On Sunday, May 17, Brandeis kicked off their 75th undergraduate commencement ceremony in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, broadcasted live via Zoom for those who were unable to join  in-person. The warm weather and cloudless sky were the perfect backdrop for the many families and friends that came to celebrate the class of 2026. Students wore decorated caps and chords or stoles that honored their extracurricular and academic achievements. This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient Sheryl Sandberg and a student address from Khimaya Bagla ’26.

Prof. Jennifer Cleary (THA) served as the announcer and introduced the procession, which included Grand Marshal John Burt, Marshals of the Faculty Carol Fierke PhD ’84 and Jeffrey Lenowitz, Marshals of the Class of 2026 Alyssa Golden ’26 and Zaire Simmonds ’26, the President’s Councilors and Fellows of the University, the Board of Trustees and the Honorary Degree recipients. 

Rabbi Seth Winberg, the Senior Jewish Chaplain and Executive Director of Brandeis Hillel, gave the invocation. He asked graduates to turn around in their seats and wave to loved ones that have played an important role in their journey as students and adults. Making reference to the Torah and Jewish tradition, Rabbi Winberg recognized the impact that faculty, mentors and advisors likewise have on students. He spoke about the responsibility students have after graduation as they “spend the rest of [their] life opening worlds for others as teachers, colleagues, friends, citizens and within the families [they themselves] will build.” He ended his speech with an emphasis on the importance of  community, saying “you did not get here alone. You will not go forward alone.”

Madyson Rose Buchanan ’26 stepped forward to sing the national anthem. Afterwards, Prof. Cleary returned briefly to recognize Media Technology Services Director Tim O’Neill’s retirement after 20 years and his leadership in planning and executing the University’s commencement ceremonies, as well as the faculty and staff members who were given special awards for excellence in teaching, mentoring and service. 

To offer greetings and remarks, Chair of the Board of Trustees Lisa Kranc ’75 was next to speak. After congratulating the graduates, she spoke about Brandeis’ history as “an experiment” and “the Jewish community’s proud gift to America’s higher education landscape,” emphasizing Brandeis’ commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds. Kranc also spoke about the importance of this year’s commencement as the 75th, and recognized the class of 1976 who celebrated their 50th reunion and were present at the ceremony. Kranc quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the first members of Brandeis’ Board of Trustees and the keynote speaker for the class of 1950’s commencement ceremony, who implored graduates to have courage: “It is often easier to accept the offer of security than to adventure. People who achieve things are rarely secure. Adventure is always much more interesting.” Kranc ended her speech by asking students to “be the change that counts.” 

President Levine took the podium to give remarks, asking the audience to give the graduates a round of applause. He thanked Karen Sachs ’83, a trustee, along with David Sachs for their generous donation to Brandeis to enhance student life. He also thanked Supreme Court Justice Louisa Brandeis Popkin, Louis D. Brandeis’ granddaughter, for being present at the commencement ceremony. President Levine emphasized how the world is changing; the one our parents and professors knew is fading away and a new one is emerging. Among the skills, knowledge and values that students have learned over the course of their college career, hope, he said, is important to keep in our lives. He advised students to hold onto three blessings. First, to carry with them “the hope necessary to live everyday of [their] life and to hold onto [their] dreams.” His second blessing was responsibility — the responsibility to do right by others when you are in a position of privilege. “I wish you the ability to look in the mirror everyday, for the rest of your lives, and be proud of what you see,” President Levine said. His final blessing was efficacy, and he wished students to feel empowered to make a difference, “tomorrow is going to require leaders and followers who care deeply about our shared agenda together.” He reminded students, “you can make a difference.”

Members of the Board of Trustees presented the honorary degrees to this year's recipients, including Meyer Koplow ’72, P’02, P’05 accompanied by Marshal Lisa Lynch H’17; Jeannette McCarthy accompanied by Marshal Sally Warner; Larry Kanarek ’76 accompanied by Marshal Aldo Musacchio; Sheryl Sandberg accompanied by Marshal Jill Greenlee and Toshizo Watanabe ’73 in absentia. 

Sheryl Sandberg ’26 delivered this year’s keynote address. As she stood up to speak, several students stood and turned their backs to her, while others left their seats and the main sitting area. An Instagram post was circulated by the “students_against_sandberg” Instagram account prior to the ceremony that read “Brandeis Class of 2026, friends, and families: In silent protest of Sheryl Sandberg and Brandeis’ decision to grant her an honorary degree please join us in standing and turning your back for her speech.” The account features posts about two articles previously published by The Justice on students’ reactions to Sandberg — one about a student-led petition and one about Senate Resolution No. 4 — a Letter-to-the-Editor submitted by alumni Laura Limonic ’97 and Op-Ed by Nora Herndon-Lazerwith ’26, as well as multiple other posts detailing student requests of the administration. 

In her speech,  Sandberg told a story about a monastery that was slowly emptying out in the face of a scientific revolution, describing how the five remaining monks found a way to believe in each other and themselves, eventually reclaiming their presence in the community. In the face of moments of uncertainty like that of the parable, Sandberg pointed to three ways to respond. First, “choose contribution over self protection.” She continued, “The person who asks ‘what do you need’ instead of ‘what do I want’ is unforgettable.” Second, “Choose collectivism over tribalism,” Sandberg said. She mentioned the recent rise of anti-semitism, asserting that  2025 had the most deaths from anti-semetic attacks in the past 30 years. Brandeis was built on values that education should be open for everyone, on “inclusion born out of exclusion.” In the spirit of those values, Sandberg talked about the importance of retaining one’s humanity when the world seeks to divide people. Third, “Don’t script your career.” She advised students to have a short-term plan and a long-term dream, but allow themselves to try new things along the way. Towards the end of her speech, Sandberg faced boos from the crowd. 

Degrees were conferred by the Board of Trustees, and Andrea Dine, Vice President for Student Affairs, was called to the podium to present a degree in memoriam of Charles Eng, whose father came to collect his diploma. 

Khimaya Bagla ’26 was invited on stage to give the student address. She started her speech enthusiastically, congratulating her fellow classmates.   Bagla, who graduated with a dual degree in neuroscience and psychology and a minor in journalism, reflected on the impact and role that the Brandeis community and its resources have played in her journey. She emphasized, “Brandeis taught me that courage isn’t given. It is claimed.” Bagla continued, “in choosing to stretch ourselves, to test our limits, we discover we are capable of more than we ever imagined.” She discussed her desire to belong at Brandeis and her experience saying “yes” to every opportunity that presented itself to her, even when it felt like too much. ” However, when faced with a tough situation, Bagla said, “it mattered to me to try.” Bagla described how in moments of fatigue and uncertainty, community and a reliance on our peers can help us navigate those difficulties.  “All of us owe a debt of gratitude to someone else — the person who said to each one of us ‘you can do it’ before we believed it for ourselves,” Bagla said. She took a moment to honor her parents, who have supported her through all four years from her home in India, and ended her speech by reminding students that it is “it is our responsibility to reach our full potential,” and to keep showing up for one another. 

Following the student address, Amy Cohen ’85, President of the Brandeis University Alumni Association, presented her remarks. “[This is the] beginning of a life long bond,” she said. Cohen emphasized the impact Brandeis grads have had in the real world adding that, “you are forever a part of our legacy.” Cohen stressed the importance of community and friendship, and concluded her remarks by welcoming students to the Brandeis alumni family. 

President Levine and members of the Board of Trustees stood on stage to congratulate each member of the graduating class as they accepted their degrees.

 Finally, Kristen Watson sang the Brandeis alma mater, and Lara Ericson, Director of Spiritual Life, closed the recessional with the benediction. “May you have the courage to stand up [to] what you believe in,” Watson said. She continued,“May you continue to nurture the relationships that were formed at Brandeis.” The ceremony concluded with the graduates throwing their caps in the air, marking their achievement as graduates of Brandeis University.