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T h e I n d e p e n d e n t S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f B r a n d e is U n i v e r sit y S i n c e 1 9 4 9 Volume LXXVIII, Number 19

Monday, May 18, 2026

Waltham, Mass.

UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENT SPEAKER: Khimaya Bagla '26 speaks to the class of 2026.

GRADUATE

SKYE ENTWOOD/The Justice.

SPEECH: Isabel Wilkerson delivers keynote address at Brandeis' 75th commencement.

Brandeis University Class of 2026 Undergraduate Commencement

University honors graduate students in 2026 commencement ceremony

 The graduating class of 2026 receive

 The ceremony included speeches

their Bachelors degree after remarks from President Levine ’70, Sheryl Sandberg H’26 and Khimaya Bagla ’26. By NAWAL IRFANI & ASHHWIKA SONI

JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF AND NEWS EDITOR

On Sunday, May 17, Brandeis kicked off their 75th undergraduate commencement ceremony in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, broadcasted live via Zoom for those who were unable to join in-person. The warm weather and cloudless sky were the perfect backdrop for the many families and friends that came to celebrate the class of 2026. Students wore decorated caps and chords or stoles that honored their extracurricular and academic achievements. This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient Sheryl Sandberg and a student address from Khimaya Bagla ’26. Prof. Jennifer Cleary (THA) served as the announcer and introduced the procession, which included Grand Marshal John Burt, Marshals of the Faculty Carol Fierke PhD ’84 and Jeffrey Lenowitz, Marshals of the Class of 2026 Alyssa Golden ’26 and Zaire Simmonds ’26, the President’s Councilors and Fellows of the University, the Board of Trustees and the Honorary Degree recipients. Rabbi Seth Winberg, the Senior Jewish Chaplain and Executive Director of Brandeis Hillel, gave the invocation. He asked graduates to turn around in their seats and wave to loved ones that have played an important role in their journey as students and adults. Making reference to the Torah and Jewish tradition, Rabbi Winberg recognized the impact that faculty, mentors and advisors likewise have on students. He spoke about the responsibility students have after graduation as they “spend the rest of [their] life opening worlds for others as teachers, colleagues, friends, citizens and within the families [they themselves] will build.” He ended his speech with an emphasis on the importance of community, saying “you did not get here alone. You will not go forward alone.” Madyson Rose Buchanan ’26 stepped forward to sing the national anthem. Afterwards, Prof. Cleary returned briefly to recognize Media Technology Services Director Tim O’Neill’s retirement after 20 years and his leadership in planning and executing the University’s commencement ceremonies, as well as the faculty and staff members who were given special awards for excellence in teaching, mentoring and service.

To offer greetings and remarks, Chair of the Board of Trustees Lisa Kranc ’75 was next to speak. After congratulating the graduates, she spoke about Brandeis’ history as “an experiment” and “the Jewish community’s proud gift to America’s higher education landscape,” emphasizing Brandeis’ commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds. Kranc also spoke about the importance of this year’s commencement as the 75th, and recognized the class of 1976 who celebrated their 50th reunion and were present at the ceremony. Kranc quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the first members of Brandeis’ Board of Trustees and the keynote speaker for the class of 1950’s commencement ceremony, who implored graduates to have courage: “It is often easier to accept the offer of security than to adventure. People who achieve things are rarely secure. Adventure is always much more interesting.” Kranc ended her speech by asking students to “be the change that counts.” President Levine took the podium to give remarks, asking the audience to give the graduates a round of applause. He thanked Karen Sachs ’83, a trustee, along with David Sachs for their generous donation to Brandeis to enhance student life. He also thanked Supreme Court Justice Louisa Brandeis Popkin, Louis D. Brandeis’ granddaughter, for being present at the commencement ceremony. President Levine emphasized how the world is changing; the one our parents and professors knew is fading away and a new one is emerging. Among the skills, knowledge and values that students have learned over the course of their college career, hope, he said, is important to keep in our lives. He advised students to hold onto three blessings. First, to carry with them “the hope necessary to live everyday of [their] life and to hold onto [their] dreams.” His second blessing was responsibility — the responsibility to do right by others when you are in a position of privilege. “I wish you the ability to look in the mirror everyday, for the rest of your lives, and be proud of what you see,” President Levine said. His final blessing was efficacy, and he wished students to feel empowered to make a difference, “tomorrow is going to require leaders and followers who care deeply about our shared agenda together.” He reminded students, “you can make a difference.” Members of the Board of Trustees presented the honorary degrees to this year's recipients, including Meyer Koplow ’72, P’02, P’05 accompanied by Marshal Lisa Lynch H’17; Jeannette McCarthy accompanied by Marshal Sally Warner; Larry Kanarek ’76 accompanied by Marshal Aldo Musac-

By CHAVA THIELL

JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR

See UNDERGRADUATE, 5☛

Club Status

 A conversation with Upward Bound Director Mariama Darboe on college access and firstgeneration students. By ALYSSA WU Photo: Courtsey of UPWARD BOUND.

from President Arthur Levine ’70, esteemed author and journalist Isabel Wilkerson and Jin Zhao ’26.

FEATURES 6 For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org

COLE HAMNER/The Justice.

On Sunday, May 17 Brandeis held its graduate commencement ceremony, honoring students receiving their Masters degree, PhD and degree in leadership programs. The ceremony began at 3 p.m. and was moderated by Prof. Charles Golden (ANTH), Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs. Golden introduced Prof. Steven Cecchetti (FIN) as the ceremony’s Grand Marshal, after which Marshals of the Faculty processed. Golden then introduced the procession of the graduate class of 2026. Finally, Golden introduced the ceremony’s honored guests, the president’s party, speakers and the Board of Trustees. Aaron Spevack, the University’s Muslim chaplain, led the ceremonial invocation. During his remarks, Spevack spoke about the pursuit of wisdom and quoted several sacred texts, including the Quran and the Book of Gospels. After Spevack’s invocation, Golden introduced Madyson Rose Buchanan ’26 to sing the national anthem. Golden then transitioned to faculty and staff recognitions, including retiring professors as well as recipients of this year’s teaching awards. He then introduced Lisa Kranc ’75, Chair of the Board of Trustees to deliver remarks. Kranc recognized the graduating class, as well as their families and friends. Kranc acknowledged some of the adversity the graduating class had to overcome, as they entered Brandeis shortly after the pandemic. She congratulated the group for their exceptional accomplishments and shared that she hoped each graduate found a “personal mission to pursue for the rest of your life.” She also recognized Brandeis’ landmark 75th commencement ceremony and spoke about the University’s founding by the American Jewish community, as well as the school’s longstanding commitment to Jewish values. After Kranc spoke, Golden introduced President Arthur Levine ’70. President Levine described earning a graduate degree as “a team activity” and urged each graduate to thank their network of family, friends and loved ones

for their support. He acknowledged that while the moment may be “bittersweet” for some, “this is not a solemn occasion” and implored attendees to cheer and clap for their graduates. President Levine also imparted three blessings upon graduates. He first spoke about the importance of hope and “hold[ing] tight to your dreams” despite adversity. President Levine then touched on the importance of responsibility as scholars and academics, which transitioned into his final wish of efficacy. He shared that he holds great confidence in the group of graduates and wishes to see them all succeed as leaders in both their respective fields and in the world. President Levine then spoke about Isabel Wilkerson, the keynote speaker, as someone who “embodies efficacy.” Levine concluded by wishing congratulations and success to the class of 2026. The ceremony continued with the presentation of honorary degrees. The first degree was presented to L. Rafael Reif, accompanied by Marshal Ben Rogers, in recognition of his work in higher education as the former president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as his celebrated work as an electrical engineer; he was recognized with an honorary Doctorate of Engineering. The second degree was presented to Shai Reshef, accompanied by Marshal Ziva Hassenfeld, for his commitment to inclusion and equity as founder of the University of the People, a tuition-free online university which seeks to make education affordable and accessible. Reshef was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters. Finally, the third honorary degree was presented to Isabel Wilkerson, accompanied by Marshal Faith Smith, for her accomplished journalism at the New York Times as well as her achievements as the author of several bestselling nonfiction books. In 1994, Wilkerson became the first Black woman to receive a Pulitzer Prize in journalism. Wilkerson was recognized as a Doctor of Humane Letters. Wilkerson then delivered her commencement address, and began by wishing congratulations to the graduates and their friends, family and loved ones. She spoke about the resilience and accomplishments of the African-American community, specifically during the the Great Migration in the 1920s. Wilkerson described the challenges in “existential crossroads we now face,” specifically as it pertained to racism and social justice in American society. She spoke about the current political and social cli-

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Student Research

FAB's final protest of the year

Sophia Garcia '29 recounts the undergraduate research symposium and conducts an interview with a student presenter.

By CHAVA THIELL

By SOPHIA GARCIA

What is competitive rock climbing By SKYE ENTWOOD SPORTS 10

ARTS AND CULTURE 14

Make your voice heard! Submit letters to the editor to forum@thejustice.org

NEWS 3

AI in art is stupid By ARIEL KNUDSEN

FORUM 9