Ahead of Elon University’s 136th Commencement on May 22, 2026, Today at Elon is highlighting several graduating seniors who have made the most of their Elon experience.
For almost a decade, the Hart family has been a familiar name in the Department of Environmental Studies and across campus. This spring, that chapter will end as MaryKate Hart ’26, the fourth and final Hart sister to graduate from Elon, will graduate and leave a family legacy on campus.’
Originally Hart wanted to do her own thing and not attend Elon, but once she was accepted, she became more excited about Elon than any of her other schools.
Her decision was shaped by the path forged by her sisters, Kathleen ’19, Maggie ’21 and Emily ’23. For one year, MaryKate even shared campus with Emily, making the transition to college easier.
“We saw each other every day,” MaryKate said. “I would go with her after class to hang out with her friends and we became close to each other’s friends. My sisters and I have an unbreakable bond.”
MaryKate, an environmental studies major, followed in her sister’s footsteps. Three of the four Hart sisters were environmental studies majors. Although for the Hart sisters, environmental studies was not just an academic interest, it was part of their upbringing.
“Our whole family has been involved in environmental issues our entire lives,” Hart said. “My dad worked in politics on the Clean Water Act in Boston, and we would spend weekends going to events related to that.”
When MaryKate started college, she was not sure if she wanted to major in environmental studies, but a first-year environmental science lab changed everything.
“I loved every part of that class,” MaryKate said. “There was just so much to learn, and the professors were so hands on.”
She became involved, serving as a teaching assistant for the course, taking on hands-on learning opportunities and gaining experience outside of the classroom.
A defining experience in her college career was her work at Loy Farm, where she joined the core team leading construction to help build a tiny home from the ground up.
“I never thought I would build a house,” MaryKate said. “At first, it was a daunting task. I didn’t know how to use some of the tools, but I quickly realized construction was something I wanted to pursue. It was so exciting to go to work every day because we were learning new things and it was such a different experience being outside of the classroom.”
Robert Charest, associate professor of environmental studies, served as a mentor teaching MaryKate and the students how to use tools and construct the house. Everything from start to finish in the home was built by MaryKate and the other students.
The Hart family has created a sense of legacy within the Department of Environmental Studies.
“It’s always exciting when one of my professors has had one of my sisters,” MaryKate said. “I’ll hear about projects they worked on, and then realize the same projects are going on today. I’ll talk to my sisters about something I’m working on, and they’ll say, ‘Oh, I worked on that too,’. It’s really cool to see how projects continue and grow. When I have a question I go to my sisters because there’s a good chance they had experience with it on campus.”
Michael Strickland, assistant teaching professor of environmental studies and English, taught MaryKate in her senior seminar class and recalls his familiarity with the family. When Strickland met MaryKate, he showed her a photo of Kathleen dressed up as Strickland for a skit she did in her first year class.
“I especially knew MK’s oldest sister, Kathleen, and she was in several classes with me,” Strickland said. “They have all been great students, focused, engaged and enthusiastic. Each one is different, but they have all made a strong impression on campus. MaryKate has a confidence level that you don’t necessarily learn in college. She is passionate about the field but is also realistic and grounded. She is easy going but takes charge when needed. I like to think some of that comes from the influence of her older sisters and their experiences at Elon.”
Hart credits her growth to the mentorship she received from faculty, particularly those who encouraged her to take on responsibility early.
Closing a chapter
As graduation approaches, MaryKate reflects on what it means to be the last in her family to attend Elon.
“Elon has been a part of not only my sister’s lives, but my parent’s lives, for 11 years,” MaryKate said. “It’s exciting that we have all made it through and pursued what we wanted, but it’s also a little heartbreaking to leave.”
This will be felt during commencement, when the entire Hart family returns to campus one final time.
“It will be a big last hurrah for my family and a chance to say goodbye to a place that’s meant so much to all of us,” MaryKate said.
After graduation, MaryKate will work as a project engineer at Suffolk Construction, where her sister, Maggie, works as a superintendent.