Alumni Speakers Reflect on Gratitude, Connection, and Community at Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate keynote Alexander Haimann ’04 delivered reflections on the lasting impact of faculty mentorship, friendship, and gratitude, while Ian Perkins ’05, president of the Cranbrook Kingswood Alumni Association, formally welcomed the graduating class into the alumni community.

Introduced by Director of Schools Dr. Jeff Suzik, Haimann reflected on his own Cranbrook experience beginning at Brookside and continuing through the Upper School, sharing stories about the teachers who shaped his intellectual and personal growth along the way. Throughout his remarks, he emphasized that the defining strength of a Cranbrook education is not simply the campus or traditions, but the people — particularly the faculty members who guide students during formative years of their lives.

Haimann spoke warmly about numerous faculty members who influenced him as a student, recalling lessons that extended far beyond academics and relationships that continued long after graduation. He encouraged seniors to remain fully engaged during their final weeks together, reminding them that they would never again have their entire class gathered together in quite the same way after commencement.

He also shared a series of observations about life beyond Cranbrook, speaking about curiosity, meaningful connections, first impressions, and generosity toward others.

The strongest theme throughout his remarks, however, was gratitude. Haimann described gratitude not simply as a feeling, but as a practice that had shaped both his life and career. He explained that his long-standing tradition of returning annually for Cranbrook graduation ceremonies began as a way to ensure he never missed the opportunity to thank the teachers who had such a profound influence on his life.

Perkins followed by welcoming the Class of 2026 as Cranbrook’s newest alumni. Reflecting on the strength of the alumni community, he described the network as one built on shared experiences, lasting relationships, and continued support long after graduation.

Drawing on his own experience with the Cranbrook Kingswood Wilderness Expedition, Perkins shared how the program helped shape his understanding of leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. A longtime Wilderness leader and guide, Perkins noted that this year marked his 24th consecutive Wilderness Expedition — a tradition that began during his own years as a student.

Perkins encouraged graduates to remain connected to the school and to one another, explaining that alumni engagement often begins simply through maintaining relationships and offering time, mentorship, and support to future generations of students. He described alumni involvement as taking many forms, including giving “time, talent, or treasure,” and encouraged the seniors to view graduation not as leaving Cranbrook behind, but as entering a new phase of their relationship with the school community.