Spring 2026 Degree Celebration speakers

In addition to the Spring 2026 Commencement on Thursday, May 14, graduates may also choose to attend their college’s degree celebration. Here’s a look at the keynote speakers for each event.  

Thursday, May 14, 2026  

2 p.m. College of Public Health 

Keynote: J. Stephen Jones, President and CEO of Inova. A board-certified practicing urological surgeon and professor of surgery at the University of Virginia, he has served as leader of Inova since 2018. 

6:30 p.m. College of Science 

Keynote: Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. Read, currently in her second term, was elected as the first woman and the first George Mason graduate to lead the university’s hometown in 2022.   

Friday, May 15, 2026  

9:30 a.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business 

Keynote: Bruce Caswell, President and CEO of the Tyson-based government contractor Maximus.  

11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution 

Keynote: Bridget Moix, a passionate Quaker peace activist, advocate, scholar, practitioner, and mother. She serves as the fifth general secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. 

2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing I: Volgenau School of Engineering 

Keynote: Dora Smith, senior director of Future Workforce Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software.  

6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing II: Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing 

Keynote: Gary Pan, former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. 

Saturday, May 16, 2026  

9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development 

Keynote: Edward (Ted) Kwartler, managing director of Americas Practice Lead for Advanced AI at Accenture.  

1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School 

Keynote: Luke Nichols, criminal defense attorney and founder of the popular YouTube channel Outdoor Boys, JD ’09.  

2 p.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

Keynote: Brian van de Graaff, co-host and travel correspondent for ABC7’s Good Morning Washington, BA Communication ’97. 

6:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government  

Keynote: Saddam Salim, Virginia Senator for Fairfax City, parts of Fairfax County, and Falls Church City, MPA ’15