In a heartfelt address to graduates, Marsha Akua Akoto Ph.D.’26 emphasized the significance of community support during challenging times. Her words resonated with the audience, highlighting the collective effort that propels individuals forward.
“Everyone is here because somebody believed in us, and somebody gave us a chance, and somebody encouraged us, and all of this moved us forward when we needed it the most,” Akoto stated passionately. “What we do here matters. It’s about impact. It’s about creating ideas, solutions, and new ways of thinking that extend far beyond this very moment.”
Akoto urged the graduates to proceed with purpose, to share their newfound knowledge, and to maintain ties with the communities that have supported them. “Because in a world that can feel so uncertain, demanding and heavy, what we carry matters, but who we carry with us matters a lot,” she added. “So wherever life takes you next, go far, but don’t go alone.”
‘Embrace That Friction’
President Joseph J. Helble ’82 brought the ceremony to a close by reflecting on the diverse backgrounds of the graduates who came together at the institution. He reminisced about moments of shared learning, like the recent International Bazaar, which was a melting pot of food, music, and culture.
“Transcending national boundaries. Interested only in sharing and learning. Face-to-face, curious about your differences, connecting in ways that remind us of the essence of being human,” Helble remarked.
However, Helble raised concerns about the diminishing role of personal interaction in an era dominated by digital communication and artificial intelligence. He warned against relying too heavily on AI to craft communications, noting that genuine understanding comes from engaging directly with challenges.
“It’s too easy … to fall into the trap of having AI do the thinking for you, not with you,” Helble cautioned. “True learning, and true understanding, comes from wrestling with a problem, asking, ‘What am I missing?,’ and finding that spark of inspiration, sometimes in a completely unrelated or unexpected place.”
He advised graduates to be mindful of how they use AI in their communications and to appreciate the complexities of human interactions. “Human interactions are messy and imperfect,” Helble said. “They’re subject to misinterpretation and misunderstanding. There is that friction. That’s risky. And that, I think, is so often the beauty in life. So I ask you, embrace that friction.”
Finally, Helble challenged the audience to reflect on the pursuit of perfection when using AI for self-expression. “Is perfect really the goal?” he questioned, urging them to consider the essence of being “authentically human.”
The ceremony featured musical performances by the Allentown Band, led by conductor Ronald H. Demkee, marking their 43rd appearance at the event. Rabbi Steven P. Nathan, the Endowed Director of Jewish Student Life, offered the invocation, followed by the national anthem led by Temma Leeba Schaechter M.Ed.’26. Graduate student remarks were delivered by Marsha Akua Akoto, and the benediction was offered by Imam Tariq Ameer, director of Muslim student life. The alma mater was led by Marti Anna Colasurdo MS’26.
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