SAIS Europe Commencement 2026

On Saturday, May 16, SAIS Europe gathered at Teatro Medica Palace in Bologna to celebrate the Class of 2026—a cohort shaped by intellectual rigor, an increasingly complex international moment, and an extraordinary commitment to building community across cultures and perspectives. Family, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests came together to mark a milestone that reflected both the academic character and enduring spirit of the SAIS Europe experience.

In his welcome address, Rector Renaud Dehousse reflected on the distinctive qualities of the graduating class, highlighting its intellectual curiosity, resilience, and strong sense of community.  “Every class leaves its own mark on SAIS Europe,” he said. “Yours has done so with seriousness, intellectual curiosity, energy, and a strong sense of community.” He noted that during their time in Bologna, students created a vibrant intellectual and social environment that extended well beyond the classroom—through seminars, language study, student initiatives, and countless conversations across the city. He also reminded graduates that they enter the world at a particularly consequential moment, one that demands analytical rigor, openness to evidence, and the ability to engage constructively across differences.

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Frans Timmermans, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and one of Europe’s leading voices on international cooperation and climate policy. Over more than three decades in public service—as diplomat, Dutch Foreign Minister, and senior European policymaker—Timmermans has championed democratic values, international cooperation, and collective action in addressing global challenges.  Introduced by Professor Nathalie Tocci, Timmermans spoke to graduates about leadership in an increasingly fragmented world, emphasizing the importance of engagement, cooperation, and building bridges across societies and political divides. His career itself reflected many of the values SAIS seeks to cultivate: international engagement, seriousness of purpose, and the conviction that major challenges can only be addressed collectively.

The ceremony also recognized excellence in teaching and student research. The 2026 Johns Hopkins Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award resulted in a rare tie between two distinguished members of the SAIS Europe faculty—and alumni of the Bologna Class of 1985.  Dana Allin was recognized for his dedication to mentoring students and strengthening their analytical writing and policy thinking. Andrew Winner was honored for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and ability to make complex issues in strategy and security both engaging and accessible.

Outstanding student work was also celebrated through the C. Grove Haines Awards, the Excellence in Gender Research Prize, and the Christian A. Herter Award. This year’s recipients were:

• International Policy Areas: Nicholas Brdicko – Designing for Durability: A Comparative Analysis of Five Eyes and AUKUS under Political Strain

• Regions of the World: Eleonora Longhi Gelati – Teleology vs. Contingency: The Future of Human Rights Beyond the Nation-State

• Best MAIA Thesis: Georgia McKerracher – Current Affairs: The Changing Tides of Pacific Development Aid

• Excellence in Gender Research Prize: Fatima Masood – Advocacy Against the Odds: How Have Afghan Women’s Rights Activists Sustained Transnational Advocacy Between 2021 and 2024 Despite the Shrinking of Domestic Civic Space?

• Christian A. Herter Award: Junhan Yang, recognized for the highest academic performance across the first three semesters.

This year also marked the first formal student commencement address at SAIS Europe. Delivered by Noah Gundermann, Master of Arts in European Public Policy graduate, the speech reflected on pursuing international affairs education in an increasingly uncertain world. Recalling being asked during Italian class, “What is a German-Canadian doing at an American university in Italy?”, Gundermann used the question to reflect on why students choose international affairs despite instability and unpredictability. “Nobody pursues a master’s in international relations as an act of despair,” he said. “You do it because you think it matters.” Encouraging graduates to resist cynicism and remain engaged with the world’s challenges, he concluded by urging his classmates to hold onto hope “not in spite of the evidence, but through it.”

Later in the ceremony, Student Government Association President Ian Donahue reflected on the bonds forged by a class representing 47 countries. Speaking about disagreement, dialogue, and community, he emphasized one of the defining lessons of the Bologna experience: “The ability to see and appreciate the person sitting across from you makes disagreements seem smaller—more manageable, more able to be overcome.”  Donahue also reflected on the resilience and spirit of a cohort that built community across cultures and perspectives while navigating a rapidly changing world. His remarks concluded with a video tribute featuring moments from the academic year, offering a portrait of the friendships and shared experiences that shaped the Class of 2026.

As graduates joined the global SAIS alumni network, Rector Dehousse returned to close the ceremony by invoking the school’s founding mission.
“You leave Bologna not only with a degree,” he said, “but with friendships, perspectives, and experiences that will remain with you throughout your lives.”

The celebration continued back at SAIS Europe with a reception among classmates, faculty, family, and friends—marking the close of one chapter and the beginning of many more.

Commencement Photo Album

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