Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will address George Mason University’s graduating class of 2023 at its Spring Commencement at EagleBank Arena on Thursday, May 18.
“We look forward to welcoming Governor Youngkin to speak to our graduating students, who we expect will comprise the largest and most diverse class of graduates ever,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “Governor Youngkin’s drive for lifelong learning and his entrepreneurial mindset is what we cultivate in all of our graduates.”
Last year Governor Youngkin signed into law a biennial budget that included $33.4 million in new financial aid for Mason students, a significant increase that has eased college affordability for many Mason students, including some who will graduate in May.
Youngkin becomes the latest sitting governor of the commonwealth to address Mason graduates. Past governors include Jim Gilmore (1998), Mark Warner (2003), Tim Kaine (2007) and Terry McAuliffe (2016).
Youngkin, a Virginia native, holds an engineering degree from Rice University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Prior to his inauguration as Virginia’s 74th governor in January 2022, Youngkin worked at The Carlyle Group, where he spent 25 years.
A complete schedule of degree celebrations and additional commencement information can be found here.