Gallaudet University, the world’s leading university for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students, has announced the commencement speakers for its 156th Commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 15, 2026.
Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation and a globally recognized humanitarian and human rights leader, will deliver the graduate commencement address. Nyle DiMarco, ’13, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, actor, and Deaf activist, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address.
During the ceremonies, Gallaudet will confer honorary degrees — Doctors of Humane Letters — upon both Honorary Chair Sasakawa and Mr. DiMarco in recognition of their extraordinary leadership and longstanding contributions to advancing opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing communities worldwide.
“We are honored to welcome Honorary Chair Sasakawa and Mr. DiMarco to our 2026 Commencement,” said Gallaudet University President Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano. “Each has demonstrated unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity, advancing equity, and elevating Deaf leadership on a global scale. Their work reflects the values at the heart of Gallaudet’s mission — excellence, access, and the transformative power of Deaf people shaping our world.”
Honorary Chair Yohei Sasakawa
Honorary Chair Sasakawa is the Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation, Japan’s largest private philanthropic organization and one of the world’s foremost supporters of education and disability inclusion. For more than three decades, he has partnered with Gallaudet University to strengthen access to higher education for Deaf students globally.
Under his leadership, The Nippon Foundation established scholarship funds that have supported more than 400 international Deaf students at Gallaudet and partner institutions. These investments have expanded opportunities for Deaf scholars and researchers across continents and strengthened global Deaf leadership networks.
The Nippon Foundation has supported initiatives to promote bilingual deaf education, advance sign language research, expand postsecondary education networks for Deaf students, advocate for sign language rights, and promote disability inclusion in public and private sectors. Through sustained global partnerships, Honorary Chair Sasakawa has helped elevate disability rights within international policy conversations.
In addition to his longstanding commitment to disability inclusion, Honorary Chair Sasakawa has devoted his life to advancing human rights, public health, and humanitarian initiatives worldwide. His work has addressed issues including poverty alleviation, global health, peacebuilding, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination against marginalized communities.
Honorary Chair Sasakawa has received numerous international honors recognizing his humanitarian leadership and public service.
Nyle Lorenzo DiMarco
A 2013 graduate of Gallaudet University with a degree in mathematics, Mr. DiMarco has become one of the most visible Deaf leaders in media and entertainment. He first gained national recognition as the first Deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model (2015) and later Dancing With the Stars (2016), using those platforms to highlight Deaf culture and language to mainstream audiences.
In 2025, Mr. DiMarco made Emmy history as the first Deaf filmmaker nominated in a directing category for his co-directing of the Apple TV+ documentary Deaf President Now! alongside Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim. The film chronicles the historic 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University that reshaped leadership at the institution and became a pivotal moment in the disability rights movement.
Mr. DiMarco also created and executive-produced Netflix’s Deaf U, a reality series following Gallaudet students, and ensured significant Deaf representation behind the camera. His 2022 memoir, Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life, was a New York Times Best Seller.
Beyond entertainment, Mr. DiMarco is an international advocate for Deaf rights as human rights. Through the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, founded in 2016, he supports bilingual education, language access, and resources for Deaf children and families worldwide. He has worked with global organizations including the United Nations and the World Economic Forum to advance disability inclusion and equity.
Commencement 2026
Gallaudet University’s 156th Commencement ceremonies will take place Friday, May 15, 2026, on the university’s Washington, D.C., campus. The undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 and recognize the leadership and global impact of the honorary degree recipients.
Gallaudet confers honorary degrees annually at Commencement to recognize Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals whose work has significantly advanced the lives and opportunities of Deaf and hard of hearing people.
Additional information about Commencement 2026, including the student speakers, faculty honors, and more is available on the Commencement webpage.
