Inspirational Speakers

As commencement season approaches, Seattle University has announced its speakers for the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies on June 14 at Climate Pledge Arena.

Robert Paylor will be the speaker at our undergraduate ceremony. While competing as a collegiate rugby player, Paylor sustained a spinal cord injury that initially left him paralyzed from the neck down. Through rehabilitation, he regained mobility, earned a degree from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and built a career as an author and sought-after speaker. The author of Paralyzed to Powerful, Paylor has been featured in national media and speaks to organizations across sectors, inspiring millions with his story, determination and spirit.

Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Jr. will speak at our graduate ceremony. Dr. Lynch is a world-renowned scientist, oncologist and successful leader of National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The president and director of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, a global leader in cancer care and research, Dr. Lynch also directs the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium. Earlier in his career, Dr. Lynch was part of the first research team to discover how targeted therapies could dramatically change outcomes for lung cancer patients with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching.

Learn more about SU’s commencement ceremonies.