Order of Exercises

School of Business
School of Computing & Engineering

Trumpet Prelude and Processional

Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar

Call to Commencement

Debra J. Liebowitz, PhD
Provost

National Anthem

Addison Prunier

Greetings

Marie C. Hardin, PhD
President

Class of 2026 Student Speakers

• School of Computing & Engineering: Gavin A. Grim

• School of Business: Margaret Wanjiku Gachau

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Brian O’Neill
Associate Dean, School of Computing & Engineering, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Commencement Address

Robin Hayes
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus North America

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees and Awards

• School of Computing & Engineering: Taskin Kocak, PhD, Dean

• School of Business: Holly Raider, PhD, Dean

Conferral of Degrees

Marie C. Hardin

Alumni Welcome

Pam Martinez ’86
Alumni Association Board

Recessional

Robin Hayes, MEng

Chairman and CEO, Airbus North America

School of Business and School of Computing & Engineering Commencement | Sunday, May 10, 9 a.m.

As chairman and CEO of Airbus North America, Robin Hayes is responsible for Airbus’ commercial aircraft and commercial services businesses throughout the Americas, as well as coordination with Airbus Helicopters, the company’s market-leading helicopter business, and Airbus U.S. Space & Defense.
 


Prior to his role with Airbus North America, Hayes served as CEO of JetBlue Airways Corporation for nine years. He joined the airline in 2008, serving as the company’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer until becoming president of the airline in January 2014. He was appointed as JetBlue’s third chief executive officer in February 2015.
 


Before JetBlue, Hayes spent 19 years at British Airways, where he ascended to the position of executive vice president for the Americas. From 2020-22, he was the chairman of IATA’s Board of Governors, where he championed the air transport association’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Hayes currently serves on the Board of Directors for KeyBank and Make-A-Wish Connecticut. He is a graduate of the University of Bath, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering.

Mace and Medallion

The mace — a symbol of authority — has antecedents in both Roman and Medieval history. The Roman mace (fasces) was carried by a lictor before the chief magistrate of the city, as well as before the legions. During the Middle Ages, the mace (mateola), a weapon of war, became first a symbol of victory and then a symbol of authority. The mace emblazoned with the Great Seal of England became a symbol of authority in Parliament by the end of the 13th century. It is this form of the mace that was the prototype of those symbols of authority, not only of legislative bodies, but also of cities and universities.

In 1246, following some 20 years of strife, the University of Paris was finally conceded the right to its own common seal. Since then, the use of the seal engraved on the mace has come to symbolize the authority of the academic community. In July 2000, Quinnipiac commissioned the noted sculptor Robert Meyer of Westport, Connecticut, to design and execute a new mace for Quinnipiac University. Cast in bronze, the mace incorporates elements of the university seal.

The medallion (medal of office), like the mace and the seal, is also a symbol of authority. It is possible that its roots may be traced back to the Roman “bulla” (a gold amulet of honor). The obverse of the medallion shows the seal of the office the wearer holds — in our case, the seal of the university. Not infrequently, the reverse would show the personal seal or coat of arms of the bearer. Since the High Middle Ages, the medallion has been worn by such officials as the chancellors of England, mayors of cities, and rectors of universities, and came to signify the high personal position such figures occupied in their respective governments. During the Renaissance, medallion design reached unique artistic heights, and in certain portraits the medallion was given particular prominence. The medallion is worn by the university’s president. The Quinnipiac medal showcases the university seal, sculpted in relief and cast in bronze.