Press Release: NBC’s Lester Holt Addresses Graduates at 2026 Pace University Commencement

NBC’s Lester Holt Addresses Graduates at 2026 Pace University Commencement

Pace celebrates more than 4,300 graduates at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

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Pace University’s Class of 2026 crossed the commencement stage this week as award-winning journalist and Dateline NBC anchor Lester Holt reflected on the risks, setbacks, and unexpected opportunities that shaped his path from aspiring broadcaster to a renowned journalist.

Speaking to more than 4,300 graduates and nearly 25,000 family members, friends, and supporters gathered at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, Holt encouraged students to resist the pressure to “play it safe” and remain open to the possibilities that can come from taking chances and challenging expectations.

“How far a leap are you willing to make to realize your dream?” Holt asked graduates. “Playing it safe seems like a smart strategy on the surface, but you will find yourself at moments where the reasonable choice feels unreasonable.”

Holt, who received a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, was among several distinguished speakers recognized throughout Pace’s two-day Commencement celebration, which included six ceremonies, student speakers, a food village, music, and other celebratory festivities.

Wednesday’s undergraduate ceremonies featured several distinguished speakers: Dr. Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, addressed graduates of the College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

Pedro Rivera '12, an Emmy- and LA Press Club Award-winning journalist and co-anchor of ABC7 Eyewitness News on WABC-TV, spoke to graduates of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, the Sands College of Performing Arts, and the School of Education. Reflecting on his own journey from Pace student to broadcast journalist, Rivera encouraged graduates to stay focused on long-term goals and define success on their own terms.

“Manifest your success,” Rivera told graduates. “Say your goals out loud. Write them down and really embed them into your mind, because everything you do — the jobs you take, the people you surround yourselves with — will lead you toward that success. And success is not about money or status. It’s about happiness.”

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The celebration continued Thursday with graduate and professional school ceremonies, including the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, which recently earned the No. 1 ranking for Environmental Law by U.S. News & World for the sixth consecutive Year.

Hon. Francesca E. Connolly '82, associate justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, addressed law graduates and received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

Justice Connolly shared personal stories about overcoming financial hardship, working multiple jobs while pursuing her education, and discovering confidence through her experiences in moot court at Pace Law. She described preparation as “the antidote to fear” and urged graduates to remain grounded in integrity and public service as they enter the legal profession.

“Success in this profession does not require perfection,” she said. “It requires persistence. It requires preparation. It requires integrity. And most of all, it requires a belief that you are capable of much more than you imagine right now.”

Peter Muller, founder and CEO of PDT Partners, addressed graduates of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and Lubin School of Business. Judith M. Watson '94, RN, BSN, MPH, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center, spoke to graduates of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the College of Health Professions. Pace also awarded Cedric Bobo, founder of Project Destined, with its Opportunitas in Action Award.

The student recipient of this year’s Opportunitas Award, Suraj Sharma, earned a combined bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in applied quantitative economics from Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. As captain of Pace’s National Federal Reserve Challenge team, Sharma helped lead the University to a national championship title, outperforming 136 competing schools, including Harvard and UCLA.

Sharma graduated with a 4.0 GPA and earned numerous honors during his time at Pace, including the Award for Excellence in Academic Research and induction into the International Economics Honor Society. Following graduation, he will join PIMCO as an institutional client management account analyst.

“Every opportunity in life exists because someone else paid a price for it,” Sharma said. “Pace not only gave us degrees, it gave us those opportunities and taught us to relentlessly seize them ourselves.”

During the main ceremony, Pace University President Marvin Krislov reflected on the experiences that shaped graduates throughout their time at the University and the lessons they will carry into a rapidly changing world.

“Graduates, your education unfolded in classrooms, in residence halls, in internships, in rehearsal studios, in clinics, in courtrooms and labs and communities throughout New York and beyond,” Krislov said. “Some of you found your direction immediately. Others discovered it gradually through exploration, through setbacks, through conversations, and seizing new opportunities. That is all part of what higher education is meant to do.”

Students celebrating this achievement included undergraduate, graduate, law, and doctoral candidates preparing for careers in nursing, physician assistant studies, business, cybersecurity, education, law, the arts, public service, and more.

Number of graduates by Ceremony

Undergraduate Degrees

• College of Health Professions, Lubin School of Business, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems: 1,077
• Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Sands College of Performing Arts, and School of Education (undergraduate and graduate): 1,140

Graduate Degrees

• Lubin School of Business and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems: 1,049
• College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Education: 814

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

• Total graduates receiving degrees: 291
• Juris Doctor degrees: 261
• Master of Laws in Comparative Legal Studies degrees: 18
• Master of Laws in Environmental Law degrees: 11
• Doctor of Juridical Science degree: 1
• Advanced certificates awarded: 59
• Additional joint degrees recognized: 6
• Flex JD graduates: 53

About Pace University

Founded in 1906 and celebrating 120 years of preparing students for success in 2026, Pace University pairs real-life learning with strong academics to launch meaningful careers. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace serves 13,600 students across a range of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.