DMSE Class of 2026 urged to keep pushing limits after MIT
Undergraduate and graduate students who mastered rigorous subjects, advanced research in fields ranging from semiconductors to medical devices, and even founded companies were urged during MIT’s commencement festivities to keep pushing their limits.
“You now have the skills and the tools to do something truly remarkable,” said Department Head Polina Anikeeva at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE)’s annual Commencement Reception on May 28.
Many of the graduates arrived at MIT during a transitional moment, Anikeeva noted.
“We were just warming up after the pandemic. Life on campus was becoming mostly normal, but it was still a time of change.”
Students adapted to a continuously changing environment, with undergraduates mastering new skills and pursuing opportunities in industry while graduate students were “pushing the limits of our field with rigor and creativity” through experimental techniques and emerging computational approaches.
“Now I want you to take this knowledge, and your ability to work—ability to really put in some hours and use your imagination and your energy to contribute,” Anikeeva said. “It’s not time to relax.”
The reception took place under a tent on Eastman Court during MIT’s three days of commencement activities and on the same day as the OneMIT ceremony, which brings together graduates of all degree programs. The undergraduate ceremony was held May 29, and the advanced-degree ceremony for the School of Engineering and the Schwarzman College of Computing took place May 27.
Professor Juejun Hu, chair of DMSE’s undergraduate committee, kicked off the event’s awards program.
“This is usually my favorite part of the entire ceremony here,” he said. “I always get the honor to present the undergraduate awards to our outstanding students.”
One graduating senior who was called to the stage several times was Gordon Su, who received the Outstanding Senior Award and the Undergraduate Student Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching an Undergraduate Subject. He was also part of a team recognized for one of two Horace A. Lubin Awards for Outstanding Service to the DMSE Community.
In presenting Su’s awards, Hu quoted his research supervisors:
“Gordon learns from experimental challenges and is always eager to try new solutions. He’s a collaborative and thoughtful member of any community he joins, elevating those around him through both his work and his example.”
Other undergraduate awards and winners:
- Outstanding Sophomore Award: Leonid Asatryan
- Julian Szekely Award for Outstanding Junior: Sara Tulchinsky
- Joseph M. Dhosi Outstanding Internship Award: Delia Harms
- Outstanding Senior Thesis Award: Jacqueline Prawira
- Horace A. Lubin Award for Outstanding Service to the DMSE Community: Carlos Anciano Martinez, Gordon Su, and Isabella Torres
- Horace A. Lubin Award for Outstanding Service to the DMSE Community: Anna Beck
The John Wulff Award for Excellence in Teaching an Undergraduate Subject went to PhD student Eric Lee.
Assistant Professor Aristide Gumyusenge, chair of the graduate student committee, announced the awards for graduate students:
- Exceptional First-Year Performance Award: Khalil JeBailey
- Graduate Student Community Service Award: Jessica Dong and Roland St. Michel
- Graduate Student Teaching Award in Teaching a Graduate Subject: Trevor Bormann
- 2026 Best PhD Thesis Research Award: Cole Fincher
Closing the program, Anikeeva reflected on the role materials science and engineering can play in shaping the future.
“As you are now starting your new journeys, we want to see you completely change industries, change academia, change policy, to make this world a more exciting and better place for all of us. Because everything is made of something—so we are the people who are making it happen,” she said. “We are materials scientists and engineers.”
