Rain on the day of a special occasion is often seen as a sign of future abundance, prosperity, and joy. Bryant University’s 2026 Graduate Commencement, held on May 14, was awash in all four.
In a stroke of good fortune, however, the clouds parted just in time for the graduation procession through Bryant’s Archway to the tented ceremony. There, professors, family, and friends rained praise and congratulations on the 277 students receiving advanced degrees from Bryant’s array of graduate programs, including Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business Analytics, Data Science, Data Science and AI, Taxation, Healthcare Informatics, and Health Informatics and AI.
“In a world marked by rapid change, significant uncertainty, and technological transformations, you chose to advance your education and have exhibited the determination, sense of purpose, and achievement to be successful in an environment that presents opportunity and also significant challenges,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D., in his opening remarks.
The Graduate Class of 2026 included students from 24 states and 12 countries, a mix of those continuing their education directly after earning their undergraduate degree — among them some of the class's 124 double Bulldogs — and mid-career professionals returning to school to advance their expertise.
Resilience key to becoming the 'best in the world'
Delivering the Commencement address, Frank Hauck ’81, P’08, former president and general manager of banking at NCR Corporation and a member of Bryant’s Board of Trustees, reminded graduates that success is not linear.
“Each one of us goes through times of great accomplishment and tremendous achievement. We also experience various setbacks and challenges along the way,” he said. “The most successful people I've met developed the level of resilience which allowed them to take a hit, dust themselves off, and get right back on their feet.”
Hauck, a key Bryant advocate who regularly returns to campus to help prepare new generations of Bryant students for success, advised the graduates to be confident in their abilities and related the story of a movie industry friend who was challenged by Apple Inc. Co-founder Steve Jobs in a job interview. Jobs had asked, “Are you the best in the world at what you do?” and Hauck’s friend replied, “Well, Steve, it looks like we're going to find out.”
His friend proceeded to get the job and an office next to the CEO.
“Now, as you embark on your career with your well-earned graduate degree, I have one final question: Can you become the best in the world at what you do?" Hauck asked.
“Now, as you embark on your career with your well-earned graduate degree, I have one final question: Can you become the best in the world at what you do?"
Hugs, tears, and pride
Following the hooding and diploma ceremony, newly minted grads gathered with family and friends to exchange hugs and take pictures around campus. Lauren White of Bellingham, Massachusetts, brought along her two-year-old son, Christopher Jr., to celebrate his engineer father, Christopher White '26MBA, receiving his degree.
“He's a very hard worker, and I'm so proud of him and all he's accomplished and all he does for our family,” she said.
Jason Metters ’25, ’26MBA, who pursued the university’s 3+1 Accelerated Fourth Year MBA program and celebrated his achievement with friends, noted that it was a fantastic day to be a double Bulldog.
"I signed up for the 3+1 program before my first year, and it definitely paid off and was a super easy transition,” said Metters.
Joy and a bittersweet sense of accomplishment were competing emotions for Rosalie Perez ’26MBA, who was joined by family from Massachusetts and Puerto Rico to celebrate her graduation from Bryant’s Online MBA program, one of a record 109 graduates enrolled in Bryant’s online programs.
Absent, however, was her husband, Hector, who died last year.
“I started my MBA and then paused when my husband passed away,” the Easton, Massachusetts, resident and financial operations manager at Banson Pharmaceuticals explained. “I decided I had to continue in his memory, and for my kids as well as my family.”
“I started my MBA and then paused when my husband passed away. I decided I had to continue in his memory, and for my kids as well as my family.”
The Bryant Online MBA program was “awesome,” she added, and provided the setup she needed to be successful.
“The flexibility, the rigorousness of the curriculum, and the structure was amazing,” she said. “Going through what I did last year with my husband, I didn't think I was going to be able to finish. But they made it possible for me, even with the bumps I had on my road, to be able to complete my journey and be here today.”
Hector’s presence and support were felt on this special day, as well, said Perez.
“I promised him that I would finish my degree, and I'm just happy that I was able to do that,” she said.