying what I learned in the classroom to help people in the community made everything feel official.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> I am taking away the lifelong friendships I\u2019ve built here. We have supported each other through some of the most rigorous parts of our program, and those bonds are just as important as the degree itself.
\nThe Class of 2026 in Three Words:<\/strong> Tenacious, connected, and authentic.<\/p>\n

Liam Walsh, Criminal Justice and Psychology<\/span><\/h3>\n

Campus \u2018Hack\u2019:<\/strong> I would argue that people do not take advantage of professors’ office hours enough. Each major has dedicated faculty who want you to succeed. Making the effort to forge quality connections can help greatly if your professors ever hear of internship or employment opportunities.
\nGo-To Study Spot:<\/strong> The third floor of the library. If you like to work in peace with minimal distractions, it is the perfect place.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> I am leaving Worcester State with a sense of profound optimism. The last four years have allowed us to develop the critical skills needed to move forward, and I feel very prepared to take on professional and personal challenges.<\/p>\n

Zachary Rich, History<\/span><\/h3>\n

Campus \u2018Hack\u2019:<\/strong> If you are a commuter like me, walk to campus after finding street parking. The on-campus parking scene is incredibly tight; I have saved mountains of time finding street parking and walking to campus instead.
\nA Sense of Belonging:<\/strong> There came a great awakening early in my Junior year when I started taking 300-level classes. I observed the fact that I was \u201cholding my own\u201d amongst the flood of projects and high-level discussions. I noticed that I could do this\u2014the whole nine yards of the collegiate workload.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> I have discovered my innate desire to socialize. I have come to realize that the hustle of our classwork does not define our experience; instead, it is best defined by the connections we make between ourselves and others.
\nUnofficial Anthem:<\/strong> YUNGBLUD\u2019s cover of \u201cChanges\u201d by Black Sabbath. It encapsulates the Class of 2026 because it plays on the dualism of reflecting on the past and all that we cannot change, while also unrelentingly announcing that we have a future.<\/p>\n

Hiba Nazzal, Biotechnology<\/span><\/h3>\n

Campus \u2018Hack\u2019:<\/strong> Take advantage of the quiet study spaces in the library, especially on the upper floors. A lot of people don\u2019t go up there, so it\u2019s usually much quieter and easier to focus.
\nA Sense of Belonging:<\/strong> I truly felt like I belonged when I got more involved on campus, especially through clubs like WooServe and the Pre-Health Club. Being surrounded by people who had similar goals and being able to make an impact in the community made me feel like I had found my place.
\nThe Takeaway:<\/strong> Aside from my diploma, I\u2019m taking confidence. Over the years, I\u2019ve grown a lot as a person, learned how to take on leadership roles, and realized that I\u2019m capable of achieving my goals.
\nThe Class of 2026 in Three Words:<\/strong> Resilient, driven, and supportive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Class of 2026 marks 150 years of Lancer resilience The Class of 2026 occupies a unique space in the history of Worcester State University, serving as a vital bridge between a world transformed by global upheaval and a future defined by intentional connection. Entering higher education at the end of the pandemic, a time […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17879,"featured_media":2781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[28,47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-worcester-state-magazine-spring-2026"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWords of Wisdom from the Class of 2026 | Worcester State University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Class of 2026 occupies a unique space in the history of Worcester State University, serving as a vital bridge between a world transformed by global upheaval and a future defined by intentional connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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