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

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

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