A photo of a man wearing a suit and tie sitting in front of the U.S. and Virginia State flags.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin will speak at VCU’s universitywide spring commencement ceremony on May 11. (Contributed photo)

March 25, 2024

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be VCU’s May commencement speaker

The governor will address the Class of 2024 at the universitywide ceremony on May 11.

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By Mike Porter

Glenn Youngkin, the 74th governor of Virginia, will be Virginia Commonwealth University’s spring commencement speaker.

“VCU welcomes the 74th governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, to VCU to speak to our Class of 2024 graduates, who are the next generation of workers, creators and innovators,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “We appreciate Governor Youngkin’s commitment to growing Virginia’s workforce and its connection with higher education. As the state’s university in our capital city, VCU is a vital part of Richmond and of Virginia, and we’re proud of our strong connection with the commonwealth, the support we receive from the commonwealth and its leadership.”

Prior to being inaugurated as governor in January 2022, Youngkin worked at The Carlyle Group for 25 years, serving as co-CEO. He holds undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and managerial studies from Rice University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Youngkin is the latest sitting governor to address VCU graduates at commencement. Past gubernatorial speakers include Terence R. McAuliffe (2015), Robert F. McDonnell (2011), Timothy M. Kaine (2008), Mark R. Warner (2004), James S. Gilmore III (1999) and George Allen (1997).

VCU’s universitywide commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St., Richmond, Va. 23219. The event will be livestreamed at www.vcu.edu.

For more information, including department ceremonies and an RSVP link for new graduates, visit commencement.vcu.edu.