Eckerd College celebrated its 63rd Commencement on Sunday, May 17, on the waterfront campus’s South Field. Photo by Penn Alicandro ’22.
Lara Dallman Weiss ’11 encouraged the Eckerd College Class of 2026 to never be afraid of doing things the opposite way—going against the grain and conventional wisdom.
The two-time Olympic sailor shared missives from her life and career in her keynote address at the College’s 63rd Commencement Ceremony on South Field Sunday. She related everything from learning to drive a stick shift truck to haul a boat across Europe to sailing treacherous waves in the Canary Islands to the life lessons she absorbed through her experiences and Eckerd education.
“That’s something I’ve learned over and over again in sailing and in life. No one hands you a manual. No one tells you the exact right move,” Dallman Weiss said. “At some point, you either trust your own judgment … or you stay stuck.”
The 476 graduates and their families listened intently as Dallman Weiss offered her life as an example of commitment and pursuit of a dream. She is currently preparing a campaign to make the 2028 U.S. Olympic Sailing team in the mixed 470 event.
Two-time Olympian Lara Dallman Weiss ’11 encouraged the 2026 graduates to trust their own judgement as they navigate life. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
“There will be moments where the path isn’t obvious. Where people around you are all doing one thing, and something in you is telling you to go the other way. That’s the moment. That’s when you trust your instincts. That’s when you make the call,” she explained.
Eckerd celebrated 476 graduates in the Class of 2026. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
“That’s when you trim your own sail. Because you can’t control the wind. You can’t control the waves. And you definitely can’t control what everyone else is doing. But you can control how you respond. And leadership, at its core, is having the courage to make that decision… even when it feels backwards. And trusting that you’ll figure it out along the way.”
Following her speech, President Jim Annarelli and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Christine Wooley, Ph.D., presented Dallman Weiss with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by the Board of Trustees.
It was one of several honors and awards included in the ceremony. The most poignant presentation came when Tara Signet joined the line of graduates to accept a Bachelor of Arts in animal studies on behalf of her daughter, Cassandra Ann Signet, who passed away in July 2025.
President Annarelli tightly embraced the grieving mother as the entire graduating class, trustees, faculty, staff and families stood in salute to the Signet family.
Outstanding students were presented with awards for their achievements. Akari Miura, a biochemistry graduate from Tokyo, Japan, received the Philip Lee Honor Award for exceptional present accomplishment and superior future promise. Former Eckerd College Organization of Students President Emma Kelliher received the Ronald Wilson Award for significant contributions to the total College community. Cydney Harkness was awarded the James H. Robinson Award for leadership and significant contributions to the experience of underrepresented students at Eckerd. Ann Marie Liles Knight was presented with the Miller Award for unselfish and public-spirited service to the community, on and off campus.
Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli presents Tara Signet with a Bachelor of Arts degree for her daughter Cassandra Ann Signet, who passed away in 2025. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
Akari Miura, Cydney Aleyah Harkness, Emma Louise Kelliher, and Ann Marie Liles Knight were recognized as award recipients during Eckerd’s 63rd Commencement. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
Professor of Marine Science Laura Wetzel received the John Satterfield Outstanding Mentor Award for impact in the areas of academic programming, career planning and personal growth. Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Tonia Krueger was presented the Robert A. Staub Distinguished Teacher Award, which celebrates teaching excellence in an individual faculty member and encourages the pursuit of teaching excellence by the faculty as a whole.
Senior speaker Noya Hudkins Jouve, who graduated with high honors in international business, shared reflections of what she’s witnessed in her journey from Torredolones, Spain, to jumping off Eckerd’s pier for one last time Sunday.
“Throughout these years, I’ve met professionals whose lives made absolutely no sense, in the best way,” she said. “People who started in biology and ended up in marketing. People who studied art and now run companies. Their beginnings and endings looked completely different, because they never stopped learning who they are and where they belong.”
Noya Hudkins Jouve was the student speaker at Eckerd’s 63rd Commencement. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
She charged her fellow graduates to be adaptable in ever-changing times.
“I used to think changing your mind meant failing. But it does not,” Noya exclaimed. “Change is not failure. Change is information. It is learning more about who you are and having the courage to act on it.”
During his farewell, President Annarelli reminded the Class of 2026 of how far they have come and how winding the road ahead may be.
“Graduates, you have arrived at this day of celebration by various paths. We hope that your time at Eckerd College and the education and experiences that you have had here have prepared you for a life of ceaseless change, generous service and moral courage,” he added. “We will know by the lives you lead if we have succeeded.“
Watch the complete ceremony or read the remarks at eckerd.edu/commencement.
Photo Album
Eckerd graduates take the celebratory leap off the pier into Boca Ciega Bay following Commencement. Photo by Lisa Presnail.
