Approximately 2,600 associate degrees and certificates were awarded by Washtenaw Community College President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca at WCC's 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday.
As WCC celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Class of 2026 joins nearly 60,000 alumni who have earned over 89,000 degrees and certificates over the college’s six decades.
Melissa Bruzzano, who is earning an associate degree in Environmental Sciences with a 4.0 grade point average, addressed classmates as the student speaker.
Beth Marshall, an Early Childhood Education instructor who brings more than 40 years of experience as a classroom teacher, center director and trainer, spoke on behalf of the faculty.
Each year, the college also honors an individual for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of WCC and its mission.
This year's Honorary Associate Degree in Community Service was awarded to Bhushan Kulkarni.
Kulkarni has spent more than three decades building and leading technology companies and is deeply committed to the community.
For decades, he has dedicated his time, leadership and philanthropy to organizations, including Saline Area Schools, the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and Ann Arbor SPARK, supporting economic development, education, and opportunity.
He serves as board co-chair of the Michigan Founders Fund, a group of entrepreneurs and investors working to grow high-impact startups and strengthen civic leadership across Michigan’s startup community.
At WCC, Kulkarni has been a passionate advocate for students and the institution. He joined the WCC Foundation Board of Directors in 2018 and served as board chair from 2023 to 2025. His family established an endowed scholarship that will support students in perpetuity, and he continues to invest in the next wave of innovators through his work with the WCC Entrepreneurship Center.
A livestreamed recording of the ceremony, held at Eastern Michigan University’s George Gervin GameAbove Center, may be viewed at wccnet.edu/graduation.
Tags: Commencement, Graduation