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LUJ's Summer 2026 Graduation Ceremony
By Adeena Rehman
On Saturday August 16, many LUJ Muskies had reason to celebrate, as they graduated with great achievements and greater memories. Now starts the next chapter in their life.
The ceremony started around 1pm, and was located in Muskie Hall, on the 6th floor of the campus building.
The day started off with preparations and arrangements conducted by our hardworking staff. We then transitioned smoothly into faculty line up and our graduates' dress rehearsal. During and after the ceremony, family, friends and faculty gathered to honor the graduates, as they crossed the stage and turned their tassels. Joy, sense of achievement and fulfillment was evident in the graduate’s demeanor to everyone in attendance as they were marshalled in by Mr. Roger Grabowski.
The ceremony was moderated by Mr. Patrick Parr, and it began with a welcome speech by LUJ Vice President Dr. Anderson Passos. “This is a special graduation for me," he said to the graduates. "I started as Vice President of Lakeland University Japan in Fall of 2023, so this graduation marks three years of my vice presidency here, and some of you graduating today have started your journey at LUJ together with me.” Dean Charles Laurier addressed the commencement ceremony and praised the graduates for their tireless efforts and enthusiasm that led them to this feat.
Mr. Akifusa Iida, the official representative of Sumida Ward and Ms. Noemi Inoue, councilwoman for the Sumida City Assembly, were guest speakers and gave inspiring commencement speeches. They commended Lakeland University Japan for its outstanding and transformative educational practices and extended their praise to the graduates, wishing them the best in their future endeavors. Dean Laurier then presented the diplomas to the graduates. Associate of Art Degrees, Bachelor of Art Degrees, and Bachelor of Science Degrees were awarded to the graduating students on this day.
Jacob Matthew Hamilton, one of the graduates, was awarded a certificate of achievement by Dr. Edgar Pelaez Mazariegos for fulfilling the requirements of LUJ's Japanese Studies program. Class of 2026 Representative Miss Nicole Modolo delivered a graduation speech where she expressed her excitement and shared her experience and journey with LUJ. “I had fun. I love being here, I am so grateful for the friends I’ve made here, the connections I found with like-minded people, and the people who would always go out of their way to help me or cheer me up when I’m down.” She also offered thanks to the faculty and staff at LUJ "for teaching us, guiding us inside and outside of the classroom, and for their patience whenever we inevitably bombarded them with questions about anything and everything that would come up in our minds.”
A round of applause filled the hall as proud parents, friends, relatives and faculty congratulated the graduates and soon the space was filled with the scent of graduation flowers being handed to the graduates as they posed for the camera to capture memories from this day. A reception was followed among all present near the end of the ceremony with a delicious bento and appetizer spread by Manimani catering service. Freshly brewed and exquisite blend coffee was served by LUJ’s long-standing espresso partner Seibo, which runs the Warm Hearts Coffee Club, a charity coffee initiative that sells fair-trade coffee and tea from Malawi to fund school meals for children in that country.
The ceremony was concluded with a vote of thanks, appreciation and encouragement for students to keep learning and progressing in their lives ahead.
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