From left to right: Monique Taylor, provost and chief academic officer at Champlain College; Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies; Dr. Brian Hall, professor of computer science and innovation at Champlain College; and Alex Hernandez, president of Champlain College.
BETA Technologies Founder and CEO Kyle Clark delivered the keynote address to 598 graduates from across the College’s on-campus and online programs.
Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College conferred 598 degrees to undergraduate and graduate students, representing both the College’s on-campus and online communities during its 148th commencement ceremony on May 9. More than 3,000 students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, Board of Trustees, donors, friends and community leaders convened for a morning of reflection, recognition, and celebration on Saturday, May 9 at the Champlain Valley Exposition.
The college welcomed Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive officer of Vermont-based electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, Inc. as the keynote commencement speaker. Clark, a native of Essex, Vermont, is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing aviation technology and sustainable transportation solutions, and during the Spring 2026 semester, BETA and Champlain College embarked on a multiyear partnership connecting students with real-world projects at the company.
Clark shared his personal philosophies for success, which mirrored the purpose-driven entrepreneurial spirit and ambitions common amongst Champlain College students. “Champlain has helped to prepare you to get ready for work, for life, and ready to make a difference. Skills matter. Practical ability matters. But where you choose to aim those skills, I would argue, it matters even more. So aim them at something you care about. Aim them at something that you love.” Clark continued, “You don’t need to have your whole life figured out today. Most of the best things are built stone by stone, day by day, and choice by choice.”
BETA is committed to doubling its Vermont workforce by 1,000 employees over the next 18 months. In recognition of this commitment, his professional contributions to aerospace technologies and sustainable innovation, and for exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community reflective of the College’s mission, Clark was awarded an honorary doctorate of technology and innovation.
The ceremony also included a student reflection from undergraduate student Kamira Peterson, who earned a bachelor of arts in law and a minor in social justice, representing the on-campus undergraduate community. Peterson reflected on the collective resilience of the graduating class, saying, “Today isn’t just about celebrating a degree... Today is about recognizing our resilience. Behind every person sitting here today is a story of sacrifice, doubt, and change. Today is about honoring the quiet strength it took to show up and keep going.”
Champlain College Online student Justine Hanrahan, who earned a master of business administration with a certificate in positive organization development, offered a second student reflection. Hanrahan encouraged her fellow graduates to approach the future with confidence and generosity, emphasizing the power of possibility and support. “As we graduate into a world that will continue to shift and surprise us, we each have the opportunity to be the person who replaces ‘if’ with ‘when,’ and helps someone else see what’s possible,” she said.
Champlain College president Alex Hernandez presided over the ceremony and addressed the graduating class, emphasizing the College’s long-standing mission to position students to collide their passions with purpose in a way that is both innovative and deeply human.
“At Champlain, we created a future-focused college where graduates are ready for what comes next when you walk out those doors. That’s no easy task. The world is changing at a dizzying speed. But we don’t hide from change. We harness it. You are surrounded by tools that can help you build anything. Tools that let you do the work of ten, twenty, thirty people. Yet we long for purpose and meaning.” said President Alex Hernandez. “In a world where everything is possible, this will be your legacy. Creating community. Finding shared purpose. Infusing the world with meaning.”
To learn more about Champlain College’s commitment to experiential, career-readying education and the inclusive learning environment that supports students across programs and modalities visit champlain.edu.
Champlain College graduate Kamira Peterson, who received a Bachelor of Arts in law, delivered remarks during the College’s commencement ceremony, representing undergraduate on-campus students.
Justine Hanrahan, who received a Master of Business Administration, addresses the audience during Champlain College’s 148th commencement ceremony.
About Champlain College
Founded in 1878, Champlain College is an innovative college with a distinctive, career-focused approach to higher education. Champlain offers a residential undergraduate experience at its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT, as well as over 100 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates to students across fifty states. Champlain College is different by design: we believe experiential, real-world learning creates unreal opportunity for students. Our graduates are ready to advance their careers with leading employers in future-focused fields—on average, 90% of on-campus students have a successful career outcome within six months of graduation. Champlain ranks in multiple categories of U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges," is included in The Princeton Review's 2025 list of "The Best 390 Colleges," and earned the #9 spot in Princeton Review's "2025 Top Schools for Game Design." Champlain was awarded one of America's Best Colleges by Money for combining quality and affordability.
BURLINGTON, VT (May 18, 2026) - Champlain College
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