BUCS Celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Computer Science Convocation
On Friday, May 15, 2026, 479 B.A. and 105 M.S. degree candidates graduated from Boston University’s Department of Computer Science. Representing a wide range of interdisciplinary undergraduate pathways and advanced graduate programs spanning areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data-centric computing, economics, linguistics, mathematics, physics, and statistics, our graduates leave prepared with the knowledge and skills to take on complex challenges in our rapidly changing world.
At 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, Computer Science Department Chair Goerge Kollios welcomed the graduates and their loved ones to the BU Track and Tennis Center for the 2026 Computer Science Convocation ceremony.
2026 Computer Science Convocation Department Chair Welcome Remarks by George Kollios
Department Chair Goerge Kollios recognized Mutiraj Laksanawisit as the recipient of the 2026 College Prize in Computer Science; Selene Wu as the recipient of the 2026 Department Prize for Distinguished Undergraduate Achievement, Steve Choi and Alika Grigorova as the recipients of the 2026 Department Prizes for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement, and Dr. Gonca Gürsun ‘13, as the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in Computer Science.
Dr. Gonca Gürsun ‘13, the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award in Computer Science recipient, took the podium to give her remarks. Dr. Gürsun urged the Class of 2026 to see successful people around them as proof of what's possible, to focus on their agency over their work, and to be confident acting before they are fully prepared. She also assured the graduates their own willingness to act is more important today in a world where information and AI are widely accessible and intelligence is no longer the differentiator.
"You are graduating at a genuinely remarkable moment from a fantastic university in a field that matters more than ever."
2026 Computer Science Convocation Alumni Speech by Dr. Gonca Gürsun
College Prize recipient Mutiraj Laksanawisit then addressed his classmates as this year’s student speaker. Mutiraj began by thanking faculty, family, friends, and the Class of 2026 before encouraging his fellow graduates to reflect on why they first chose to study computer science and how much they have changed during their time at Boston University. He comforted his classmates by saying that it's not worth stressing over a perfect long-term plan. Rather, Mutiraj encouraged the graduates to try new things, learn from their experiences, and appreciate the journey they have already had.
"It does not really matter if you don’t have every detail planned out, as long as you can look back and tell yourself that you have fully embraced your time and academic journey at BU."
2026 Computer Science Convocation Student Speech by Mutiraj Laksanawisit
At the conclusion of the speeches, Department Chair Goerge Kollios invited Professor Christine Papadakis-Kanaris up to the podium to read the names of the degree candidates Master’s of Science in Computer Science, Master’s of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Master’s of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Data Centric Computing, Master’s of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Cyber Security, and Bachelor's of Arts and Master’s of Science in Computer Science.
Following the presentation of diplomas to Master’s candidates, Professor Christine Papadakis-Kanaris invited Professor Professor Leonid Reyzin to the podium to read the names of the degree candidates for the Joint Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and Computer Science, Joint Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Computer Science, Joint Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Computer Science, Joint Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Computer Science, and Joint Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Professor Dave Sullivan and Professor Nathan Mull then conferred the degrees to candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. And, finally, Professor Nathan Mull conferred the degree to one candidate in the Bachelor of Science of Data Science on behalf of the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences.
Returning to the stage, Department Chair George Kollios presented his closing final remarks and asked all the degree candidates to rise, look for their friends and families in the stands, and thank them for their support throughout their degree.
The Department of Computer Science thanks Mary Dangora, Josh Maldonado, Dannie Lane, Catherine Traylen, Caitlyn Lau, Daniel Kireopoulos, Patrick Kudzal, George Kokkinogenis, Pluto Davis, Stacie Nardizzi, Libby James, and Michael Coulombe for all their hard work for this special event.