---
title: "Speakers & Honorees"
date: 2026-04-08T13:00:00-04:00
author: apccello
canonical_url: "https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees"
section: Pages
---
# Speakers & Honorees

**Speakers & Honorees**




- **Darryll J. Pines, President, University of Maryland** <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/special-message-president-pines>
- **Dr. Jeanette Epps** — NASA astronaut, Dr. Jeanette Epps, spoke at the 2026 main commencement ceremony. <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/speaker>
- **Courtney Clark Pastrick** <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/honorary-degree-cardin>
- **Johnny Holliday** <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/honorary-degree-the-honorable-c-a-dutch-ruppersberger>
- **Jason Laucel ’26** <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/student-speaker>
- **Noora Ghahremani ’26** <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/university-medalist>
- **Bert Williams ’96** — The University of Maryland Alumni Association President Bert Williams ’96&#039;s message to the graduating class of 2026. <https://commencement.umd.edu/main-ceremony/speakers-honorees/message-alumni-association-president>
- **Senior Marshals** — Eighty six graduating University of Maryland students have been named 2026 senior marshals in recognition of their outstanding scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement and personal growth. <https://today.umd.edu/86-graduates-honored-as-senior-marshals>