Old Dominion University Celebrates Leadership and Legacy at 144th Commencement Exercises

By Jonah Grinkewitz, Virginia Hilton and Robyn Sidersky 

More than 3,000 students joined the ranks of Monarch alumni, representing a global network of nearly 200,000 strong, during Old Dominion University’s 144th Commencement Exercises this weekend, May 15-16. 

Family members, loved ones and close friends cheered on their graduates at ceremonies across campus, recognizing the hard work and tremendous success achieved during their journeys at Old Dominion University. 

More than 2,000 students gathered for the Main Undergraduate Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The event celebrated graduates of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University , Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, the Strome College of Business, the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Sciences, the Joint School of Public Health at Old Dominion University, in partnership with Norfolk State University, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science. 

"Commencement is a special time to celebrate the educational achievements and personal milestones of our newest Monarch alumni," said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. "As we reflect on this special time in the life of the Class of 2026 and the storied history of Old Dominion University, we do so as a caring community with strong support for our campus, our community, our commonwealth and beyond." 

During the ceremony, the University bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Business upon Bryan K. Stephens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber and a U.S. Army veteran. Dr. Stephens served as the featured keynote speaker. 

Highlighting that nearly 30% of the University student body is military-affiliated, Dr. Stephens shared how his own time in the service shaped a major turning point in his life. He admitted to the graduates that, early in his career, he was laser-focused on personal achievement, but found himself unfulfilled and achieving only mediocrity. Everything changed, he noted, when he experienced a profound paradigm shift and embraced a framework built on three simple words: grace, gratitude and giving. 

Dr. Stephens challenged the Class of 2026 to rise above a world often filled with division and outrage by becoming people of grace. "Grace is developed in the small moments — how you treat the waiter, the cashier, your coworkers, your family and the people who can do nothing for you in return," Dr. Stephens said. "In its simplest form, grace is treating people the way you want to be treated." 

He also urged the graduates to cultivate gratitude by shifting their focus toward their blessings and dedicating their lives to giving. "You cannot live a life of significance, while living only for yourself," he said. "You simply cannot be selfish and significant at the same time." 

In closing, Dr. Stephens left the historic class with a final charge: "Live with grace — be someone people trust and respect. Live with gratitude — never lose sight of how blessed you are. Live with giving — pour into others and watch your life expand in ways you never imagined. If you do that, you won’t just build a career. You will build a legacy.” 

The University also bestowed a posthumous Honorary Doctor of Public Service to Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah (B.S. ’07) recognizing his distinguished service, leadership and lasting impact. His wife, Katherine Shah, received a standing ovation from a near capacity audience at S.B. Ballard Stadium as she accepted the honor on his behalf. The deeply moving moment exemplified the University's profound appreciation for Lt. Col. Shah’s heroism and his legacy. 

Undergraduate College and School Ceremonies 

Immediately following the Main Undergraduate Ceremony, the newly minted graduates participated in college and school ceremonies. At each ceremony, graduates crossed the stage and celebrated their individual achievements with their closest peers, faculty mentors, families and friends. 

• S.B. Ballard Stadium was the campus location for the Strome College of Business, the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Sciences. 

• Chartway Arena was the campus location for the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science. 

• Kaufman Mall was the campus location for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University’s Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Ellmer School of Nursing and the Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk State University. 

Graduate Degree Celebrations 

Commencement weekend began Friday, May 15, highlighting medical degrees and advanced degrees at two separate celebrations. 

Doctor of Medicine Ceremony 

141 medical students of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University took center stage as graduates at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in Chartway Arena. This ceremony honored the Doctor of Medicine candidates, with Michael Joseph Bono, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), serving as the main speaker. Dr. Bono distilled advice to the new physicians reflecting upon his own distinguished 39-year career in emergency medicine. 

“Medicine is tough sometimes,” said Dr. Bono explaining the long hours, challenging cases and difficult demands of being a physician. “Do your best all the time. Do the right thing medically, even when you don’t want to." 

Fourteen medical students participated in a “family hooding” during the ceremony. A long-standing medical school tradition, family members with ties to EVMS were invited to hood graduates on stage — a symbolic gesture marking the transition from medical school to professional practice, while honoring the legacy of healthcare professionals who came before them. 

Dr. Bono closed his remarks by encouraging graduates to remember the people who helped them reach the milestone. “Do not forget those who helped you get to this day,” he said. “Thank them. Hug them. Tell them how much they mean to you.” 

Advanced Degree Ceremony 

On Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m., commencement festivities were held at Chartway Arena with the Advanced Degree Ceremony, where more than 900 students celebrated earning their education specialist, master’s and doctoral degrees. The ceremony included graduate students from all colleges and schools, including Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University. 

The near capacity arena was filled with cheering families and friends as graduates proudly crossed the stage celebrating their educational achievements. 

Bruce L. Rubin, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of Strome College of Business’s Department of Finance, addressed the Class of 2026. Dr. Rubin referenced the 1964 Bob Dylan song “The Times They Are A-Changin’” to illustrate the shift to artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact. 

“We are in the midst of profound socioeconomic change,” he said. “The world is shifting. Technologies that seemed like science fiction two years ago are now being integrated into our daily lives.” 

Dr. Rubin then reflected on the changes over his parents’ lifetime and his own, before exploring what the future might look like for the graduates in their lifetime. He gave them three takeaways to consider for a world with artificial intelligence (AI). First, he told them to learn the tools, but don’t trust them blindly. Second, he urged them to protect their ability to think. Finally, he reminded them to “remember the human consequences.” 

“AI can generate answers. But, it cannot decide which answers matter. That responsibility still belongs to you,” Dr. Rubin told the graduates calling them to use their education at a higher level. “Your value was never just in producing answers. Your value is in evaluating them. As you go forward, make sure the future we build is not just intelligent, but wise.” 

As the weekend celebrations concluded across campus, graduates left surrounded by cheers and hugs, beginning the next chapter of their journeys as Monarch alumni.  

“I wish each and every one of you best wishes for a prosperous and successful life,” said President Hemphill.