Descriptive Transcript:

The video begins with a shot of the back of an undergraduate student's shoulder and head. He is looking away from the camera and is wearing a cap and gown, along with other graduation regalia. At that moment, the text "Brandeis 2026 Undergraduate Commencement" appears in white.

A quick flashlight fades in the video, and we see wide shots of a group of students walking together to form the graduation line on the campus soccer field. In the background, a reflective and inspiring song plays. Quick shots matching the beat of the music show students gathering, hugging each other, smiling, and posing for the camera. Shots of decorated, colorful mortarboards appear. 

Now, we can see wide shots of the students walking in a line on green grass towards the commencement place, with blossoming trees in the background. The students are excited and smiling. We see a student fist-bumping another student and students entering the location. Then, flashlights appear, and we see an establishing shot of the commencement location packed with family and friends.

First, we see the faculty walking to their seats, followed by the undergraduate students. Several students take their seats while a brass band plays music. A long shot shows the seated audience. We hear Lisa R. Kranc ’77, the chair of the university's board, give her speech. She mentions, "As of this afternoon, you will have completed your undergraduate education." We see her on camera now, and the students are happy with her words. They applauded.

Brandeis University President Arthur Levine appears on the podium and says, "Our hopes and dreams are with you. We desperately need you to repair the world, build a new one, and make it better than it is today." The camera shows excited students watching his speech. Levine finishes, "Congratulations to all of you." The students applaud.

The video then cuts to Khimaya Bagla ’26. As the undergraduate student speaker of the event, she acknowledges the amazing faculty at Brandeis for their support, but also recognizes the importance of peer mentorship. She tells the audience: "That's what Brandeis teaches: It's not just that we are capable of more than we imagined; it's also that this courage is sustained by the people who step in: The people who check on you; the ones who run review sessions; the ones who bring coffee at midnight; and the ones who say, 'We've got you.'” We see the audience paying attention to her from different angles. She concludes, "So, Class of 2026, congratulations! Thank you.” The students then stand to applaud and celebrate the moment with her. 

The video cuts with a flashlight transition that blinks, and we now see scenes of students in line to receive their diplomas and walk across the stage. Some wave to family members and a professor hugs a student. Everyone shakes hands with President Levine and the university's board members. They celebrate with their diplomas in hand. Finally, they all throw their caps in the air. The video ends with the Brandeis logo, and the music fades down. End of video.