Graduates in red gowns celebrating during a commencement ceremony in a packed auditorium.

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Graduates!

Congratulations to the nearly 500 Spring 2026 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) graduates! Hundreds of friends, family and #NCStateECE community members gathered at Reynolds Coliseum on May 7 to celebrate the Class of 2026.

May 18, 2026 Colleen Brown

Dr. Kim Hazelwood, ECE Alumni Hall of Fame member and globally recognized leader in AI infrastructure and AI systems research, delivered the commencement address.

"Over time, I’ve learned that the most successful colleagues are almost never the ones who follow a perfectly straight, well-planned path. They’re the ones who know the importance of responding intelligently to new information. They’re the ones that know how and when to pivot," said Hazelwood. "So when industry shifts, and it will, don’t fear the pivot. Be the engineer who sees possibility where everyone else sees disruption. Be curious enough to keep learning, be humble enough to change direction, be bold enough to move toward uncertainty when that is where the opportunity lies. That is not abandoning your path. That is how great careers are built."

Neil Sood, a dual major in Electrical and Computer Engineering, touched on themes of laughter, thought and emotion in his speech.

"There’s no doubt that our major is one of the most challenging that NC State has to offer," said Sood. "But for me, the hardest classes always came with the best memories, the closest friendships and a sense of belonging that only comes with being a part of a Pack."

Sood plans to return to NC State this Fall to obtain his Masters in Computer Engineering through the Accelerated Bachelors Masters (ABM) program. During his time as an undergrad, Sood served as an Engineering Ambassador, ECE Ambassador and teaching assistant for the introduction to engineering courses.