Order of Exercises
Processional
Processional of Graduates and Faculty
"Pomp and Circumstance" — UNH Wind Symphony, Andrew A. Boysen, Conductor and Professor of Music
The National Anthem
Performed by Lorrie Stevens ‘26
Opening Remarks
Presented by Elizabeth S. Chilton, President of the University
Recognition of Faculty
Presented by Jeannette E. Riley '91G, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Greetings from the Student Body and Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Presented by Shuva Paul ‘25
Commencement Address
Rebecca Rule ’76, ’79G, Storyteller, Story Gatherer, Writer
Honorary Degrees
Recipient: Rebecca Rule ’76, ’79G
Conferred by President Chilton
Presented and Hooded by Provost Riley
Granite State Award
Recipient: Dana Hamel
Conferred by President Chilton
Presented by Provost Riley
Conferring of Degrees
Conferred by President Chilton
Presented by Ashby Kinch, Vice Provost, and Dean of the Graduate School
Alma Mater
Preformed by Lorrie Stevens ’26
Welcome to the Alumni Association
Presented by Jennifer Pike, Member, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Charge to the Graduates and Closing Remarks
Presented by President Chilton
Recessional
"March from Suite in F" - University Wind Symphony
Platform Party
Elizabeth S. Chilton
President, University of New Hampshire
Jeannette E. Riley ’91G
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ashby Kinch
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Anthony S. Davis
Dean, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Michele Dillon
Dean, College of Liberal Arts
Lucy Gilson
Dean, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
Cyndee Gruden ’91, ’93G
Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Kirsten N. Corazzini, PhD FGSA
Dean, College of Health and Human Services
Michael Decelle ‘81
Dean, College of Professional Studies
Rebecca Rule ’76, ’79G
Story Gatherer, Storyteller, Writer
Karen Hamel Simas ’88
Daughter of Dana Hamel ‘88P, ‘23H
Mary Stampone
Chair, Faculty Senate, Associate Professor, Earth Sciences, and New Hampshire State Climatologist
Shuva Paul ‘25
President of Graduate Student Senate, PhD Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Jennifer Pitre
Member, UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors
Kenneth Holmes
Vice President for Student Life
Matthew MacManes
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
William Clyde
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Graduate School
James Gray ‘78
USNH Board of Trustees
James Gray ‘78
USNH Board of Trustees
Brian McCabe ‘91
USNH Board of Trustees
Faculty Marshals
Sajay Arthanat
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Radim Bartos
Department Chair and Professor of Computer Science
Sarah Batterson '13PhD
Senior Online Professional Faculty, CPS Chief Faculty Marshal
Reagan Baughman
John A. Hogan Distinguished Professor of Economics and Department Chair
Scott Berube '02, '03G
Principal Lecturer of Accounting and Finance, Paul Chief Faculty Marshal
Michael Brian
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, CHHS Chief Faculty Marshal
Claudi Brink
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Holly Cashman
Professor of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and Women's and Gender Studies
Kimberly Clark
Lecturer and Director of Business in Practice
Evan England '21
Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Center for Social Policy in Practice
Sherine Elsawa
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences
John Franklin
Lecturer of Decision Sciences
Michele Gauthier Hope
Clinical Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences
Paul Gilson
Senior Lecturer of Accounting and Finance
Karen J. Graham '83G, '86PhD
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
Vanessa Grunkemeyer
Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Chair and Director, UNH Pre-Veterinary Advising Program
Brett Gunn
Lecturer of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences
Fei Han
Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Tyler Jamison
Associate Professor of Human Development
Brad Kinsey
Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and CEPS Chief Faculty Marshal
Rita Kondrath
Senior Online Professional Faculty
Noele Lee
Senior Lecturer of Decision Sciences
Gibran Mancus
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Catherine Moran '04PhD
Principal Lecturer of Sociology and Director of Undergraduate Programs
Julie Paprocki
Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Tuck Pescosolido
Chair and Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship
Rose Pruiksma
Senior Lecturer of Music
Casey Rabideau '22G
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Md. Sazan Rahman
Assistant Professor
Lauren Sager '17PhD
Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and Statistics
Andrew Seal
Senior Lecturer of Economics
Susan Siggelakis
Program Director and Associate Professor of Justice Studies, and Political Science and International Affairs, COLA Chief Faculty Marshal
Jeannie Sowers
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
William Stine
Associate Professor of Psychology
Vidya Sundar
Department Chair and Professor of Occupational Therapy
Paul Tsang
Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, COLSA Chief Faculty Marshal
Anita Tucker
Professor and Associate Chair of Social Work
Charles Vannette
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Languages, Literature and Cultures
Aurora Vellante
Clinical Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
Meredith Young '11G
Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work
Class Marshals
William W. Feilbach Jr.
M.S., Graduate School
Sahar Jamialahmadi
M.S., Graduate School
Samuel Edwin Boulton
B.S., College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Sarah Evans Hewitt
B.S., College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Will Kirkpatrick
B.A., College of Liberal Arts
Molly Elizabeth Tucker
B.M., College of Liberal Arts
Nikhila Lampman
B.S., College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Jarrett Madru
B.S., College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Ella Jewett Longacre
B.S., Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
Anna Steele
B.S., Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
Jayden Angelee Cruz
B.S., College of Health and Human Services
Lauren Olinda Muratore
B.S., College of Health and Human Services
Jose J. Cintron Ortiz
B.A., College of Professional Studies
Rebecca J. Sanchez
B.A., College of Professional Studies
Graduates
Graduate School Ceremony — Friday, May 15, 2026
University of New Hampshire Graduate School
Board of Trustees
Michael J. Pilot ‘84, Chair
Kassandra Spanos Ardinger, Vice Chair
Kevin Knarr ‘91, Secretary
The Honorable Kelly Ayotte, Governor, Ex Officio
Matthew D. Ash
Maureen Beauregard ’87, ‘21G
Donald L. Birx, President, Plymouth State University, Ex-Officio
James P. Burnett, III (Jamie) ’95, ’96G, ‘98G
Elizabeth Chilton, President, University of New Hampshire, Ex-Officio
Caitlin D. Davis, Commissioner of Education, Ex-Officio
Ethan Dupuis
M. Jacqueline Eastwood
Brendan M. Finn ‘16G
James Gray ‘78, Designee for the President of the Senate, Ex-Officio
Patrick W. Griffin
George S. Hansel
Tim Hoheneder
Shawn N. Jasper ‘89, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Ex-Officio
Rick Ladd, Designee for the Speaker of the House, Ex-Officio
Brian McCabe ‘91
Mackenzie Murphy
Joel Nkounkou
Peter T. Paul ‘67
Jennifer Higgins Pitre ’95, ’05G
Catherine A. Provencher, Chancellor, University System of New Hampshire, Ex-Officio
Wayne Semprini
Gregg R. Tewksbury ‘87
Christiana Thornton
David A. Westover
To the University of New Hampshire Class of 2026
As the academic year comes to a close, we are honored to join in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the Class of 2026. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, please accept our warmest congratulations on reaching this important milestone.
Commencement represents more than the completion of a degree—it reflects years of dedication, resilience, curiosity, and growth. Each of you has navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and demonstrated a commitment to learning that will serve you well in the years ahead. Your achievements are a testament to your perseverance and to the strength of the communities that supported you along the way.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the families, friends, faculty, and staff who have played a vital role in this journey. Your guidance, encouragement, and belief in our graduates have helped make this moment possible. Today is a celebration not only of individual success, but of the collective effort that defines our institution.
As you move forward into the next chapter of your lives, we encourage you to carry with you the knowledge, values, and connections you have gained during your time here. Approach the future with confidence, purpose, and a willingness to lead and serve. Remember that you remain part of a community that is proud of you and committed to your continued success.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We wish you every success and fulfillment in the paths you choose to pursue.
Warm regards,
Michael J. Pilot
Chair, Board of Trustees
University System of New Hampshire
Ceremony Traditions
Academic Regalia
The tradition of academic regalia dates back to the Middle Ages. There has been some variation through the years, but today the American academic costume is governed by a generally accepted code.
Gown
The gowns vary somewhat in design depending upon the academic degree they represent. There are three standard gowns: the bachelor's, the master's, and the doctor's. The bachelor's and the master's gowns are untrimmed. The doctor's gown is faced with velvet down the front. Three velvet bars adorn each sleeve. In recognition of UNH’s 150th Celebration, the university debuted a new gown in 2016 based on the primary institutional color. The gown features the university seal. Gowns, hoods and caps of foreign universities usually are distinctive and do not comply with the American Academic Costume Code.
Caps
Caps are normally black. The tassel is worn on the right side until the bachelor's degree is conferred; then the tassel is worn on the left.
Hoods
Hoods are indicative of an advanced degree. The lining shows the color of the college or university granting the degree, and the trimming represents the field in which the degree is granted.
Some of the major areas are listed below:
Agriculture — Maize
Arts, Letters, Humanities — White
Business Administration — Light Brown
Education — Light Blue
Engineering — Orange
Forestry — Russet
Law — Purple
Library Science — Lemon
Music — Pink
Occupational Therapy – Slate Blue
Philosophy — Dark Blue
Public Health — Salmon Pink
Science — Golden Yellow
Theology — Scarlet
Academic Honors Embellishments
Stoles and Cords
Honors Stoles
Stoles are worn by University Honors Program Scholars, seniors distinguished for 32 credits of Honors work, including a 4–8 credit independent research project (senior thesis) and a cumulative grade-point average 3.5–3.84.
Gold and White Cords
Gold cords are worn by those graduating Summa Cum Laude, seniors graduating with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.85 or higher. White cords are worn by those graduating Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude, seniors graduating with a cumulative grade-point average between 3.5–3.84.
Military Honor Cords
Red, White and Blue Honor Cords are worn by graduating veterans in recognition of their service to our country.
University Mace
The university mace is commonly used at formal academic ceremonies to symbolize the authority universities have to grant degrees and maintain high educational standards. The University of New Hampshire mace, a 1983 gift of the Carolinas Club, is silver with a hammered texture. Its torch-like, tapered body features three silver seals including those of the state of New Hampshire, the town of Durham, and the University of New Hampshire, and is embellished with chips of granite.
Academic Medallion
The University of New Hampshire academic medallion is silver and features the university seal. It is worn by the president of the university as a symbol of office.
University Flag and College Banners
The principal banner for academic ritual is the university flag. This is always fixed and displayed on the platform. The college banners are carried in the processional by the class marshals. Traditionally, the class marshals are selected by the deans and directors of the colleges and schools on the basis of academic achievement and contributions to their class.
Alma Mater
New Hampshire, alma mater,
All hail, all hail to thee!
Behind thee tow'r the mountains,
Before thee roars the sea.
Thy sons and daughters ever
Thy praises loud will sing.
New Hampshire, alma mater,
Accept our offering.
We love thee, old New Hampshire,
And to the White and Blue,
Where'er our work shall call us,
We always will be true.
We'll ever guard thy honor,
Bright shall thy mem'ry be.
New Hampshire, alma mater,
All hail, all hail to thee!
H. F. Moore, Class of 1898
Program Musics
Pomp and Circumstance — Edward Elgar
The Star-Spangled Banner — Francis Scott Key
Alma Mater — H. F. Moore, Class of 1898
Procession of Nobles — Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov