BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University graduates of the Class of 2026 were honored in a Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 3, in the Shirk Center.
For the first time at Commencement, the immortal words of the late IWU president Minor Myers jr. were performed by the Illinois Wesleyan Collegiate Choir in a recently commissioned work, their musical rendition capping the ceremony with its recurring theme: "Go into the world and do well, but more importantly, do good."
Speakers shared words of inspiration with the approximately 338 graduating Titans and their assembled families, faculty and staff.
President Sheahon Zenger commended the talent demonstrated by the Class of 2026 throughout their areas of study, artistry and competition.
"With all of your talent and your well-earned education, you will no doubt do well in life," he said. "But that talent and that education will be meaningless if you don't continue to do good."
Quoting from the poet William Wordsworth, who noted that the best portion of a good person's life is "the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love," Zenger predicted this is how the graduates will make a difference in the world: "Success is in the little things."
Board of Trustees Chair Tim Szerlong '74 told the class that one of the most rewarding experiences for himself, and for any trustee, is to have a conversation with IWU students.
"Our students consistently convey a palpable energy and drive, an exuberance for learning, a heightened curiosity, and a contagious passion for doing well," Szerlong said. "I believe these attributes, and the positive energy ever present in these conversations, are a byproduct of your IWU education and will serve you well in whatever career and life pathway you choose."
Senior class speaker Chloe Shapkauski said, "IWU taught us that it’s okay to try before you’re ready. To speak up even when your voice shakes. To lead imperfectly. To care deeply even when it would be easier not to.
"As we leave this place, my hope is that we carry the people and ideas that Illinois Wesleyan gave us; not just in our résumés, but in how we show up. That we stay curious. That we choose kindness. That we build community wherever we land."
Faculty representative Tyler Schwend, Associate Professor of Biology, drew from the experience of recent graduates, who shared their earned wisdom: "There is no linear experience for life after college. All steps are steps in the right direction, and there is no deadline for you to find your place and to hit your stride."
Schwend told the graduates, "Go forth – find your own path – forget about some imaginary finish line or the idea of running yet another race. Instead, discover how you personally want to make an impact, learn life’s lessons at your own pace – hit your stride and then protect it, relying on friends, family, and your IWU home."
Before giving keynote remarks to the Class of 2026, retired healthcare executive and IWU Trustee Colleen Kannaday was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
Kannaday spoke about the power of resilience and positive self-talk in a speech titled, “Turning Detours Into Direction: Building A Resilient Life.”
She recalled that her father would correct her when she said "practice makes perfect," saying instead, "'Practice makes permanent.' How you practice is what becomes permanent.
"So think about what that self-talk is. What you say to yourself, make sure it's forward moving, it's action oriented, and it's providing you with direction.
"I challenge you: believe in yourself, practice resilience, practice positive self-talk," she said. "Continue to feed yourself all of the goodness, because you are well prepared to go out into the world, to do well, to do good, and to make amazing contributions."