Admiral James Stavridis to Give Inspiring Commencement Speech at American University

Admiral James Stavridis to Address American University's Class of 2025

American University is excited to announce that Admiral James Stavridis will be the keynote speaker for the fall commencement ceremony scheduled for December 14, 2025, on campus. Following his exceptional service and leadership, Admiral Stavridis will also receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

"Admiral Stavridis's impressive career embodies the principled and visionary leadership that we value at American University," stated AU President Jonathan Alger. His commitment to fostering significant global change will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they embark on their journeys into the world.

A Florida native, Admiral Stavridis boasts a remarkable 37-year career in the United States Navy, where he is recognized as the longest-serving combat commander in recent American history. As the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, he directed operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and the Balkans and was instrumental in anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Africa. He has also held leadership positions as the head of the U.S. Southern Command in Miami and later, as Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

In addition to his military accolades, Admiral Stavridis is the author of fifteen books that cover topics such as leadership, maritime affairs, and Latin American studies. He serves as a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion and as a Senior Military Analyst for CNN. His achievements include the Battenberg Cup awarded for commanding the premier ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League's John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership. Throughout his career, he has received more than 50 U.S. and international medals, including 28 from foreign nations.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the commencement, Admiral Stavridis remarked, "It’s an honor to join the American University community for this landmark occasion. The graduates are entering a world ripe for their ideas, energy, and service commitment. I eagerly anticipate celebrating their accomplishments and the impact they are set to make."

The ceremony is set to honor 1,475 graduates from all seven schools at American University. Events will take place at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM in Bender Arena. Each session will showcase remarkable student speakers, reflecting the diverse achievements within the graduating class.

Notable speakers include Edwin Santos, earning a Master of Science from the School of Public Affairs and a recognized leader in public service; Tejasvi Hariharan, a bachelor’s degree recipient in public health dedicated to maternal health; Sydney Robson, who will graduate with a Master of Science focused on international law; and Dalvin Perez, an entrepreneur aiming to create a socially responsible restaurant chain.

This year marks the university's 150th commencement ceremony, continuing a legacy of esteemed past speakers, including actor and advocate Sean Astin, CNN anchor Abby Phillip, and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

In summary, Admiral Stavridis’s participation in the commencement is a milestone for American University, showcasing its commitment to leadership, scholarship, and service in addressing today’s pressing global challenges. As the university prepares to celebrate its graduates, it also reinforces its dedication to shaping future leaders equipped to make positive changes in society.