Chairman of National Endowment for the Arts to deliver AU commencement address May 9
ASHLAND, Ohio – The Honorable Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will serve as the commencement speaker for Ashland University on Saturday, May 9. The ceremony, honoring both undergraduate and graduate students, will take place at the Niss Athletic Center (905 Moss Hill Drive) beginning at 10 a.m.
Carter, who will also be presented with an honorary degree (Doctor of Laws) as voted on by the AU Board of Trustees, is currently serving her second term leading the NEA, following her confirmation by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 18, 2025. The NEA, an independent federal agency, is the nation’s largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and serves as a catalyst for both public and private support of the arts.
During her first term, Carter advanced initiatives such as Creative Forces, a national creative arts therapy program supporting military service members and veterans. She also strengthened major national programs, including Shakespeare in American Communities, NEA Big Read and Poetry Out Loud.
In anticipation of her visit, Carter said, “I am honored to deliver the commencement address at Ashland University and to celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates. A strong foundation in the arts and humanities can play a vital role in shaping students’ creativity, critical thinking and understanding of the world, and I look forward to recognizing the ways these graduates will carry those strengths forward in the future.”
Dr. Jon Parrish Peede, president of AU and a former National Endowment for the Humanities chairman, emphasized the significance of Carter’s leadership and the perspective she will bring to campus. “We are delighted to welcome the Honorable Mary Anne Carter as our commencement speaker,” he said. “Her distinguished leadership of the NEA has strengthened access to the arts across the country, and her vision and dedication to cultural vitality will offer our graduates both inspiration and a powerful reminder of the impact they can have in their communities.”
More information on AU’s commencement, including lineup and procession details, parking photography services, etc., is available here. The commencement will also be streamed live at ashland.edu/commencement.
Ashland University is a mid-size, private university conveniently located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, AU puts the “Accent on the Individual” by combining strong applied academic programs with a distinguished faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.