Speakers
The 2026 University Commencement Ceremony on May 17 will be held in Notre Dame Stadium beginning at 9 a.m. with the academic procession.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Martin Soros of Bethesda, Maryland, has been selected as valedictorian, and Allison Elshoff of Valencia, California, has been named salutatorian of the 2026 University of Notre Dame graduating class.
The 181st University Commencement Ceremony will be held May 17 (Sunday) in Notre Dame Stadium for graduates and guests. During the ceremony, Soros will deliver the valedictory address and Elshoff will offer the invocation.
Martin Soros is a student in the College of Engineering, has a major in civil engineering and minors in theology and education, schooling, and society. Soros is a member of Notre Dame Students Empowering through Engineering Development, known as NDSEED, a program that fights poverty in rural communities by expanding access to healthcare and education through the design and construction of footbridges. He served as an assistant bridge designer during his sophomore year and as design manager his junior year. During summer 2025, he worked for two months in Papachacra, Bolivia, constructing the pedestrian bridge for which he had led the design.
Allison Michelle Elshoff is a student in the Mendoza College of Business, with a major in business analytics and minors in the Hesburgh Program in Public Service, the Business Honors Program and impact consulting. Elshoff, who worked as a teaching assistant for several courses in Mendoza over the last two years, said that her hands-on experiences in education and mentorship have defined her Notre Dame experience. As co-president of the Innovation for Impact Club, Elshoff leads initiatives to support women’s education at Saint Bakhita’s Vocational Training Center in Kalongo, Uganda.
Timothy Shriver, Laetare Medal
Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics, will receive the 2026 Laetare Medal — the oldest and most prestigious honor given exclusively to American Catholics — at Notre Dame’s 181st University Commencement Ceremony on May 17 (Sunday).
Full News Release.
Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., Commencement Speaker
Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., president of the Pontifical Commission and Governorate of Vatican City State, will be the principal speaker and receive an honorary degree at the University of Notre Dame’s 181st University Commencement Ceremony on May 17, Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., announced today. Full News Release
For a listing of previous commencement speakers, please visit the Archives page.