Graduation Speakers Light Up Mississippi Universities in 2026

Mississippi’s graduation season is fast approaching, and each campus has lined up a mix of leaders, scholars, and celebrities to inspire new graduates. Alcorn State University will open its ceremony on May 9 with Pelicia E. Hall, the executive vice president of ViaPath Technologies, who will share insights from her regulatory career. Belhaven University spreads its celebrations over two days—May 1 and May 2—featuring Billy Kim, a Korean pastor and media figure who has advised former presidents of South Korea. Blue Mountain Christian University starts on May 9 with speaker Rosemary Mace from Connecticut, while Delta State University spreads its events across May 7 and 8. The campus’s president, Daniel J. Ennis, will address the class in a personal speech that reflects the university’s mission. Jackson State University offers a trio of voices: researcher Jelani C. Zarif, Emmy‑winning actor Tramell Tillman, and psychologist Jasmin Searcy‑Pate. Their talks will run over May 1 and 2, giving students a range of perspectives on career and community.Millsaps College takes a unique approach by having the recipient of its Founders Medal—an award for top academic achievement—deliver a keynote‑style address. The student’s name is revealed during the May 9 ceremony, underscoring a celebration of peer excellence. Mississippi College honors its own alumnus, Dr. Joe Hamilton, a 1954 graduate who helped discover element 117. He will speak on May 8, bridging the gap between historic achievements and future possibilities for students. Mississippi State University’s May 14‑15 ceremonies feature President Mark E. Keenum, whose leadership insights are expected to resonate with graduates stepping into the workforce or further studies. The University of Mississippi, on May 9, will welcome country star Brett Young, a former Ole Miss athlete, whose music and athletic background offer a relatable narrative for many graduates. The University of Southern Mississippi plans to keep the focus on internal leaders, with its president and faculty addressing students over a two‑day schedule that starts May 15. William Carey University, spread across May 7 and 8, will similarly rely on university leadership to guide its graduates toward future success.