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The faculty members selected to speak at the baccalaureate commencements this June have made important contributions to undergraduate teaching and learning over a total of about 120 years on campus. Collectively, their recognitions include everything from on-campus honors to a U.S. presidential award.

In chronological order of the ceremonies, the speakers are:

• Jason White, professor of teaching and vice chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering. (June 12, 9 a.m.) 
• Katie Peterson, professor of English, College of Letters and Science. (June 12, 2:30 p.m.) 
• David Rizzo, professor of plant pathology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. (June 13, 9 a.m.) 
• Aldrin Gomes, professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior in the College of Biological Sciences, and of physiology and membrane biology in the School of Medicine. (June 13, 2:30 p.m.)
• Zhi Ding, professor of electrical and computer engineering, College of Engineering. (June 14, 9 a.m.)

Message for all ceremonies 

A video message from Tony Tyson, distinguished research professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will be played at each of the undergraduate commencements. Time named Tyson one of its 100 most influential people of 2026 as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, of which he is the chief scientist, is beginning to record a 10-year time-lapse of the entire southern sky. Tyson, who joined Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2004, is credited with the vision for the project in Chile 30 years ago. Earlier, the international journal Nature named him to its top 10 list of people who shaped science in 2025. Tyson's research in experimental physics and cosmology includes development of new astronomical surveys, new detectors, astronomical instrumentation and analysis algorithms to learn more about dark energy and dark matter. 

Jason White

White has been a faculty member since 2015. He teaches process design and economics, process safety, professionalism in chemical engineering, and senior biochemical engineering courses as well as freshman seminars on current topics in chemical engineering and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Featuring project-based learning experiences in his classes, he led the establishment of the Chem-E-CAD Club, which helps students create virtual and physical products for their professional portfolio. He has published on the wellness of engineering students; active learning and group design activities; and the success and difficulties transfer students experience in engineering. 

Katie Peterson

Peterson, at Â鶹´«Ã½ since 2014, is the author of six collections of poetry, including Fog and Smoke (2024). Recognition for her work includes the Rilke Prize for The Accounts, a literature award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, and a fellowship from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. In 2019, she was named a Chancellor’s Fellow, which recognizes associate professors for excellence in research and teaching. Director of the graduate program in creative writing, she counts teaching undergraduates one of her greatest joys.

David Rizzo

At Â鶹´«Ã½ since 1995, Rizzo is a leading expert in plant pathology and has improved the world’s understanding of sudden oak death. He founded the global disease biology major and led the expansion of the Science in Society program, in which students explore connections linking the biological, physical and social sciences with societal and cultural issues. Rizzo also helped develop Career Discovery Groups for undergraduates. In 2017, Rizzo received the Â鶹´«Ã½ Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement. A national center for educational best practices named him an outstanding advocate for first-year students, and a professional society recognized him for excellence in teaching.

Aldrin Gomes

An expert on the biochemical pathways through which painkillers affect the body, Gomes co-authored a book about ibuprofen with 36 of his current and former students, including undergraduates. At Â鶹´«Ã½ since 2008, he has mentored many students in several summer programs that bring undergraduates from other universities to Â鶹´«Ã½ to conduct research. Last year, he received the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for excellence in mentoring individuals from groups underrepresented in the fields. In 2019, he received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research. He has also been recognized as a Chancellor’s Fellow and received the Chancellor’s Fellowship for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Zhi Ding

A professor at Â鶹´«Ã½ since 2000, Ding is the most recent recipient of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement. His research focuses on advancing the field of wireless communications. He is co-author of Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems, among the world’s most widely adopted undergraduate textbooks in any discipline. Now in its fifth edition, it is used in more than 170 universities worldwide. Ding’s teaching features hands-on experiments, and he introduced the Digital Signals and Systems course, which prepares engineering students to work on artificial intelligence and machine learning projects.

For more information on all commencement ceremonies, see the news release announcing the guest speakers.