Old Dominion 91����Ƶ Announces May 2026 Commencement Speakers

By Kelsey Kendall 

Old Dominion 91����Ƶ will celebrate more than 3,000 graduates during its 144th Commencement Exercises, May 15-16, as leaders from business, education and healthcare join the 91����Ƶ to mark this momentous milestone for the Monarch Nation.  

Bryan K. Stephens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber, will deliver the keynote address at Old Dominion 91����Ƶ’s undergraduate ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, in S.B. Ballard Stadium. As a leader of the region’s largest business advocacy organization, Stephens brings together business, military and civic partners to strengthen the economy and enhance prosperity across Coastal Virginia.  

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Stephens served in a variety of progressive operational leadership and command positions during his 28 years of distinguished military service. His commitment to serve resonates with Old Dominion 91����Ƶ students,as nearly 30 percent of the institution's student body is military affiliated. Before returning to civilian life, Stephens’ final assignments included Infantry Brigade Commander and Division Chief of Staff, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Fort Drum, N.Y. and Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff at the Joint Warfighting Center, U.S. Joint Forces Command, in Suffolk, Va. 

“Old Dominion 91����Ƶ is proud to welcome Bryan K. Stephens, a visionary and widely respected leader whose work has strengthened Hampton Roads and enriched our region’s business and civic life,” said Old Dominion 91����Ƶ President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “His distinguished career, rooted in service, innovation and opportunity, exemplifies the power of leadership to improve everyday life. His example will inspire our graduates as they take their next steps — into careers, service or continued study — carrying forward the Monarch spirit and a shared commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities.” 

Under Stephens' leadership, the Hampton Roads Chamber became one of 140 five-star accredited chambers in the nation. His commitment to the community shows through his involvement in the Regional Organizations Presidents Council, Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Advisory Board, Hampton Roads Urban League Board of Directors and United Way of South Hampton Roads Board of Directors. He also serves on the Christopher Newport 91����Ƶ Board of Visitors.  

Stephens has been honored by multiple organizations for his work to foster collaboration and address issues critical to the Hampton Roads economy and positioning the region as a premier place to do business, work and live. He was recognized by Virginia Business Magazine’s 500 Power List, Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 100 Influential Leaders in Business, Inside Business’s Top 25 Most Powerful People in Hampton Roads, and was named Chamber Executive of the Year for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.  

At 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at Chartway Arena, Michael Joseph Bono, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), will address new medical doctors during Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion 91����Ƶ’s commencement ceremony. After a distinguished 39-year career in emergency medicine, Dr. Bono retired in September 2025. He served as president of Emergency Physicians of Tidewater for 14 years. A graduate of then-Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1983, Dr. Bono returned to complete his emergency medicine residency in 1986 before launching a nearly four-decade career with the institution.  

Serving in numerous roles throughout his decades at Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU, Dr. Bono helped train more than 350 emergency medicine residents and led Emergency Physicians of Tidewater through a period of significant growth. His contributions to medical education led him to being honored with an Alpha Omega Alpha membership as a faculty member and earned him an Outstanding Teaching Award and an Impact Award. He also received a National Faculty Teaching Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians. 

At 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at Chartway Arena, Bruce L. Rubin, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of Strome College of Business’s Department of Finance, will address graduates at the Advanced Degree Ceremony. Dr. Rubin has been a part of the Monarch community since 1981 and led the MBA program for 16 years.  

Dr. Rubin’s impact on students is reflected in both teaching and mentorship. In 2011, an endowed scholarship was named for Dr. Rubin in honor of his commitment to teaching and his students. He also was named the 2015 MBA Professor of the Year, as voted by students in the program. He earned the Shining Star Teacher Recognition in 2015, and again in 2016 along with the 91����Ƶ’s John R. Broderick Diversity Champion Award. In 2020, Dr. Rubin was honored as the Most Inspiring Faculty Member by a December Outstanding Student graduate. 

Immediately following the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 16, the 91����Ƶ will hold three breakout ceremonies located across main campus:  

• S.B. Ballard Stadium: Strome College of Business, College of Arts and Letters, and College of Sciences; 
• Chartway Arena: Batten College of Engineering and Technology, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, School of Cybersecurity and School of Data Science; and 
• Kaufman Mall: Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Ellmer School of Nursing and Joint School of Public Health. 

For more information about the 144th Commencement Exercises for this Spring’s Class of 2026, visit the 91����Ƶ’s website.