Engineering and Computer Science Graduates Cross the Stage at Spring 2026 Commencement
The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas celebrated its spring 2026 graduates at a doctoral hooding ceremony on Friday, May 15, and at three commencement ceremonies the following Monday, May 18, at the Activity Center.
Arun Gupta PhD’12 in electrical engineering, keynote speaker at the doctoral hooding ceremony, shares a smile with Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, dean of the Jonsson School.
Graduates crossed the stage during the Year of Education, the strategic theme uniting the Jonsson School in its current academic year.
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, dean of the Jonsson School and holder of the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair, addressed all three commencement ceremonies. She drew on the work of Dr. Angela Duckworth, a leading educational psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, to frame the moment.
“Without effort, your talent is nothing more than unmet potential,” Adams said, quoting Duckworth. “Without effort, your skill is nothing more than what you could have done but didn’t.”
The Jonsson School celebrated 1,387 graduates this semester, including 967 who earned bachelor’s degrees, 365 who earned master’s degrees and 55 who earned doctoral degrees.
“Dedicate yourselves to mastery and innovation,” Adams told graduates. “Do not discount your human experience and your own intellect in the process. Combine your talent and skill with effort, to go forth and use powerful technology for good.”
Arun Gupta PhD’12 in electrical engineering, founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies and keynote speaker at the doctoral hooding ceremony, said that graduates’ resilience would continue to steer them in the future.
“Your perseverance through adversity and through ambiguity led to a very substantial achievement and it won’t be your last,” he said.
Kordel France PhD’26 in computer science crosses the stage after being hooded by advisor Dr. Ovidiu Daescu, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science.
Damilola Olojede PhD’26 in mechanical engineering (third from left) celebrates her achievement with family members and Dr. Jie Zhang (center), professor in mechanical engineering, and Jingyi Yan PhD’26 in mechanical engineering (third from right). “Purpose, perseverance and faith can carry you through even the most uncertain seasons,” Olojede said. “On the other side, you emerge stronger, better and more equipped to make an impact.”
Nathaniel Tjahjono PhD’26 in biomedical engineering snaps a selfie with fourth-year PhD student Connor Neifert. “Experiencing the collaborative and vibrant research community at UT Dallas firsthand during my undergrad led me to pursue my PhD here for my graduate studies,” Tjahjono said.
PhD graduates at the doctoral hooding ceremony heard speeches from UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe and Arun Gupta PhD’12, founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies.
Jonsson School PhD graduates and faculty members line up for photos following the doctoral hooding ceremony.
Jireh Vivar BS’26 in software engineering wears a “Breakthrough Graduate” stole celebrating her accomplishment as a first-generation college student. “It’s so empowering, to have gone through hardships to get here today,” she said.
Mercy Chelangat Koech PhD’26 in electrical engineering leads the procession at the day’s first commencement ceremony. As a student speaker, Koech reflected on the future she and her fellow graduates will shape. “Class of 2026, we arrived here with hope,” she said. “Today we leave with knowledge, with courage, and with purpose.”
Some of the Jonsson School’s newest alumni applaud as their fellow graduates cross the stage.
The Jonsson School celebrated 1,387 graduates this semester, including 967 who earned bachelor’s degrees, 365 who earned master’s degrees and 55 who earned doctoral degrees.
Backstage before the ceremony, graduates hold up the “mini Whoosh” to show some Comet pride.
Many graduates got creative with their regalia, adding decorative flair to reflect academic accomplishments, cultural heritage or personal interests.
Perseverance was a theme for many of the day’s speakers.
From left: PhD student Austin Nguyen, Yu-Yi Lin MS’26 in biomedical engineering and Mehak Kaul MS’25 in biomedical engineering celebrate earning their flowers after commencement.
From left: Dr. Edward White, professor and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Jonsson School Chair; Dr. Manuel Quevedo-Lopez, professor and head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and TI Distinugished University Chair in Nanoelectronics; and Dr. Reza Moheimani, professor and head of the Department of Systems Engineering and James Von Ehr Distinguished Chair.
Marjan Nikpey MS’25 in biomedical engineering doffs her cap.
Jonsson School graduates are all smiles leaving the Activity Center following the commencement ceremony.
Some members of the Class of 2026 decorate their caps with messages for supporters and their fellow graduates.
Speaking at the 11:30 a.m. commencement ceremony, student speaker Mercy Chelangat Koech, a PhD graduate in electrical engineering whose research focused on the sustainability of electrified transportation, called on her classmates to embrace the obligations that come with their degrees.
“As graduates, we leave here not only with knowledge, but with the ability — and the obligation — to use it to make the world better,” said Koech, who will join Burns & McDonnell as a power distribution planning consultant.
At the 2 p.m. ceremony, Sai Charan Palvai MS’26 in computer science reflected on how community carried him through his graduate experience.
“Your network is your net worth,” said Palvai, who will continue with Conifer Health Solutions as a full-time data engineer after completing an internship there. “When you help others, that energy always finds its way back to you.”
Kashish Daulatani BS’26 in computer science addressed the 4:30 p.m. ceremony, urging graduates to lead with more than technical skill.
“The world does not just need intelligence,” said Daulatani, who interned at GenAI and plans to pursue opportunities in software engineering and artificial intelligence. “It needs integrity and empathy. It needs leaders who choose courage over convenience.”
