Announcing our 2026 Commencement Speaker
Dear students and colleagues,
In less than a month, we will gather at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Friday, May 15 for Commencement, to celebrate our graduating Wildcats and all they have achieved. We have many important traditions at the U of A. Among all the festivities that take place on our beautiful campus, our Commencement Ceremony is particularly meaningful for our students, their friends and family, as well as our faculty and staff, who have supported their journey.
It is my pleasure to announce that Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google, co-founder of Schmidt Sciences, and leading architect in the era of Artificial Intelligence, will be this year’s Commencement speaker.
Few leaders have played a more defining role in shaping the future and advancing scientific frontiers through private investment, philanthropic giving, and private-public partnership.
Earlier this year, Schmidt Sciences announced the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System, one space and three ground-based observatories that aim to accelerate scientific discovery through innovative technology and open access to time and data. Schmidt Sciences is partnering with the U of A as a key collaborator on Lazuli – the world's first fully privately funded space telescope. By combining the U of A's leadership in precision exoplanet imaging with Schmidt Sciences' emphasis on rapid innovation, this collaboration will help accelerate a new era of space exploration.
I can think of no one better to give our Class of 2026 a proper send-off, as his career and enduring legacy of innovation match our commitment to success for every student and research that shapes the future. His story will inspire our students to succeed and lead in a rapidly changing world.
Eric will receive an honorary Doctor of Science from the U of A College of Science. Four other distinguished individuals also will receive honorary degrees: Alice Chaiten Baker, Gabrielle Giffords, F. Ronald Rayner, and Scott Stuber. More information on this year’s honorees is available from University News.
For more details about this year’s festivities, visit the 2026 Commencement website.
Best wishes,
Suresh