Fairfield University’s 2026 Commencement speakers are distinguished leaders whose work reflects innovation, service, and a commitment to the common good.
Stuart Weitzman to Address Bachelor’s Degree Recipients
Stuart Weitzman, internationally acclaimed footwear designer and entrepreneur, will be the featured speaker at Fairfield University’s 76th Undergraduate Commencement Exercises on May 17, and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Weitzman is known for transforming his passion for craftsmanship into a globally recognized shoe brand synonymous with innovation and elegance. After founding his namesake company in 1986, he built it into an industry leader with designs featured on red carpets and embraced by influential figures worldwide. His work is defined by a commitment to blending beauty with comfort and purpose.
Beyond his success in business, Weitzman is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting hospitals, medical research, youth organizations, and the arts. He is also an active mentor, engaging with students at universities around the world and encouraging future leaders to pursue bold ideas with discipline and creativity. His longstanding connection to Fairfield reflects a shared commitment to innovation, ethical leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.
A native of New York, Weitzman earned his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, which later named its design school in his honor.
Maggie Doyne to Address Graduate Degree Recipients
Maggie Doyne, co-founder and chief executive officer of the BlinkNow Foundation, will deliver the address at Fairfield University’s Graduate Commencement Exercises on May 16, and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
A global humanitarian and social entrepreneur, Doyne has dedicated her life to supporting children and families in Nepal through the Kopila Valley programs. What began as a single act of generosity has grown into a comprehensive community model that includes a children’s home, school, women’s center, and health and wellness initiatives. Her work emphasizes sustainable, locally driven solutions that provide education, dignity, and opportunity.
Doyne is also the author of Between the Mountain and the Sky, a memoir chronicling her journey and the relationships that have shaped her work. Widely recognized for her impact, she has inspired audiences around the world through her storytelling and advocacy, reflecting a far-reaching commitment to service, compassion, and justice.
A native of New Jersey, Doyne continues to live and work in Nepal with her family, where she leads a growing community dedicated to creating lasting change.
Marcia Chatelain to Address Associate’s Degree Recipients
Marcia Chatelain, PhD, award-winning historian, author, and educator, will deliver the address at the Fairfield Bellarmine Commencement Exercises on May 14, and will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Dr. Chatelain is a leading scholar of American history whose work examines the intersections of race, gender, and economic life. She serves as Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and is widely recognized for her contributions to both scholarship and public discourse.
Her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America received the Pulitzer Prize in History, earning national acclaim for its examination of the relationship between the fast-food industry and African American communities. Her earlier work, South Side Girls: Growing Up in the Great Migration, offered a powerful account of Black girlhood in 20th-century Chicago.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Chatelain is known for the influential #FergusonSyllabus initiative, which encouraged educators nationwide to engage thoughtfully with issues of racial justice. Through her teaching, writing, and public engagement, she continues to shape national conversations on history, identity, and equity.
A native of Chicago, Dr. Chatelain holds degrees from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a PhD from Brown University. She resides in Washington, D.C., where she continues her work as a scholar, educator, and public intellectual.
The 2026 Commencement ceremonies will celebrate Fairfield University degree recipients across all schools.
