College of the Holy Cross awarded 803 bachelor of arts degrees Friday during the college’s 180th commencement ceremony at the DCU Center, where former Massachusetts Gov. and current NCAA president Charlie Baker encouraged graduates to embrace resilience and personal growth as they move into the next stage of their lives.
Baker, who now serves as president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2026 and also received an honorary degree during the ceremony.
In remarks released by the college, Baker urged graduates to focus less on rigid plans and more on the experiences and values that shape them over time.
“Life is a journey, not a destination,” Baker said in the college’s announcement. “The goal is to take the paths that give you the best chance to grow, find meaning in what you do, and become the very best version of yourself. These are the paths that embrace perseverance, build character and define purpose.”
Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau also challenged graduates to lead with empathy and engagement during a period marked by political division and online misinformation.
“I see you choosing to engage in person, not just online. I see you discerning truths from fakes. I see you rejecting cynicism and stepping into the power of empathy,” Rougeau said in the college’s announcement.
Valedictorian Peter Stamoulis, a classics major from Worcester, reflected on the bonds students formed during their time at Holy Cross and the influence both the college and city will continue to have on graduates long after commencement.
“Wherever we go, we will carry this place with us,” Stamoulis said in the announcement. “We will carry the lessons of this college and this city, the friendships that shaped us, and the Jesuit mission that now calls us forward.”
According to the college, Stamoulis plans to pursue a Fulbright scholarship in Cyprus following graduation.
Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Tim Garvin, president and CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts.
Founded in 1843, Holy Cross is a Jesuit liberal arts college with approximately 3,200 undergraduate students.
