Keynote and Alumni Addresses
American International College held its 141st Commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. AIC Commencement 2026 honored undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the Class of 2026.
Femita Ayanbeku Bradley ’14, delivered the keynote address. The world-class Paralympian, advocate, nonprofit founder, and AIC alumna also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her achievements as an elite athlete and advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Also at AIC Commencement 2026, Devonte Dillion ’17, MBA ’19, CEO and co-founder of Dilligence Training and vice president and co-founder of DT Cares, delivered the alumni address. Dillion welcomed graduates into the AIC alumni community and marked their transition into their next academic and professional chapter.
Reflections from an Alumna
In her keynote address, Bradley reflected on her time at AIC and the foundation it provided for her career as a Paralympian and advocate.
“Standing here today in front of you all feels surreal, because I remember sitting exactly where you are,” she said. “I remember I was full of ambition, full of uncertainty, full of pressure, but best of all I was full of possibility.”
A three-time Paralympian and the fastest female amputee in the United States, Bradley spoke about resilience and discipline developed during college and carried into life after graduation.
“We often celebrate graduation like it’s the finish line, but the truth is, it’s only the starting point,” she said. “The real success of college is not simply getting your degree; it’s the things you do after you get your degree.”
She encouraged graduates to focus on their own paths rather than comparisons with others.
“Your life is not a race against the person sitting next to you,” Bradley said. “Some of you will move fast. Some of you will take a little more time, and some of you will change directions completely. Whatever your path is, you are not behind.”
Bradley also emphasized the long-term value of a college degree and the skills developed at AIC.
“No matter what you majored in, completing a degree shows critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, accountability, adaptability, and self-discipline.”
A Final Message to Graduates
She closed encouragement for the Class of 2026.
“As we leave here today, remember this: your degree is just a piece of paper, but what it signifies is so much more,” Bradley said. “It is proof that you showed up, you pushed through, and you refused to quit when things got hard.”
“To the Class of 2026,” she concluded, “the world is not going to wait for you to be ready; it is waiting for you to be brave enough to chase your dreams.”
News Coverage: WWLP 22News