Congratulations to the UF Engineering Class of 2026!
Today, we celebrate you and the remarkable achievement that brings you to this moment.
As I begin my journey as dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, I am especially honored that one of my first opportunities is to welcome you into the next chapter of your lives. While my time as your dean is just beginning, your time as students has already made you an important part of the story of this college. That is a story you will carry with you wherever you go.
You have worked hard to reach this day. You have challenged yourselves, overcome obstacles, learned from one another and discovered what it means to think and work like an engineer. Along the way, you have been supported by faculty, mentors, family and friends who believed in you and helped you reach this milestone.
Now, you are entering a world that needs you.
The challenges ahead, from advancing technology and artificial intelligence to improving health, strengthening infrastructure and creating a more sustainable future, will require more than technical expertise. They will require creativity, curiosity, collaboration and courage. They will require engineers who understand that the work we do is ultimately about improving lives and building a better future.
You are ready for that challenge.
As you leave the University of Florida, I hope you carry with you not only the knowledge and skills you have gained, but also the confidence to ask difficult questions, the courage to pursue bold ideas and the commitment to use your talents for the greater good.
Today, you join a remarkable community of Gator Engineers—generations of alumni who have gone before you and made an impact in ways both large and small. You are now part of that legacy, and I hope you will help shape what comes next.
Wherever your journey takes you, remember that you will always have a home here at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. We will be cheering for you, celebrating your successes and looking forward to all that you will accomplish.
Congratulations, graduates. Welcome to the Gator Engineering alumni family. We are proud of you, and we cannot wait to see what you engineer next.
Go Gators!
Mark Tehranipoor, Ph.D.
Dean, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
UF Distinguished Professor
Intel Charles E. Young Preeminence Endowed Chair Professor in Cybersecurity