VCU names former GM chairman Rick Wagoner as commencement speaker
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The youngest CEO in General Motors Corp. (GM) history, Rick Wagoner, will deliver the commencement address for Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) class of 2026.
Wagoner, who was raised in the Richmond area and graduated from J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico, will be VCU's keynote speaker at the May 9 ceremony, the school announced on Wednesday, April 8.
The Delaware native retired in 2009 after a 32-year stint at GM, including six years as chairman/CEO and several years prior as president/CEO, where he became the youngest CEO in GM history, per the release. Wagoner previously held GM's leadership roles in North America, Europe and Brazil.
Rick Wagoner (Photo: Virginia Commonwealth University)
Wagoner and his wife, Kathy, have led several fundraising initiatives at VCU, including the Make It Real Campaign for VCU and the Unlocking Potential campaign. The pair also created the Wagoner Family Endowed Scholarship in the VCU School of Business. Wagoner previously served on the school's board of visitors.
VCU commencement will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St. The event will also be livestreamed on the VCU website. For more information, visit VCU commencement.
