May 14

Commencement Speech by Donald Graham
(5 MB)
Donald Graham, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of The Washington Post is the son of Washington Post publishers Philip and Katharine Graham. He is a trustee of the Federal City Council in Washington, D.C., and president of the District of Columbia College Access Program. Graham addressed the School of International Service and School of Communication Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement Speech by Michael Kahn
(6 MB)
Michael Kahn is an award-winning theatre director who now serves as artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company. His productions have included such Shakespeare classics as Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Much Ado About Nothing as well as classics by Henrik Ibsen and others. He has also had a long career as an acting teacher, with students including William Hurt, Laura Linney, Harvey Keitel, Kevin Kline, Christopher Reeve, and Robin Williams. Kahn addressed the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement Speech by Paul Volcker
(8 MB)
Paul Volcker was appointed as chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System by President Jimmy Carter and reappointed by Ronald Reagan. He served from 1979 to 1987 and is credited with being instrumental in ending a period of inflation. He is currently chairman of International House and cochairman of the Financial Services Volunteer Corps. Volcker addressed the School of Public Affairs and Kogod School of Business Commencement Ceremony.

May 21

Commencement Speech by Vanessa Ruiz
(10 MB)
Vanessa Ruiz is associate judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she has worked for a number of years as a lawyer before moving to the judiciary. She mentors Latino law students and has been named Hispanic National Bar Association Judge of the Year. Ruiz addressed the Washington College of Law Commencement Ceremony.