A variety of esteemed speakers, educational staff, and student representatives will participate in Commencement acknowledgment events for the Class of 2025 graduates, along with their families and guests, occurring from May 9-12 at Washington University in St. Louis.

Simone Biles, the most celebrated gymnast in history, will present the universitywide Commencement speech, set to commence at 9 a.m. on May 12 at Francis Olympic Field.

Additional speakers and ceremonies consist of:

Friday, May 9

Nicquet Blake, vice provost for student academic affairs and dean of the graduate division at the University of California, San Francisco, for Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences programs, at 9:30 a.m. in the 560 Music Center.

The hooding festival for McKelvey PhD candidates is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Athletic Complex varsity gym. A festive reception will follow immediately in the Anheuser Bush Dining Room at Knight Hall.

Darrell Williams, MA ’86, PhD ’91, an economist, educator, and entrepreneur who provides guidance to corporations and government agencies, for the Arts & Sciences graduate hooding and recognition ceremony at 3 p.m. in Graham Chapel. Student speakers will include Jennifer Beatty, a doctoral candidate in psychological and brain sciences, and Ellen Schaaf, a master’s degree candidate in theater and performance studies.

Kerri Morgan, an associate professor in occupational therapy and neurology at WashU Medicine, for graduate programs in Applied Health Behavior Research, Data Science and Biostatistics, Clinical Investigation, Genetic Counseling, Medical Physics, Population Health Sciences, and Predoctoral Clinical Research (TL1) at WashU Medicine, at 4 p.m. in the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Medical Campus.

Saturday, May 10

David Karandish, BS ’05, founder and CEO of Capacity, a St. Louis-based company that connects AI-driven support automation platforms to enterprises, for the McKelvey School of Engineering, at 11 a.m. on Francis Olympic Field. The student speaker is Emilia Santana, a candidate for a bachelor’s in chemical engineering.

Jenifer Lewis, actress, author, singer, and activist, for the Brown School ceremony, at 3:30 p.m. in the Field House. The student speaker is Nwaliweaku (Nwali) Anidi, pursuing a master’s in public health.

Sunday, May 11

John R. Green, AB ’90, president and senior executive producer of 10/10 Twins Productions, for the Arts & Sciences undergraduate ceremony, at 8:30 a.m. on Francis Olympic Field. The student speaker is John Yeldham, a candidate for a bachelor’s in environmental policy and Spanish with a minor in anthropology.

Artist Ebony G. Patterson, MFA ’06, a 2024 MacArthur ‘genius grant’ laureate, for the Sam Fox School ceremony, at 2:30 p.m. in the Athletic Complex varsity gym. Student speakers will include Maddie Baker, a master’s candidate in fine arts in illustration and visual culture, and Ceci Gutierrez, a candidate for a bachelor’s in architecture.

Alan Feit, BSBA ’97, president of Feit Electric, for the Olin Business School undergraduate event, at 5:30 p.m. in the Field House. The student speaker is Arushi Ranasaria, a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in finance with a minor in environmental analysis.

Monday, May 12

Bob Wiltenburg, former dean of University College, for the School of Continuing & Professional Studies ceremony in Graham Chapel, at 11:30 a.m.

Stefanie Lindquist, the Nickerson Dean of the School of Law, for the School of Law ceremony, at 11:30 a.m. in the Field House. The faculty speaker is Russell K. Osgood, a law professor at the School of Law. Student speakers include Jason Shefferman, a JD candidate; and Frank Okoro, a candidate for a master’s in law.

Audiology and Communication Sciences programs at WashU Medicine, at 1:30 p.m. in Eric P. Newman Education Center, Medical Campus.

Program in Physical Therapy at WashU Medicine, at 1:30 p.m. at the Chase Park Plaza hotel.

Sarah Adam, an assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator in occupational science and occupational therapy at Saint Louis University, for the Program in Occupational Therapy at WashU Medicine, at 1:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel.

Rochelle Walensky, MD, infectious disease expert, public health advocate, and researcher who previously directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the Doctor of Medicine program ceremony for WashU Medicine, at 3 p.m. in the Stifel Theatre.

Lal Karsanbhai, MBA ’95, president and CEO of Emerson, for the Olin Business School graduate ceremony, at 4:30 p.m. in the Field House. The student speaker is Daniel Sullivan, a master’s in business administration candidate.

For further information about other ceremony specifics, please visit the Commencement webpage.

The article Speakers scheduled for schools’ Commencement celebrations first appeared on The Source.