Notre Dame announced yesterday that Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman and acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will deliver the commencement address for the class of 2025's graduation. The commencement ceremony will be held May 18.
A 1984 Notre Dame graduate, Grady is currently the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. He has also been recognized by the U.S. Navy as the longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty. Grady was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021 to became vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He became acting chairman on Feb. 21 after President Trump fired then chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.
Grady's selection is not without precedent. Notre Dame's 2016 commencement speaker was Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In a press release, University President Fr. Bob Dowd said, “A true American hero, Admiral Grady has demonstrated tremendous courage, visionary leadership and outstanding dedication to public service over his distinguished career, which spans more than 40 years. It is a privilege to have him address our graduates who will, no doubt, be inspired both by his words and by his example.”
The commencement address will be Grady’s second speech on campus this academic year. In September, he spoke on peacebuilding and diplomacy in conversation with former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See and former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly as part of the 2024-2025 Notre Dame Forum, “What do we owe each other?”
According to the press release, Grady “continues to give back to his alma mater, supporting Notre Dame’s fencing team … mentoring the University’s Naval ROTC unit, and serving as a guest speaker for Notre Dame’s International Security Center.”
The announcement was made over two months later than last year. In 2024, Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees selected outgoing University President Fr. John Jenkins to deliver the commencement address, a decision that drew criticism from some students.
This year, students and members of the Notre Dame community argued for and against inviting President Donald Trump to speak at commencement.
A number of former presidents have spoken at Notre Dame graduation ceremonies, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
In 2017, then University President Fr. John Jenkins did not invite the newly elected Trump to speak, opting instead to invite Vice President Mike Pence, who delivered the address.
In 2021, Jenkins invited Biden to speak at commencement, but he declined.
