“Mom, I Did It”: WUST Class of 2026 Celebrates a Milestone of Achievement and Hope

"Mom, I did it."
A young graduate had carefully written those four simple words across the flat top of her mortarboard. Like the other 289 students graduating from Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) in 2026, she wore a black academic gown and a cap adorned with a golden tassel. Yet her cap stood out.
I never learned her name. Within moments she disappeared into the crowd of celebrating graduates, family members, and friends. But the message remained etched in my mind throughout the day.
“Mom, I did it.”
Those words captured the essence of commencement more powerfully than any speech. For many students, especially international students, graduation is not only an academic milestone but also the fulfillment of a dream shared with parents and loved ones thousands of miles away. Some left their families in neighboring countries, others across oceans and continents. On the day they received their degrees, many wished their parents could be physically present, yet their hearts reached home with a simple message of gratitude and accomplishment.
For the Class of 2026, that message resonated deeply.
The commencement was held with 290 graduates crossing the stage. Of them, 183 graduated from the School of Information Technology (SIT) and 107 from the School of Business Administration.
Graduates arrived at the venue dressed in their ceremonial regalia, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation. Some had collected their gowns earlier and arrived fully dressed, while others prepared for the occasion on-site. The campus grounds quickly transformed into a celebration of achievement.
Students helped one another adjust caps and gowns, posed for countless photographs, and gathered around the photo booths. Everywhere, graduates were capturing memories with classmates, family members, faculty, and university leaders. Commencement banners, posters, and decorations provided colorful backdrops as students documented one of the most important days of their lives.
Throughout the festivities, WUST Chancellor and chairman Abubokor Hanip, President Dr. Hasan K. Burk, and CFO Farhana Hanip mingled with students, sharing in their excitement while dressed in traditional academic regalia.

A Grand Celebration in Fairfax

This year’s commencement ceremony was held at the spacious auditorium of Woodson High School Auditorium on June 13, 2026. By noon, graduates and guests had begun filling the venue.
At precisely 2:00 p.m., the formal ceremony commenced. University leaders, distinguished guests, and faculty members entered in a traditional academic procession and took their places on stage. The graduating students followed, filling the auditorium with a sea of black gowns and golden tassels.
School of Business graduates were seated on one side of the auditorium, while School of Information Technology graduates occupied the other. The remaining seats were filled with proud family members and guests whose applause echoed throughout the hall.
The ceremony opened with the national anthem, followed by the Chancellor’s commencement address.

Learning, Adapting, and Growing

“Congratulations, Class of 2026,” Chancellor and chairman Abubokor Hanip began.
In his address, he emphasized resilience, lifelong learning, and adaptability in an era of rapid technological transformation.
“Today is more than a graduation ceremony,” he told graduates. “It is a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the possibilities that await each of you. You are celebrating years of dedication, sacrifice, and determination.
Addressing the impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, he acknowledged that change could appear daunting. However, he encouraged graduates to view disruption as opportunity.
“The future will not belong to those who fear change,” he said. “The future will belong to those who learn, adapt, and grow.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Hanip described how continuous learning shaped his professional success.
“Had I stopped learning, I would have stopped growing,” he said. “Instead, I continued learning, adapting, and evolving. That commitment opened doors I could never have imagined.”
He encouraged graduates to remain connected with WUST and highlighted opportunities available through the university’s WISE Accelerator, which supports innovation, entrepreneurship, mentorship, networking, and startup development.
“Do not think of WUST as a place you attended,” he said. “Think of WUST as your lifelong platform. WUST will always be your home.”

A Message of Resilience, Purpose, and Humanity

The keynote address was delivered by internationally recognized scholar Dr. Khalid H. Arar, Professor of Educational Leadership at Texas State University. Speaking on the theme
“Looking Back, Looking Forward,” Dr. Arar reminded graduates that commencement marks a unique moment in life- a bridge between past achievements and future possibilities.
“Your stories are different, but your resilience is shared,” he told the graduates.
Drawing upon his own journey as a fourth generation displaced Palestinian, Dr. Arar reflected on the challenges and obstacles he encountered throughout his life. What could have discouraged him instead became a source of determination and motivation. Those experiences, he said, taught him the importance of perseverance, self-discovery, and the power of education to transform lives.
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, Dr. Arar urged graduates not to lose sight of the qualities that make us human.
“AI may process information and generate answers,” he said, “but only human beings can discover meaning, connect with purpose, and ask who they are and what they stand for.”
While technology continues to evolve, he emphasized that curiosity, integrity, adaptability, empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration remain timeless attributes that no machine can replace.
“The best education teaches both minds and hearts,” he noted. “The world needs more compassionate innovators, courageous leaders, and human-centered professionals.”
Throughout his address, Dr. Arar offered practical wisdom for the graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. He encouraged them to remain humble, reminding them that no accomplishment is achieved alone. He stressed the importance of investing in relationships, noting that people often remember how they were treated long after they forget specific words or achievements.
He also encouraged graduates to view adversity as an opportunity for growth rather than an obstacle. Difficulties, he said, often prepare individuals for responsibilities and opportunities they cannot yet foresee.
“Never stop learning,” he urged. “Graduation is not the end of education; it is the beginning of self-directed learning.”
Before concluding, Dr. Arar left the Class of 2026 with three guiding principles: know yourself, recognize your strengths and assets, and create opportunities not only for yourself but also for others.
He challenged graduates to redefine success beyond personal achievement.
“Measure success not only by what you achieve,” he said, “but by what you enable others to achieve.”
Reminding students of the broader purpose of higher education, he emphasized that a university degree carries both privilege and responsibility.
“Your degree is not merely a credential,” he said. “It is a responsibility- to lead, innovate, serve, and build bridges.”
As he closed his address, Dr. Arar offered words of encouragement that resonated throughout the auditorium.
“Your journey has prepared you. Your experiences have shaped you. Your challenges have strengthened you. Your education has empowered you. And your future is waiting for you.”
Congratulating the graduates, he urged them to lead with wisdom, serve with humility, innovate with courage, and remember that the greatest measure of success is not simply building a career, but building a life defined by purpose, impact, and humanity.

Voices of Inspiration

Several distinguished speakers and graduates shared reflections on leadership, perseverance, and service.
In a video message, Farhana Hanip, CFO of WUST, congratulated graduates on their accomplishments and encouraged them to continue developing their skills and professional networks.
“I know you are leaving us today,” she said, “but you will always remain in our hearts.”
She also encouraged graduates to stay connected with the WISE team and take advantage of future opportunities through the WUST community.
Virginia State Senator Saddam Aslan Selim encouraged graduates to recognize the value of perseverance.
“Perseverance is something no one can take away from you,” he said. “This degree represents your discipline, your growth, and your commitment to building a better future.”
Eminent entrepreneur and former vice president of JP Morgan Mr. Rafik Hawladar spoke about the human side of technological advancement.
“Technology changes tools, but human beings change the world,” he said.
While acknowledging the power of artificial intelligence, he reminded graduates that qualities such as courage, integrity, compassion, wisdom, hope, and trust remain uniquely human.
“Embrace innovation, but keep your humanity,” he urged.

Student Voices

The ceremony also featured inspiring remarks from student representatives whose journeys reflected the diverse experiences of the graduating class.
MSIT Graduate Valedictorian Rithin Sain Manapati, who has accepted a software engineering position with Google, reflected on the challenges that shaped his academic journey.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the foundation I built at Washington University of Science and Technology,” he said.
MBA graduate Bilgen Ataley shared how the university prepared her for professional success as a project manager in the corporate world.
“The greatest asset I gained was a mindset for managing teams and navigating goals,” she said.
She described graduation as the completion of one important project and the beginning of another.
BSIT graduate Tania Rahni reminded fellow graduates that the future now belongs to them.
“Our degree is not the destination,” she said. “It is the beginning.”
BSBA graduate Maha Sajid spoke of entering the future with excitement rather than fear.
“My degree gave me much more than academic knowledge,” she said. “It gave me experiences, lessons, and helped me grow into a person ready for the industry.”

The Turning of the Tassels

As the ceremony neared its conclusion, President Dr. Hasan K. Burk officially conferred the degrees upon the graduating class of 2026.
In one of commencement’s most cherished traditions, graduates simultaneously moved their tassels from one side of their caps to the other, symbolizing their transition from students to alumni.
Moments later, hundreds of caps soared into the air as cheers erupted throughout the auditorium.
The Class of 2026 had officially graduated.
As the celebration continued with photographs, embraces, and farewells, my thoughts returned once more to that simple message written on a mortarboard earlier in the day:
"Mom, I did it."
Four words.
A lifetime of sacrifice.
And the beginning of a new journey.

Prof. Mahmood Menon Khan
Assistant Professor and Coordinator, CS/IT Labs

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wust.edu