St. Lawrence Class of 2026 Celebrates Its Superpowers
As St. Lawrence University celebrated the Class of 2026 during Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, President Kate Morris encouraged graduates to harness the uniquely human “superpowers” they developed during their time on campus.
The theme was especially fitting as the University honored Marvel Entertainment executive and St. Lawrence alumnus Dan Buckley ’89 with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
“The most memorable heroes are defined not just by what they can do, but by their sense of purpose, their integrity, and by the choice to use their gifts in service of something larger than themselves,” she said. “That, it turns out, is not so different from what happens here at St. Lawrence.”
Superpowers the World Needs Most
Morris described the Class of 2026 as a group shaped not only by academic achievement, but also by empathy, resilience, creativity, collaboration, and moral judgment—qualities she called essential in a rapidly changing world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence and technological disruption.
“You are graduating into a world being reshaped—by technology, by artificial intelligence, by forces that are moving faster than anyone can fully predict,” Morris said. “But the most important capacities you’ve developed and honed here are distinctly human: empathy, creativity, moral judgment.”
Throughout her remarks, Morris highlighted graduating seniors whose accomplishments embodied those strengths, including NCAA champion runner Nick Lyndaker, neuroscience researcher Sara St. Clair, student leader Michael Agyekum, creative writer Gracie Ringer, and voting advocate Alex Ferguson.
“The instinct to connect, to collaborate, and to care—those are the superpowers the world needs most," Morris said.
Embrace New Beginnings
Buckley, who leads Marvel Entertainment’s comics and franchise divisions, received St. Lawrence’s highest honor in recognition of a career that has helped shape one of the world’s most influential storytelling brands.
Introducing Buckley, Vice President of the University and Dean of Academic Affairs Alison Del Rossi praised his creativity and mentorship of St. Lawrence students and alumni.
“Your leadership has shaped landmark moments across publishing, digital media, gaming, animation, and live-action entertainment, helping Marvel evolve into a worldwide creative and cultural force,” Del Rossi said.
In his Commencement address, Buckley reflected on the many “beginnings” that shaped his own life—from St. Lawrence and time spent studying in Japan during graduate school to innovating in his career at Marvel and building his family. He encouraged graduates to remain open to unexpected opportunities and transformations.
“The future is not predicted or predictable,” Buckley said. “It’s surprising, it’s exciting, sometimes scary, often unbelievable and at times hard, but full of possibility and endless potential.”
Buckley also reminded graduates that their identities will continue to evolve far beyond the labels and accomplishments they hold today.
“You will be the sum total of all your experiences and relationships,” he said. “My hope for you is that you embrace each ‘ending’ by celebrating the ones that involved joyous journeys… and being open to and excited for the next experience that starts at the end of what came before.”
“There’s Very Little You Can’t Do”
Faculty speaker and Associate Professor of Psychology Megs Carpenter reassured graduates that fear and uncertainty are natural parts of life after college.
“It is okay to be scared,” Carpenter said, and then reminded the class that they were graduating with everything they need: “Skills like managing your time. Presenting your ideas out loud, even when your voice shakes a little. Thinking critically about information and arguments. Doing research. Writing clearly and persuasively. With those skills, there is very little you can’t learn how to do.”
The Power of the Laurentian Community
Senior Class Vice President Hayden Beyer reflected on the power of community and the relationships formed during the past four years. “We learned that no problem is ever solved alone,” Beyer said. “Be the person who brings that SLU sense of community into rooms that have forgotten what it feels like.”
Beyer announced the Senior Capstone Gift of more than $407,000, which comprises all philanthropy from members of the Senior Class, their families, and other members of the Laurentian Community in honor of the graduating seniors since July 1, 2025. The effort centered on establishing the Class of 2026 Fund for Professional Pursuits. The award will support student expenses associated with career development and exploration, a key tenet of our nationally-ranked No. 1 Alumni Network.
Senior Orator Navya Aggarwal spoke about the shared experiences that unite her classmates across multiple cultures, countries, and backgrounds, starting with “a shared decision to pursue a demanding liberal arts education.”
Each arrived through different avenues, Aggarwal said, including sports, scholarships, proximity, and family members who had worn the scarlet and brown colors before them. “And yet, here we all are,” she reflected. “At some point, it stops feeling like coincidence. It starts to feel like St. Lawrence has a way of finding us.
Leadership and Legacy
President Morris and Chair of the Board of Trustees Jennifer Curley Reichert ’90 presented the Jeffery H. Boyd ’78 Leadership Prize to Michael Agyekum '26, recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to belonging and opportunity. The Trustee Academic Achievement Award went to both Abby Grace Barton and Kaitlin E. Hopper, who tied for the highest cumulative grade point average of 4.0 in the class. Both are members of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
In addition, St. Lawrence awarded its North Country Citation posthumously to Daniel G. Fay, longtime educator, community leader, and beloved owner of the Hoot Owl restaurant. Accepting the award on behalf of her family, Kelley Fay Glasgow ’96 reflected on her father’s lifelong commitment to kindness and community.
“He judged everyone he ever met on their actions alone,” Glasgow said, “and if he thought you were a good person, you had a friend for life.”
On Saturday during Commencement Weekend, Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet Cole Siebels received his commission as an officer in the California Army National Guard. The political science and history double-major is an Adjutant General Officer with the 49th Personnel Company n Sacramento, California.
Congratulations to all our graduates and their loved ones!
