Schools across Tufts presented degrees to more than 3,600 graduates during individual ceremonies
Photo: Michael Last
Throughout the day on May 17, individual degree ceremonies and luncheons were held by the graduate and professional schools, departments in the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering. Family and friends cheered on their graduates in tents and auditoriums across the Medford/Somerville campus and at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton.
School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences honored the Class of 2026 in a pair of ceremonies.
When addressing the graduating students and guests at the morning event in the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center, School of Medicine Dean Helen Boucher spoke to the strength of the graduates’ character and their shared values of responsibility, empathy, intellectual curiosity, and resilience.
“Medicine and science are changing quickly—new discoveries are being translated into practice, technology is changing how care is delivered and how research is conducted, and health professionals are being asked to respond to challenges that are increasingly complex and interconnected,” Boucher said. “In such an environment, what matters most is not the speed of change itself, but the people prepared to work within it.”
The School of Medicine recognized 195 individuals who earned an MD, including 15 who also earned a Master of Public Health, and three who also earned a Ph.D. In addition, at the morning ceremony, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences honored 12 students who earned their Ph.D. and 12 who earned a master’s degree.
A separate ceremony was held in the afternoon on the Carmichael Quadrangle for students earning graduate degrees at the School of Medicine, including those with a Master of Public Health (99 graduates), Master of Biomedical Sciences (97 graduates), Master of Medical Science (50 graduates), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (118 graduates). —Angela Nelson
School of Dental Medicine
At its 158th commencement ceremony, the School of Dental Medicine awarded 232 DMD degrees, 13 master’s degrees, and two doctoral-level degrees. Speakers highlighted the power of resilience, both personally and professionally, and the importance of helping people be the best versions of themselves.
“In dentistry, in leadership, and in life, curiosity keeps us learning. Judgment shuts doors. The best clinicians—and the best colleagues—stay curious,” said Dean Nadeem Karimbux.
Jaylon Johnson, president of the D26 class, acknowledged that while dental school is challenging, the unprecedented global political climate in recent years made it even more so.
“True diversity in dentistry is not a trend, it is essential. It must be reflected in our commitment to equity, representation, and access to care for all communities. Because the true measure of this class will not only be the smiles we restore, but the lives we uplift, the barriers we break, and the humanity we choose to honor—every single day,” he said. —Angela Nelson
The Fletcher School
At The Fletcher School’s 92nd commencement ceremony, 135 students were awarded degrees. Graduates received 4 Ph.D.s and 131 master’s degrees in Law and Diplomacy, Transatlantic Affairs, Global Affairs, Global Business Administration, International Business, Law and International Laws, and Cybersecurity and Public Policy.
The Honorable Shashi Tharoor, F76, F77, FG79, a former undersecretary of the United Nations, four-term member of India’s parliament, and author received the Dean’s Medal and gave the keynote address.
“In a world easily tempted by simple answers and narrow horizons, the education that teaches you to think globally, to listen carefully, and to act with a sense of responsibility beyond yourself is not just valuable, but is indispensable,” he said. “Go out into the world not to control it, because you cannot, but to engage with it, often in the company of those who do not entirely agree with you, to help shape it and, when necessary, to challenge it.”
Chidi Odinkalu, a professor of the practice of international human rights law, was selected by students as the winner of the James L. Paddock Teaching Award and gave the faculty address.
The Peter Ackerman Award was given to Joey Lynn Ching Aracena and Lima Halima-Khalil, and the student address was given by Shabnam Waheed, F26. Michaela Drucker received the Leo Gross Law Prize and Maya Spalding-Fecher and Stuti Kulkarni received the Edmund A. Gullion Prize. —Marc Chalufour
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
A story about a recent Sunday spent picking stones out of soil and planting herbs opened FoodCorps founder Curt Ellis’s keynote speech at this year’s commencement ceremony for the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School for Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
“In the career you have chosen, you wield the single greatest tool humanity has ever had for showing connection and care,” said Ellis, a filmmaker and advocate for sustainable agriculture and healthy food who made the 2007 documentary King Corn. He also stressed the importance of learning by doing. “You leave here ready to write the next chapter of what I believe is humanity’s most meaningful work.”
Seventy-one degrees were awarded to graduating students, who left the school as “stewards of the Earth,” said Friedman School Dean Christina Economos.
“Build what does not yet exist but should. Fight for equity and inclusion not just as an aspiration, but as an expectation,” Economos urged graduates. “Take what you’ve learned here—the science, the policy, the leadership, the community—and use it to nourish the soul of the planet.”
Student speaker Maya Sandhofer, who earned her MS specializing in Food and Nutrition Policy and Programs, spoke about the challenges facing our food system, including climate change, labor inequity, less research funding, and lack of equal access to nutritious, affordable food.
“These are the moments we step forward, not back. Go out there and act, even if it means you have to do it afraid,” Sandhofer said. “Fear may have brought us here, but it is courage and community that will carry us forward.”
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
The 44th commencement at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University was celebrated on the Grafton campus, where Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, and master’s degrees were bestowed upon some 140 graduates.
Holden Sakala, V26, the student-nominated speaker for the D.V.M. graduates and class vice president, kept the audience chuckling with his self-deprecating humor and refreshing vulnerability.
“The road to the coveted three letters has been torturous, tumultuous, and above all else, triumphant,” said Sakala. “Through strife and success, we have discovered and perfected a profound resiliency that has now seen us through to realizing a lifelong goal and firmly placed us at the doorstep of endless possibility.”
Megan Mueller, A08, AG10, AG13, associate professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology at Cummings School and co-director of the Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, told graduates that science is a team sport, and the most valuable thinking happens when different minds tackle the same problem.
“I know it can feel like you’ve spent years being students and suddenly everyone expects you to be the expert, which is a little scary,” said Mueller. “But here’s the truth. You don’t have to know everything, and frankly, you shouldn’t try to. The good news is that your teammates are already sitting right next to you.” —Angela Nelson
