Spring semester concluded at Carver-Hawkeye Arena where hundreds of freshly minted graduates turned their tassels. Ann McKenna, Dick and Judy Smith Dean of the College of Engineering, reminded our newest alumni of the legacy they will carry forward. "You carry a responsibility to apply your skills, knowledge, and insight to the complex challenges facing the world today," McKenna said.
Keegan Fogarty (pictured above center), who earned a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, offered words of inspiration as the student speaker. Fogarty, who already has two start-ups under his belt, spoke of the likelihood of stumbles ahead and the importance of getting back up. "Don't be afraid to innovate," the Princeton, Illinois native said. "Innovation is a key part of being an engineer. At our core, we are problem solvers, and as we move into the future with new technology, there will be new problems to solve. We are the ones who will find those new solutions."
As our graduates head off in different directions, including some who will return to the college to pursue an advanced degree, we couldn't be more proud of our spring class of 2026 and wish them the best.
