Class of 2026: Redefining the Future

During Lehigh University’s undergraduate Commencement on Sunday, May 17, former New York Stock Exchange President Stacey Cunningham encouraged graduates to think like investors—not only in finance, but in life.

Drawing from her experiences as a Lehigh industrial engineering student and her career in global finance, Cunningham shared lessons about curiosity, purposeful decision-making and resilience with graduates, families and guests at Lehigh's Murray H. Goodman Stadium.

The first woman to lead the New York Stock Exchange in its more than 200-year history, Cunningham built her career through adaptability, clear goals and a willingness to challenge expectations—qualities reflected throughout the Class of 2026. Amid global uncertainty and rapid change, many students applied their knowledge to challenges in healthcare, technology and climate change, demonstrating how their work can shape communities far beyond campus.

Cunningham’s own path was defined by reinvention. After beginning in civil engineering at Lehigh, she interned for a trading firm at the NYSE, later pivoted to industrial engineering, became a market maker, attended culinary school and eventually returned to lead the iconic institution. She said periods of uncertainty often create the greatest opportunities for growth.

“The more you contribute to your education, your career, your community, the more you earn,” Cunningham said. “If you aren’t occasionally failing, you aren’t trying hard enough.”

Shortly after Cunningham rejoined the NYSE in 2012, it was acquired by the Intercontinental Exchange, then a 12-year-old startup. She credited the company’s success to its willingness to challenge the status quo.

“Questions are one of the most valuable tools at your disposal,” Cunningham said. “I learned it is far more valuable to know the right questions than to know the right answers.”

She connected that mindset to the value of pursuing diverse experiences, building varied skill sets and learning from people with different perspectives—an idea that reflects Lehigh’s interdisciplinary approach to education.

Reflecting on her rise to president of the NYSE, Cunningham also acknowledged the pioneers who expanded opportunities for those who followed. She recalled that she may never have begun her career on the trading floor without Muriel Siebert, who became the first woman to own a seat on the Exchange in 1967.

“When she redrew the boundaries, she redefined the starting point for everyone who follows,” Cunningham said. “We stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us.”

For the Class of 2026, Cunningham’s message reflected both the legacy they inherited and the future they are now prepared to shape as Lehigh’s newest class of Future Makers. Her remarks echoed work many students have already begun through research, humanitarian engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration; efforts they will continue carrying into the next chapters of their lives and careers.

Of the 1,447 graduates who crossed the stage, 96 were recognized in the inaugural Future Makers Convocation for achievements in research, innovation and community impact. Nine were named Distinguished Future Makers for work in areas including global engagement, entrepreneurial excellence, research and design.

Celebrating the Future Maker Impact

President Joseph J. Helble ’82 opened the Commencement ceremony before introducing Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Nathan Urban, who greeted graduates and guests and encouraged conversations about the meaning behind students’ cords and stoles.

Urban then introduced undergraduate student speaker Marcella Francesca Rodio ’26, an English and psychology major, with a minor in women, gender and sexuality studies. Rodio served as a program assistant for the Gender, Leadership, and Empowerment Center, co-edited the center’s feminist magazine, presented on equity-related topics at the Summit for Greek Excellence and Innovation and held a leadership role within her Panhellenic sorority. She was also active in Break the Silence Peer Educators and the Eckardt Scholars Honors Program.

In recognition of her writing ability, Rodio received the Williams Prize from the department of English four times and was awarded this year’s Kachel Prize in fiction. Following graduation, she will attend Seton Hall University School of Law to pursue her Juris Doctorate.

Rodio noted that although the Class of 2026 is often referred to as the “Instant Generation,” they’ve endured four years of continuous change and created a lasting impact that will be left behind in turn.

“Over the last four years, we’ve watched Lehigh transform in real time, seen scaffolding rise and fall,” Rodio said, “construction give way to something new. We've been a part of a community that pushes towards new research frontiers, that engages with emerging technologies. An institution that, like us, is in a constant state of becoming.”

Helble: “Use your individual, genuine voice”

President Helble highlighted the importance of connection, especially in a time being actively shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

“Look around,” Helble said. “The very real, human connections you have forged with the people around you, your ability to be grounded, pragmatic, real and fully human, are what define you. They are what define Lehigh.”

Referencing the first issue of The Brown and White in 1894, Helble noted that fostering connection and community has been central to Lehigh since its founding. As graduates prepare to begin new chapters around the world, he said their ability “to work with a diverse-in-every-dimension group of people is what will separate [them] and distinguish [them].”

“I promise you, the more the world turns to AI as a tool, the more you use your individual, genuine voice, and your ability to navigate real, messy, human interactions with one another as part of a community, will set you apart,” Helble said.

The undergraduate Commencement followed Saturday’s graduate Commencement and doctoral hooding ceremony.

There were 1,447 undergraduates in the Class of 2026… 143 graduates received interdisciplinary bachelor’s degrees … Undergraduates majored in 74 different disciplines … The ceremony began with an invocation from Reverend Lloyd H. Steffen, university chaplain, and was followed by the national anthem, led by Alaina Thompson ’26 … Marcella Francesa Rodio ’26 delivered the undergraduate remarks … The ceremony officially concluded with the ringing of the bell by representatives of the classes of 1976 (Bruce “YoGi” Perry P’10) and 2026 (Christopher Haines) ... The benediction was offered by Rabbi Steven P. Nathan, endowed director of Jewish student life and associate chaplain … The alma mater was led by Rose Falletta ’26 … The Allentown Band delivered its 43rd consecutive performance at Lehigh’s Commencement ceremony. It is America's oldest civilian concert band, with its first documented performance on July 4, 1828.