William & Mary celebrates Class of 2026 on the national stage

W&M Life

Members of the Class of 2026 start the traditional walk across campus at the Wren Building on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

Being a civic leader requires active participation in the democratic process, Francis Fukuyama told William & Mary's Class of 2026 on Friday.

"It is critical for you who are graduating today to understand the great opportunity that you have to exercise that leadership in future years," he said.

A political scientist and author, Fukuyama spoke to the university's graduates in Zable Stadium as part of the culmination of an exciting day in Williamsburg that brought the Alma Mater of the Nation to the national stage. On Friday morning, about 75 graduating students participated in the third hour of NBC's "TODAY," which filmed in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. Along with celebrating William & Mary's graduates, the day's events acknowledged both the nation's 250th anniversary and the university's Year of Civic Leadership.

In addition to speaking at Commencement, Fukuyama received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, along with journalist Frank Shatz HON '15, who has written thousands of articles throughout his life, plus a book about his experience as a Holocaust survivor. As a columnist with the Virginia Gazette, Shatz has chronicled life in Williamsburg for decades, and his influence was key to the establishment of the Reves Center for International Studies.

"What is happening to me, it can only happen in America," he said. "It is a blessed country."

Quoting the lyrics of "Our Alma Mater," President Katherine A. Rowe said that the ability to use one's voice "in a way that is strong and true and clear" is a "skill of freedom - a skill that the Alma Mater the Nation has cultivated for centuries."

"Graduates, you are joining a powerful and inspiring legacy," said Rowe in her remarks. "We know you are well-prepared. Because of that, we have real confidence in your ability to lead our country forward."

Francis Fukuyama tells the Class of 2026 that they must take an active role in the democratic process. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) Frank Shatz receives an honorary degree. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) President Katherine A. Rowe welcomes the graduates to Commencement. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

Embracing civic leadership

Currently the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and a faculty member for the institute's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, Fukuyama is best known for his book "The End of History and the Last Man."

Speaking to W&M's Class of 2026, he reflected on the history of the university's two namesakes and the Glorious Revolution, which was - at its heart - a crisis over constitutional authority, Fukuyama said.

"The Parliamentary side in the Glorious Revolution rallied under the banners of two principles: 'no taxation without representation' and, more broadly, legitimate government coming from 'consent of the governed,'" he said. "William and Mary ascended to the throne with the understanding that, hereafter, English monarchs could no longer operate with absolute authority, but needed to get the consent of Parliament first."

Philosopher John Locke wrote about these principles in his "Second Treatise of Government," which Thomas Jefferson studied while at William & Mary. He later incorporated those principles into the Declaration of Independence, which is being celebrated during the nation's semiquincentennial.

Today, liberal democracies - those that get their authority from the consent of the governed but are limited by the rule of law - are "in retreat," Fukuyama said.

"Civic leadership requires active participation in the democratic process," he said. "You need to pay attention to public affairs and to understand that you personally have a responsibility to improve the common life of our country."

Members of the Class of 2026 participate in the candlelight ceremony on Thursday evening. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas) Members of the Class of 2026 participate in the candlelight ceremony on Thursday evening. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) Graduates stream into the Wren Building to start the traditional walk across campus to Commencement. (Photo by Katie Warner) Graduates walk across the Crim Dell on their way to the Commencement ceremony. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)

Chancellor Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98 echoed that sentiment in his remarks, noting that W&M graduates have a responsibility to defend democracy and continue perfecting it.

"Noting the extraordinary manner in which the Class of 2026 has managed to adapt to changes here and abroad, I have no doubt you are up to this challenge," he said.

Earlier in the week, William & Mary and the Robert M. Gates Global Policy Center announced the establishment of the Robert M. Gates Initiative in American Statecraft.

"William & Mary is the natural home for such an initiative," Gates. "The university has always played an important role in shaping our nation's future."

The university's legacy of service is its oldest and greatest tradition, Gates said.

"That shared legacy is what makes this home so special for all of us, so worth cherishing for a lifetime," he said. "As you graduate today, know that you, too, are both challenged and destined to make a difference."

On the national stage

In what has become a Commencement tradition, CBS News' "Face the Nation" interviewed Gates on Friday morning. Gates has done a Commencement weekend interview with the Sunday morning news show nearly every year since 2012.

Earlier in the day, the third hour of NBC's "TODAY" aired live from Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. William & Mary alumnus Patton Oswalt '91, D.A. '23 joined Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer in hosting the show, drawing from his experience as a student to show off highlights of the area.

"This brings back a lot of memories," said Oswalt, noting that he started his comedy career while at William & Mary.

Patton Oswalt '91, D.A. '23 takes a photo with graduates who attended the filming "TODAY." (Photo by Katie Warner) Graduates pose for a photo while holding a cap with the "TODAY" logo on it. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) Chancellor Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98 talked with "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan outside of the Wren Building. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

William & Mary graduates in their caps and gowns joined the crowd, along with Rowe and the Griffin mascot, Reveley. Three William & Mary graduates also faced off with the hosts in a history trivia competition.

Several of the show's hosts wished the graduates well, and former Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin '95, L.H.D. '08, now an analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America," even shared prerecorded greetings.

"I wanted to take this time to extend a hearty congratulations to the William & Mary Class of 2026," he said. "Go, Tribe!"

Awards and honors

During the main Commencement ceremony on Friday night, multiple members of the campus community were honored, including recipients of this year's Duke Award and Values in Action Awards. Corinne Boyd '26 offered student reflections on Commencement.

Members of the Class of 2026 throw their caps in the air at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony. (Photo by Alfred Herczeg) Two graduates cheer as they are recognized during Commencement. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) Members of the Class of 2026 celebrate together. (Photo by Alfred Herczeg)

In addition, the university's annual Commencement awards were presented:

• The Lord Botetourt Medal to Alexander Holland '26
• James Frederic Carr Memorial Cup to Allison Robinson-Wilson '26
• Thatcher Prize for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Study to Yi-Yun "Minnie" Tsai Ph.D. '26
• Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards: Grace Bellamy '26, Peerawut Ruangsawasdi '26 and Rev. Jeffrey Buffkin P '17, P '19,
• Thomas Ashley Graves Jr. Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching to Adam Potkay, William R. Kenan Professor of Humanities
  

This year's graduating class also included the university's oldest-known graduate, 76-year-old Kathy Fisher Michaels '26. Michaels went to Longwood University for a year. A fateful 2018 meeting with a life coach led her back to school - first to Virginia Peninsula Community College and finally to William & Mary where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies. The Virginia Gazette recently wrote about her journey.

"I think my daddy would be really proud of me because he only had an eighth grade education," she said. "I'm pretty proud of myself!"

Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News

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