113th Commencement

Due to inclement weather, President DesRoches was not able to deliver the following speech on the evening of commencement.

Good evening, and welcome to Rice University's 113th Commencement.

Before we celebrate our graduates, let's take a moment to recognize those who helped them reach this milestone.

To our extraordinary faculty and staff — thank you for your mentorship, your dedication, and your belief in our students.

To the families, friends, and loved ones who supported these graduates every step of the way — through long nights and occasional setbacks — this moment belongs to you as well.

Graduates, if you're able, please rise and join me in thanking those who helped you get here.

I know I'm standing between you and John Green, so I'll be brief.

A Shared Beginning

The Class of 2026 and I will forever have a special bond — we started our journeys at Rice together. When you arrived for O-Week in August 2022, I had just completed my first month as president.

Over these four years, I've watched you grow — in the academic quad, in Fondren, on our "Runs with Reggie," and on those first-day-of-class "Rides with Reggie." I've appreciated every smile, every "Hello, Reggie," and every moment you stopped to talk about something that mattered deeply to you.

What makes Rice special is not just what happens in the classroom — it's the relationships, the connections, the sense of belonging. This class helped shape that community during my time as president. For that, I thank you.

Educating the Whole Person

When you arrived, many of you may have already thought you knew your path. For many of you, that path changed — perhaps more than once. That's by design.

Rice didn't just educate the part of you tied to a major. Rice educated all of you. Rice taught you how to: think critically, communicate clearly, lead through uncertainty, and work with people who see the world differently. These are the skills that endure, no matter how much the world changes.

Your Moment: The Age of AI

Every graduating class enters the world at a different moment in history. Yours steps into a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence — a force that will influence how we work, learn, and even understand truth itself.

But here's what matters most: AI will not determine the future. You will.

We didn't prepare you to compete with AI. We prepared you to do what AI cannot — to think critically, exercise judgment and lead with creativity, integrity, and most importantly, empathy.

I've learned something over four years as president: the most important decisions I’ve made had nothing to do with technology. They were about people — listening, building trust, ensuring people feel heard. The skills that matter most are still deeply human.

What Comes Next

As you step into what comes next, remember this:

Stay human. Your humanity is your greatest strength — it's what allows you to choose not just what is possible, but what is right.

Stay curious. Keep learning and pushing yourself.

Stay courageous. Take risks. Learn from setbacks.

Closing

You arrived at Rice during the end of the COVID pandemic, witnessed global conflicts, and lived through uncertainty in higher education and employment. Yet here you stand, strong as ever.

I remain inspired by your resilience, your courage, your accomplishments, and your capacity to lead with both heart and purpose.

And wherever life takes you, remember — you are part of this community for life. You now join more than 68,000 Rice alumni around the world who share your curiosity, your ambition, and your commitment to making a difference.

We cannot wait to see what you do next.

To the one-and-only incredible Class of 2026 — Congratulations!

Introduction of commencement speaker John Green

It is now my pleasure to introduce our commencement speaker, internationally renowned author and educator John Green.

John is a New York Times bestselling author whose work has influenced millions of readers worldwide. Known for books such as “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Looking for Alaska,” he has shaped and invigorated young adult literature through engaging and inspiring storytelling. Beyond his writing, he is a leading educator and digital creator, co-founding with his brother the YouTube Channel Crash Course and Vlogbrothers, which have reached billions globally.

Please join me in welcoming John Green.

To watch the 113th Undergraduate Commencement, including John Green's speech, click here. Green's speech is around the 30-minute mark.