WATCH: Jake Thibeault ’26 Delivers Babson’s Commencement Address

Jake Thibeault ’26 delivered an inspirational and moving message of resilience and optimism in the face of adversity Saturday as the student speaker at Babson College’s 107th undergraduate Commencement ceremony.

Standing up with the help of hockey teammates Charlie Andriole ’26 and Ryan Murphy ’26, Thibeault strode to the podium on his own with the help of a walker. After a roaring standing ovation, he addressed the more than 740 undergraduates, plus their families and friends, under the large Commencement tent on the College’s Wellesley campus,

Draped with a white student-athlete stole over his black Commencement gown, he referenced September 4, 2021, the day an on-ice collision in a club hockey game left him paralyzed and changed the trajectory of his journey.

“Little did I know that paralysis was going to be part of my business plan,” he said. “Turning to my doctor and saying, ‘I am ready to fight,’ that promise leads me here today with an unbelievable group of friends, teammates, and classmates.

“Keep in mind, that fight for me is not just in rehab but also in living the fullest life possible, especially my college life that Babson made possible.”

‘MORE THAN HOCKEY’: Read more about Jake Thibeault ’26 in Babson Magazine.

Thibeault spoke more about his rehab during the past four years as a Babson student, saying that there are days “where progress is measured in inches.” He shared his philosophy that “there are no bad days” and encouraged his classmates to recognize “at least one good moment every day.”

Later in the ceremony, as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma, Thibeault was greeted with another big ovation and hugs from both President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD and Provost and Executive Vice President Ariel Armony.

Thibeault concluded his remarks by imploring his fellow classmates, as Babson graduates, to be builders of community and purpose and live life defining adversity.

“We must take risks, be resilient, love our people fiercely,” he said, “and when progress feels at its smallest, always remember that inches still move you forward.”

Watch Thibeault’s full speech here and read his complete remarks below.

Jake Thibeault’s Commencement Address

Well, two things …

The truth is out: I am not 6-5. And I cannot get over how accessible this stage is for the guy on wheels to get up here and speak to you. So, thank you for that!

To my classmates of ’26, our day has come.

Being up here today is something that I do not take lightly. Not because I have all the answers, or have mastered the art of business, or a balance sheet, or an income statement.

But, instead, because we have learned something about resilience, about what it means to continue moving forward, when the words of CHOOSING OUR JOURNEY flip to the JOURNEY CHOOSING US.

Babson has taught us that by being an entrepreneur we are bound to face uncertainty, but let’s be honest, uncertainty is found in all of life. Think about the uncertainty you had four years ago when you stepped foot on to this campus? Or the uncertainty of building a business in your first year? Or the uncertainty of what’s to come as we leave our mark here today?

My entire youth, I played hockey, certain that I would play college hockey. On September 4, 2021, I chased that goal right into the board, and, like everything I do, I hit it hard.

Two days later, I woke up.

Little did I know that paralysis was going to be part of my business plan. Turning to my doctor and saying, “I am ready to fight,” that promise leads me here today with an unbelievable group of friends, teammates, and classmates.

Keep in mind, that fight for me is not just in rehab but also in living the fullest life possible, especially my college life that Babson made possible.

What did Babson make possible for you? Was it welcoming us from all areas of the world? Giving us opportunities to grow personal goals and businesses?

We came to Babson to learn the ability in creating value. However, value is not just created in measuring revenue or market cap. But instead of measuring the change we make in others’ lives. No matter how big or small that is.

For example, there are days in my rehab where progress is measured in inches. Inches! Other days are measured in yards, but the progress continues to compound just like capital.

The ability to define our adversity and attack it with the greatest level of energy allows progress to never stop moving forward, being the best version of ourselves for those who need it.

Think about your most challenging moments that got you here today. We’ve all had to battle in different ways. Let me share how I deal with it.

My philosophy is there are no bad days. I don’t say this for me to sleep well at night, but because we all have at least one good moment every day.

Sometimes, it just takes a shift in perspective. Sometimes, just getting up in the morning and starting our days may be our good moment. But I encourage you to reflect on each day and find your moment.

Babson has taught us we must be resilient in finding these moments, but resilience is quiet. It is the decision to be what most people struggle to be: consistent. Consistent in the effort we bring to the betterment of the group. In doing so, we know that success comes with a great deal of commitment and sacrifice, but it does not always come with guarantees.

To my fellow classmates, we are stepping into a world that needs builders. As Babson graduates, we are builders of business, yes, but we must be builders of community and purpose as well!

We must take risks, be resilient, love our people fiercely, and when progress feels at its smallest, always remember that INCHES still move you forward.

We have all learned to identify opportunities in the world, but in my opinion, there is no better opportunity than finding it for others. I have been extremely blessed to be the recipient of such.

Hard, great things cannot be done alone, and I would especially like to thank Coach Rice, Mary Powell, Andy Mouhtino, my teammates, all staff, our faculty, our families, our friends, and (someone) who we all know and love, Jackie from Trim.

Class of 2026, go live life defining adversity, go live life with great energy, go live life as a leader, and the only disability is a negative mindset.

Most importantly, always remember there are NO BAD DAYS!

Congratulations to all!

Thank you!