2026 Investiture

Program of Events

Processional

Faculty Marshal
Yan Li, Associate Professor of Engineering

Student Marshals (see article)
Noemi Mesropian, BE candidate
Mitchell Ellis Beallor, MEM candidate
Emily Jo Marciniak, MEng candidate
Simon Andrew Agnew, PhD candidate

Welcoming Remarks
Douglas Van Citters '99 Th'03 Th'06, Incoming Dean
Santiago Schnell, Provost

Student Address (see transcripts)
Naisha Sinha, MEng candidate
Piper Michell Gilbert, BE candidate

Presentation of Awards

Student Awards: (award descriptions)

• George A. Colligan Memorial Prize: Jeanarlos Llerena
• Faculty Award for Academic Excellence: Paul Jakob Griffiths
• Dartmouth Society of Engineers Prize: Alexander A. Zhelyazkov, Elijah Butler, Victory Simbarashe Kumbula, Nathan Charles Tamkin, Rory M. F. McDowell, Jacob Ramsey Markus, and Calista Li Adler
• Charles F. and Ruth D. Goodrich Prize: Jonathan Pelusi
• Caroline Henderson Prize: Chloé Hamilton Gilbert
• Master of Engineering Award: Felix Windt
• Corporate Collaboration Council Engineering Management Prize: Sarthak Sagar Bhadkamkar
• John C. Woodhouse Engineering Design Prize: Calvin Michael Benson, Andrew Smith Brancato, Ophelia Lorijn, Emmanuel Oluwamuayomikun Olasoju, Henry A. Poret, and Yuxing (Kelly) Shen
• John C. Woodhouse Environmental Engineering Prize: Jonathan Sumaili, Alda Zeneli, Paul Jakob Griffiths, and Liam Patrick Cassidy
• Brieanna S. Weinstein Engineering Design Prize: Juan Pablo Pajes Escobar, Calum Langmuir, Gage Pearson Grimes, and Mathias Wahl
• John W. Strohbehn, PhD, Memorial Prize: Roman Vasyltsiv
• Dartmouth Engineering Prize for Graduate Research Excellence: Huilin Qing
• Don Stayner Th'16 Changemaker Award: Ahrav Jain, Daniel Kekeli Gakpetor, Caroline Mae Moore, and Victor M. Lun Pun
• Dean's Service Award: Piper Michell Gilbert

Faculty, Staff, and Community Awards: (award descriptions)

• Outstanding Service Award for Staff: Tricia Spellman
• Outstanding Service Award for Faculty: Professor Margie Ackerman
• Community Impact Award: Jentry Campbell
• Distinguished Research Award for Faculty: Professor Fridon Shubitidze
• Woodhouse Excellence in Teaching Award: Professor Héléne Seroussi

Presentation of Robert Fletcher Award

Named in honor of Thayer's first dean and professor, the Robert Fletcher Award recognizes distinguished achievement and service in the highest tradition of the School.

Keynote Address

2026 Robert Fletcher Award recipient Maria Klawe, Math for America president and former president of Harvey Mudd College. (see transcript)

Conferring of Hoods

Academic deans and program directors confer hoods to BE, MEng, MEM, and MS candidates. Faculty advisors in attendance confer hoods to their respective PhD candidates.

Closing Remarks

Douglas Van Citters '99 Th'03 Th'06

Recessional

Graduates and faculty recess and gather for a class photo on the bleachers on the Green.

Class Photo & Reception

Graduates to take class photos on the Green, immediately following ceremony. Guests are invited to a reception with light refreshments in the West End.

Thayer Photos and Video

• Photos are available for free download from Thayer's Flickr site. 
• The livestream is available on our YouTube channel.

GradImages Photos for Purchase

GradImages takes individual photos of every graduate who walks across the stage at Investiture. Visit the GradImages website to view and purchase custom prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more after the ceremony. Please contact GradImages's customer services department directly at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net or call +1 (800) 261-2576 with any questions or concerns about your photos.