Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of North Kingstown-based REGENT, will deliver the commencement address at IYRS School of Technology & Trades’ 28th annual Graduation & Launch Day on Saturday, May 30.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Restoration Hall at IYRS, 449 Thames St.
REGENT is pioneering maritime mobility through high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect craft called Seagliders, which combine the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat.
“It’s an honor to have Mr. Thalheimer join us as our graduation speaker,” IYRS President Kern Maass said. “REGENT’s work at the intersection of innovation and technology reflects the same curiosity, craftsmanship, and bold thinking we encourage in our students.”
Nearly 80 students will graduate this year, earning industry-recognized marine trade and advanced manufacturing certifications from organizations including the American Boat & Yacht Council, the National Marine Electronics Association, SOLIDWORKS, Mastercam and the American Composites Manufacturers Association.
The event doubles as a launch day for first- and second-year Boatbuilding & Restoration students, who will put boats they worked on all year into Newport Harbor. Five restored Beetle Cat sailboats will be launched, bringing the total of IYRS-restored Beetle Cats to 179. One was returned to its owners, while others have been sold or will be raffled to support the school.
Second-year students will launch two Herreshoff 12 1/2s that will join a newly formed all-female 12 1/2 racing fleet in Newport Harbor.
Many graduates are heading to Rhode Island-based employers, including Safe Harbor Marinas and Hinckley Yachts.
Marine Systems graduate Tyler Hess will work at Paradise Yacht Management in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He is one of 55 students expected to graduate from the Marine Systems program this year.
Composites Technology graduate Blake Reynolds is opening a composites shop with his brother in North Carolina. Classmates Will Boyd and Justin Nutting will start at Ocean State Composites in Bristol, and Anthony Desirello is heading to FMI in Woonsocket.
Digital Modeling & Fabrication graduate Nick Yeung, who came to IYRS as a gap year student, plans to pursue a mechanical engineering degree in the fall.
First-year Boatbuilding & Restoration student Eloise Brant will travel to The Wooden Boat Shop in Sorrento, Australia, for her externship between years one and two of the program. Ian Dunton will work at Bristol Marine in Boothbay, Maine, after graduation. He is one of nine students graduating from the program this year, with 13 enrolled in the first-year class.
Retired military veteran Rupert Daniel, a graduate of both the Marine Systems and Composites Technology programs, plans to travel through Europe on his boat using a dive platform he built as his composites capstone project. School officials said he is one example of a student taking multiple programs across marine trades and advanced manufacturing.
In 2024, IYRS reported an average graduate employment rate higher than 87% across its four full-time programs. The school’s career services department connects students with more than 500 hiring partners and more than 40 industry partners.
Nearly 80% of IYRS students receive financial assistance, according to the school.
Founded in 1993 as the International Yacht Restoration School, IYRS is a nonprofit, post-secondary institution offering four ACCSC-accredited programs. Graduates pursue careers in marine, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, wind energy and composites industries.
More information about the ceremony is available at iyrs.edu/events/graduation.
