Clarkson University Awards Degrees to Students at Spring 2026 Commencement

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Clarkson University awarded nearly 700 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to students from 34 states, 28 countries and 53 counties of New York state at its spring 2026 commencement, today, Saturday, May 9.

Nearly 300 additional students received degrees this past winter and summer.

The weekend was also marked by the commissioning of United States Army and United States Air Force officers on Friday.

Ying Zhang, an assistant professor of psychology, was awarded the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Research Award. The $1,500 research accounts are presented to "faculty members who have shown promise in engineering, business, liberal arts or scientific research."

Boris Jukic, a professor and director of applied data science, was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award. The $1,500 prize is given "in recognition of the importance of superior teaching." Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni and the final selection is made by a faculty committee.

Graduating senior Maeve Bartell of Potsdam, NY was awarded the Levinus Clarkson Award, and graduating senior Angela Tewksbury of Livonia, NY, received the Frederica Clarkson Award. Both are $1,000 prizes given to "a student who demonstrates the best combination of scholarship and promise of outstanding professional achievement."

In addition to the graduating students, honorary Doctor of Science degrees were awarded to Joseph A. Loo '82 and Zdeněk P. Bažant.

In his address to students at Clarkson University's commencement ceremony, Loo recalled his childhood growing up in Potsdam, and reminisced about many of the places that Clarkson's most recent graduates also experienced.

Loo said Clarkson provided him with a fundamental knowledge in science, creating a pathway to a lifelong pursuit of research. Speaking from experience, Loo left students with simple life advice as they chase what is next.

"I graduated with a degree from Clarkson. I was just like all of you, an ordinary Joe. Pun intended," Loo quipped.

"Appreciate the support and help from family and friends, and from your professors at Clarkson who helped you learn how to think," Loo said. "Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you."

"It's ok not to have a life plan."

"Trust your instincts and follow the winding path that reveals itself to you."

"Find a job that doesn't seem like a job, but more like something fun to do."