Morehouse Commencement – Morehouse College names NBA star Chris Paul as commencement keynote speaker, alongside honorary degrees for civic and spiritual leaders.
A sports icon is set to take center stage at Morehouse College: Chris Paul will deliver the keynote address for the 142nd Morehouse College Commencement.
Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Olympian, is also being recognized with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.. The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 9 a.m.. on Morehouse’s Century Campus.. For many students and alumni. the choice of Paul signals a blend of global visibility and community-minded achievement. a theme Morehouse has long embraced.
In his remarks ahead of the event, Paul framed greatness as something shaped by character and consistency, not just public performance. That message lands beyond athletics, touching the questions graduates often face as they transition into new careers and responsibilities.
Alongside Paul’s honorary recognition, Morehouse will honor Chris Womack, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company, and the Rev.. Dr.. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., the retiring founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr.. International Chapel.. The shared through-line is stewardship and leadership with public impact. reflected in the careers of both recipients and their longstanding ties to service.
For Womack, the focus is on ethical leadership and community engagement, including civic work and support initiatives tied to education.. His recognition also comes as he steps deeper into broader public roles. underscoring how corporate leadership can be positioned as part of a wider social mission.. Meanwhile. Carter’s honorary degree follows decades of uninterrupted service connected to the College’s chapel life. where spiritual reflection and moral leadership are central.
This matters because commencement speeches and honorary degrees are not just ceremonial. They offer a kind of public curriculum, highlighting what a community wants graduates to carry forward when the caps come off.
The week leading to commencement will also include a series of undergraduate and alumni reunion events celebrating the Class of 2026. along with milestone anniversaries for notable alumni.. Among those celebrated are music producer Khalil “DJ Khalil” Abdul-Rahman. United Way leader Milton Little Jr.. Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed. and a range of other figures across public service. business. and culture.
Morehouse’s Baccalaureate speaker this year is the Reverend Dr.. Winford Kennadean “Kenny” Rice Jr.. a 2014 graduate of the College who currently serves as Senior Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Atlanta and as an adjunct professor of religion at Morehouse.. With Paul delivering the keynote. the overall program emphasizes both faith-rooted values and forward-looking leadership as students prepare for what comes next.
In the end, the headline names are only part of the story. Misryoum coverage aside, this slate of speakers and honorees reflects a broader cultural conversation about who gets to define success and how public achievement can be used to strengthen a community.
For commencement updates and event details, visit morehouse.edu/commencement.