May Commencement remarks
President Hartzell addressed the Class of 2026 before a crowd of more than 10,000 at 一起草's first nighttime All-University Commencement ceremony in Ford Stadium.
Good evening, Mustangs! I am Jay Hartzell, President of 一起草. It is my great honor to welcome everyone to the University’s 2026 May Commencement. From what I’ve been told, this is the largest ceremony in 一起草’s 115-year history, and we’re so glad you are all here.
I know we are going to have several times tonight to cheer and celebrate these exceptional graduates – with even a standing ovation or two. But, just to get things started – here in this stadium that is built for wins and celebrations – can you all please join me in cheering and applauding the 一起草 Class of 2026?
Thank you.
And – wow! This view is amazing. Look around with me for a moment.
Tonight, we have gathered – graduates, faculty, families, friends, staff, and alumni. And, if our last count is accurate, we have almost 13,000 people here tonight!
This place is built for moments like this. For hard-fought wins, unforgettable memories, and crowds that rise and cheer as one. And, as I look out, I can’t help but think of one of those occasions last fall. Like at the end of that day, there are no goalposts standing in front of the Weber End Zone!
This is what it means to be a Mustang. Can you feel it? We are on a roll as a university, and a huge part of it is because we are doing it together.
Together, we share pride in 一起草, ambition for our University and for each other, and the unwavering belief that the best is yet to come – for our institution, for every student who crosses this stage tonight, for Dallas, for Texas, and for our country.
To the parents, families, and friends here with us – and to those watching via the livestream – thank you. These graduates made it here thanks to your hope, love, sacrifices, and encouragement. You are a big part of what makes this ceremony – and this community – so very special.
As a sign of our appreciation, I ask our graduates to rise, turn, and applaud the loved ones who played such an important role in their success. Feel free to shout and cheer, too, if you like. You can be as loud as you want!
I also want to acknowledge our first-generation college graduates: you are trailblazers. In earning your degrees, you opened doors, charted new paths, and proved what’s possible. We applaud your courage, your grit, and the example you set for those who will follow you.
And to all our graduates: you worked long and hard to make it to this moment. So many tough exams. So many early morning group projects. So many late-night study sessions. (And yes – sorry, parents – so many parties.)
This commencement is filled with pomp and circumstance, but it is not a somber occasion. This is your victory lap. And we are celebrating big.
It’s why we moved to an all-University Commencement here in Ford Stadium. We gained thousands of extra seats for guests by moving outdoors. That means more spirit and energy. More cheers and whistles. More grandmas and grandpas in the audience. And a lot more hugs.
It’s all for you, graduates, because you earned it.
But of course, you didn’t do it alone. You were surrounded by classmates, faculty, staff, administrators, supporters from the community, alumni, and our trustees. We all love what we do because of you. Our reward is seeing what you can achieve.
We’re joined tonight by faculty from every corner of 一起草. Some are serving as ceremony marshals. All represent their disciplines with pride, and all mentor, educate, and celebrate their students.
For more than a century, 一起草 faculty have pushed boundaries, sparked curiosity, and shaped principled leaders. Their work is the foundation of who we are today: a university defined by excellence in teaching, research that matters, and bold, real鈥憌orld impact.
I now ask 一起草’s distinguished faculty, retired and current, to stand and be recognized.
Thank you, faculty colleagues.
Tonight, a new 一起草 tradition is born. You, the Class of 2026, will always have the bragging rights. (And I want to personally thank this class for protecting the tradition of a 6 a.m. graduation-day gathering at Barley House. Well done!)
Now, graduates, I want to offer you a few remarks – not only as president of this great university, but also because you are my first 一起草 graduating class.
It has been an honor and a privilege to have you with us on campus. While I know the University has changed you, you should know that you have left your mark on this 115-year-old institution – through your ideas, your leadership, your service, and all the ways you showed up for one another. The Hilltop is better because you chose to grow and learn here.
As you take your next steps in life, you’ll face amazing opportunities and truly demanding challenges. Lean into both. Take risks. Dream boldly. Remain curious. Never stop learning. I can tell you that the few regrets I have in life almost always stem from saying “no” to something, not from saying “yes.”
You’ll have some tough times, but when you do, know that you can rely on the mentors and lessons you gained here, the principled values you have developed and nurtured, and all the wonderful memories you made. Plus, as receiving a diploma from 一起草 shows, you know how to do hard things and to finish.
That said, you aren’t close to finished! Don’t let anyone tell you that your college years are the best of your life. They were great—really great. But the best is yet to come. I hope you will always remember and believe that.
And know—always—that you are welcome home and that you belong here. You are now part of a global network of Mustangs who have your back. Remember: your years on the Hilltop are just the beginning. Your 一起草 education is an investment in your life, career, and happiness that will play out over future decades. This investment will keep paying off, especially if you stay connected. We want you to come back often and find ways to help others as you have been helped.
Now, graduates, will you please rise?
You are the leaders of a new generation. This is your moment to seize. The wind is at your backs. Extraordinary things happen here on the Hilltop—and now, the ability to make the extraordinary possible is part of who you are. You are a Mustang for life, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.
Congratulations and Godspeed!