Meet the Valedictorians of Spring 2026

“This week, thousands of students will cross the stage and celebrate a tremendous milestone at 11 convocation ceremonies. And at each ceremony, a student will join the stage party and deliver a valedictory address reflecting on their university experiences and their bright futures. We asked this year’s valedictorians to share some insights and wisdom from their time at Mac, and here’s what they had to say: What’s a great moment/memory from your time here? The moments and memories I will be most proud of are the years I spent with the Math and Stats Society, working from general member up to co-president. I came to McMaster lost in the way that first-year students are lost; uncertain. I was pretty convinced I was the only one who felt that way. However, the society and the upper years who offered me guidance freely and openly changed that. S haring the advice that no syllabus could ever contain, the real “if you know, you know” advice was the generosity that really stuck with me. I knew that eventually I wanted to be in a position where I could give that same generosity back — to be the upper-year that a lost first-year student could turn to for advice. I wanted to be able to share my perspective and work toward assuring them that things do, eventually, work out. My tenure on society gave me exactly that and more: the chance to show up for others the way others had once shown up for me. Those moments from my undergrad are what will ultimately stick with me throughout my life. — Safi Khan, Faculty of Science Click here for more on Safi Khan Having spent my first year entirely online during COVID, one of my most memorable moments was finally arriving on campus in second year and seeing everyone in person for the first time, only to discover that the heights I had invented in my head for everyone were almost entirely wrong. — Kieran D’Sena, Faculty of Engineering Click here for more on Kieran D’Sena It’s honestly difficult to distinguish just one memory because there were so many moments throughout the MBA that were meaningful in completely different ways. One experience that’s definitely worth mentioning was the 24-Hour Cup during the D700 course. There was something unforgettable about the intensity of working through the night with classmates, trying to solve complex problems while running almost entirely on adrenaline, teamwork, and determination. It was exhausting, chaotic, and incredibly fun at the same time, and it became one of those experiences that really bonded our cohort. MBA Games was another major highlight. Competing alongside the DeGroote team and seeing everyone support each other through such a high-energy environment was an experience I’ll always be grateful for. — Klea Pulti, DeGroote School of Business During the summer of my third year, I had the incredible opportunity to spend three months living in Western Uganda as an international fellow with Engineers Without Borders. I worked alongside local Ugandan students and stayed in the Nyakayojo sub-region, collaborating on ways to improve irrigation during the dry seasons for local grape farmers. Together, my team and I co-created Optimus Lumina, a portable, solar-powered backpack designed to support their crop growth. However, this experience was so much more than simply just a technical project. I immersed myself in Ugandan culture and absolutely fell in love with the food, the music, the pace of life, and, most of all, the Banyankole people I was surrounded by. I created deep, lifelong friendships and found a sense of belonging, and it was my first integration into a culture so different from my own. That summer opened my eyes and sparked a deep interest in global understanding and social dynamics, with a thirst to continue exploring and learning more. These memories will always be held very close to my heart and will never be forgotten. — Ishan Sharma, Faculty of Science Click here for more on Ishan Sharma The post Meet the Valedictorians of Spring 2026 appeared first on McMaster News .

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