Cornell University’s Class of 2026 crossed the commencement stage Friday under steady rain and umbrellas, but university leaders used the moment to deliver a broader message about democracy, civic responsibility and the role graduates will play as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
President Michael Kotlikoff told more than 8,000 graduates gathered at Schoellkopf Field that democracy remains “unfinished work” and said the next generation will be responsible for strengthening institutions, encouraging civil debate and building a better future. The ceremonies marked Cornell’s 158th graduating class.
“Nothing dampens the spirit of the mighty Class of 2026,” University Marshal Kathryn Boor told graduates as students processed into the stadium wearing ponchos, waving banners and posing for photos despite the rainy conditions.
Kotlikoff tied the university’s history to the broader American experiment, noting Cornell was founded in 1865 while the nation was recovering from the Civil War. He said Cornell’s founders envisioned a university that would not only educate students, but also help advance democratic ideals and improve society.
“Today we graduate our 158th graduating class with the most ambitious of goals and the most democratic of aspirations: to build a country and a world that is better for everyone who lives in it,” Kotlikoff said.
The university president also emphasized the importance of open discussion and intellectual disagreement, telling graduates one of the most valuable lessons universities can teach is how “to do the hard work of disagreeing successfully.”
Kotlikoff warned that some of the values universities promote — including intellectual freedom, truth and open inquiry — are increasingly under pressure in public life. He said graduates leave Cornell during a period of rapid change and political tension, making those principles even more important.
Provost Kavita Bala encouraged students to embrace uncertainty and remain adaptable as technology and society continue evolving. She told graduates many may eventually work in careers or industries that do not yet exist.
The ceremony closed with Kotlikoff quoting Cornell alumnus and author E.B. White’s reflections on democracy before adding his own message to the graduating class.
“Democracy,” he said, “is the unfinished work that awaits.”
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