Babson College's 107th undergraduate commencement saw graduate Jake Thibeault deliver the student address, sharing a message forged in the crucible of paralysis. Thibeault, who was paralyzed from the waist down in 2021 during his final hockey season at Milton Academy, stood from his wheelchair and walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
The core of Thibeault's message, delivered to the class of '26, centered on a philosophy he termed "no bad days." This perspective, he explained, is not about ignoring hardship but about finding at least one positive moment each day, often through a shift in outlook. He urged his classmates to "take risks, be resilient, love our people fiercely."
His address emphasized the lessons learned from adversity, stating, "when progress feels at its smallest, always remember that inches still move you forward." Thibeault positioned his own experience not as mastery of business principles, but as a testament to learned resilience.
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The Fitchburg native's journey to the commencement stage has been marked by a determined effort to regain strength with the explicit goal of walking again. He was honored previously during a hockey series between Babson and Fitchburg State University. The ceremony also acknowledged the support provided to ensure Thibeault's on-campus experiences were accessible.
