Simone Biles, generally acclaimed as one of the finest athletes in history, is set to present the 2025 Commencement speech at Washington University in St. Louis, as per Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Martin revealed this information during a toast on Monday, March 31, in Brookings Quadrangle to the Class of 2025, encompassing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree candidates.

The institution’s 164th Commencement event is scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 12, at Francis Olympic Field on the Danforth Campus.

During the event, Biles will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. She is anticipated to address over 3,400 members of the Class of 2025 along with their friends and family.

“I am pleased to announce that Simone Biles, an iconic athlete and role model, will speak to the graduates of the WashU Class of 2025 and their guests during Commencement,” Martin stated.

“As the most lauded gymnast in history, Simone’s excellence on the mat is well established. However, what is even more commendable is her advocacy off the mat, championing issues such as athletes’ mental health, children in foster care, and victims of sexual assault.

“Simone exemplifies the strength of living life on one’s own conditions with tenacity, resilience, and elegance. I trust that she will motivate our graduates as they embark on their personal paths to success.”

Martin further disclosed the five additional honorary degree recipients as well as the honorary grand marshal for the Commencement ceremony:

• Jenifer Lewis, actress in movies, television, and Broadway, affectionately called “The Mother of Black Hollywood,” a two-time author, St. Louis native, and community advocate, Doctor of Fine Arts;
• Paula C. Riney, a long-time philanthropist and co-founder of The Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, which funds scientific research on multiple myeloma and related cancers, Doctor of Humanities;
• Roger O. Riney, founder and previous CEO of the discount brokerage Scottrade and co-founder of The Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, Doctor of Humanities;
• Rochelle Walensky, MD, a WashU alumna, previous director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and one of the leading physician-scientists globally, Doctor of Science;
• Jess B. Yawitz, a WashU alumnus, founder, and retired chair and CEO of NISA Investment Advisors, Doctor of Business; and
• Honorary Grand Marshal Stuart Greenbaum, the Bank of America Professor Emeritus of Managerial Leadership and former dean of Olin Business School.

During the class toast, Martin also introduced the two graduating students chosen to deliver speeches at the ceremony. Senior Elijah Darden, a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in psychological and brain sciences from Arts & Sciences, was selected as the undergraduate student speaker by a committee composed of students, faculty, and staff after an application process.

Vijay Ramani, vice provost for graduate education and the Roma B. & Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished University Professor at the McKelvey School of Engineering, chose Kendall Burks as the graduate student speaker. Burks is pursuing both a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Washington University’s Medical Scientist Training Program.

The Commencement ceremony will be succeeded by a festival, extending from Francis Field on the western end of the Danforth Campus to Tisch Park on the eastern end. The festival will include lawn games, photo booths, live performances, and cuisine from St. Louis restaurants.

For additional details regarding Commencement, please visit the Commencement website.

About Simone Biles

Regarded as the most honored gymnast in history, Biles boasts 41 medals from World Championships and the Olympic Games, holding the record for the most World Championship medals (30, with 23 of them being gold) in gymnastics history. As a three-time Olympian, her collection of 11 Olympic medals, including seven gold, represents the highest achievement by a U.S. gymnast.

A three-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and an Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, she possesses the rare honor of having five skills named after her — The Biles — within the beam, floor, and vault categories.

Biles’ remarkable achievements have been widely acknowledged, including recognition as the youngest recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, inclusion in Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” Ebony Power 100, People’s “Women Changing the World,” USA Today’s “100 Women of the Century,” and recognition as a CNN Hero, among others.

Her autobiography, “Courage to Soar,” became a New York Times bestseller and inspired an award-winning television special on Lifetime, while her Snap Originals series, “Daring Simone Biles,” won an NAACP Image Award.

As an ambassador for Friends of the Children, Biles leverages her platform to advocate for change and support initiatives that offer education and aid for children and young adults linked to adoption, foster care, and general wellness.

The article Simone Biles to give WashU’s 164th Commencement address was first published on The Source.