Building wings at the Stoling Ceremony
Mount Holyoke College held its twenty-second annual Stoling Ceremony for graduating students of color, with the theme “We Built Wings Here.”
Graduating Mount Holyoke College students of color were honored at the twenty-second annual Stoling Ceremony on May 22, 2026, in Chapin Auditorium.
Organized by the SGA Students of Color Committee and the office of Community and Belonging, 148 students were registered for the event. Families, supporters and friends packed the auditorium to cheer and applaud the students. The theme for this year’s event was “We Built Wings Here.”
“‘We Built Wings Here’ captures the essence of the journey — the transition from grounded aspiration to the steady flight of achievement,” said Latrina Denson, associate dean of students and executive director of community and belonging. “This ceremony is more than a rite of passage: It’s a visual testament to the resilience, the brilliance and the community of students of color.”
Oluwafadeyemi Testimony Akinkuolie-Ibidapo ’27, one of the student organizers, spoke about the significance and the history of the event. “We celebrate the collective strength of this community.”
President Danielle R. Holley also gave remarks. “I have to say that the Stoling Ceremony is one of my favorite things that happens during Commencement weekend, because it is an example of the most remarkable aspects of the Mount Holyoke education: our dedication to a diverse and inclusive community, our deep commitment to mentoring students, and the strong lifelong relationships that form between faculty and students,” she said. “Our students, faculty and staff are particularly sincere and caring. This might be a result of our historical roots as a place of inclusion for those who have been historically excluded. Perhaps it’s the result of almost 200 years of lessons learned that when you invite people in, everyone benefits.”
President Holley reminded the assembled students and attendees, “What we’re doing tonight is illegal in many places.” The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has labeled affinity graduation ceremonies, along with all race-conscious student programming, resources and financial aid, illegal and threatened to investigate and rescind federal funding for any institution that does not comply.
She continued, “There are places all over this country that have canceled this exact ceremony, so we celebrate you. We celebrate our values.”
Alum W. Rochelle Calhoun ’83 P’13 also shared words of wisdom and encouragement with the students. “I was lucky enough to be a part of the Mount Holyoke College staff when this tradition began 22 years ago,” she said, wearing the stole she was given at the inaugural ceremony.
“You did not come to Mount Holyoke empty-handed, and you will not leave empty-handed, but you will leave well-equipped,” she continued. “While you most certainly inhabit this space on the hopes, prayers and dreams of your ancestors, which they laid before you, you red pegasi took every opportunity to build your own wings and are now ready to soar.”
During the ceremony, students each received a stole to wear at Commencement and publicly recognized their mentors at the College. Meredith Coleman-Tobias, assistant professor of religion and spiritual director of the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center, closed the evening with a ceremony of blessing.
The College stole was designed to symbolize the connection between student and mentor. It features a swatch of Kente cloth or satin cloth embroidered with “MHC” and three symbols: a diamond representing wealth and knowledge, a key symbolizing access to knowledge, and a spool representing leadership and unity.
