Southern Commencement Set, Speakers Include NHPS Superintendent, Boxing Champ, Anti-Bullying Advocate

NEW HAVEN, CT —Southern Connecticut State University will celebrate the Class of 2026 with a series of commencement ceremonies featuring distinguished speakers from across education, healthcare, and public service, along with the conferral of honorary degrees recognizing impactful leadership in the region and beyond.

This year, Southern will celebrate nearly 2,600 graduates, including approximately 1,600 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students.

All about the undergraduate ceremony

Cam F. Awesome, champion boxer and anti-bullying speaker, will serve as the keynote speaker for the undergraduate ceremony. He will deliver remarks on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport.

A nationally recognized speaker and the winningest boxer in USA Boxing history, Awesome has earned multiple national titles, including Golden Gloves and U.S. Championships, as well as three Olympic Trials appearances. His journey—from overcoming bullying and academic struggles to achieving national prominence—has inspired audiences across the country. Today, he shares lessons on resilience, mental toughness, and developing a championship mindset through his dynamic and engaging presentations.

And at this ceremony, the university will also confer an honorary Doctor of Political Science degree (D.P.Sc.) upon Mayor Justin Elicker.

Graduate student ceremonies

Graduate commencement ceremonies will take place May 18–19, 2026, at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts on Southern’s campus, recognizing graduates across the university’s four academic schools and colleges:

• Monday, May 18 | 2:00 p.m. – College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business
  • Graduate student speakers will represent both schools during the ceremony.
• Monday, May 18 | 7:00 p.m. – College of Health and Human Services
  • Keynote address delivered by Christopher O’Connor, CEO of the Yale New Haven Health System, who will also receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree
• Tuesday, May 19 | 7:00 p.m. – College of Education
  • Commencement address delivered by Madeline Negrón, Superintendent of New Haven Public Schools