Members of the Class of 2026:
We congregate to celebrate our Commencement Eve Torchlight Ceremony, an academic tradition second only to Commencement in its age and symbolism. Here tonight, I hope you take a moment to reflect on this milestone and think about the generations of graduates who came before you and what they were able to accomplish — what possibilities were ignited here and what possibilities were realized when they left the shores of this beautiful campus. I hope you also find a moment tonight to envision what the future looks like for you and how your story will fit into the narrative of this historic institution.
Tonight, we officially welcome you into the company of the more than 96,000 Oswego alumni who are contributing to their communities around the world in a variety of ways. Some of them are here tonight to represent their graduating class and to greet you as new members of the alumni community. You will add a fresh spark to this community, and their strength and success will fan the flame of your passions and ambitions. They are a resource for you, and they are eager to open doors for you and to help you succeed. Seek them out, connect with them and be inspired by them.
English author and poet Samuel Johnson said, "Knowledge always desires increase; it is like a fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but which will afterwards propagate itself."
Joining you at the ceremony tonight are a group of people who helped ignite your desire for learning by sharing their own passions with you — your faculty and staff. They taught you theories and skills, they provided you with hands-on learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom, they mentored you and they helped you understand how to learn. And as you learned, they too were expanding their knowledge and depth in their disciplines — for at Oswego, we are a community of learners, striving together to advance human understanding while preparing students for rich, fulfilling lives as productive and responsible citizens of our nation and the world.
As we pass the flame of the Torch of Learning tonight, remember your role in keeping the flame burning ever brighter. Learning never ends. Let your curiosity and drive for better understanding fuel your career and your life. Unleash your creativity and hard work in the service of humanity. Turn your thoughts to the pressing challenges of our time and the problems that plague our society. Be the spark that motivates others, the person who turns good ideas into action.
We are proud of you for all you have achieved here, and we expect you will accomplish even more in the long careers that lie ahead. On behalf of your alma mater, I congratulate you and wish you every success as you go forth into the world as Oswego graduates.
Light your fire tonight from this Torch of Learning and keep it burning brightly as you leave us to set the world aflame with your ideas, your passion and your determination.
Congratulations!
—President Peter Nwosu