Adm. Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Deliver Notre Dame’s 2025 Commencement Address

As the University of Notre Dame prepares for its 2025 Commencement Ceremony, the university has announced that Adm. Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will serve as the commencement speaker. The announcement has sparked excitement across the campus and beyond, as Adm. Grady is a distinguished leader in the United States military with an exemplary career that spans decades of service to the nation. His selection as the keynote speaker for one of the university’s most significant annual events is a testament to his leadership, integrity, and commitment to serving the greater good.

Adm. Grady’s appearance at the commencement will provide graduates, faculty, and guests with a unique opportunity to hear from one of the highest-ranking military officers in the country. His extensive experience in leadership roles, his involvement in global defense matters, and his unwavering dedication to public service make him an ideal choice for the prestigious honor of delivering Notre Dame’s 2025 Commencement Address.

In this article, we will explore Adm. Grady’s illustrious career, the significance of his selection as the commencement speaker, and what his address might bring to the university’s graduates. We will also examine the importance of Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony and how Adm. Grady’s speech will resonate with the graduating class as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Adm. Christopher Grady: A Distinguished Career in the U.S. Navy

Adm. Christopher W. Grady, a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has served with distinction in various leadership roles within the U.S. Navy throughout his career. Throughout his 40 years of service, Grady has earned numerous accolades for his leadership, his contributions to national defense, and his unwavering dedication to his country. His career is characterized by a focus on strategic leadership, global defense issues, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of his service.

Early Career and Naval Academy Education

Grady’s career began after he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1979. As a midshipman, he demonstrated a sharp intellect and leadership abilities that would set the tone for his entire career. Upon commissioning into the Navy, he quickly ascended through the ranks due to his exceptional performance in leadership positions and his strategic vision.

Grady was initially trained as a surface warfare officer, where he began to develop the technical skills and leadership acumen that would be integral to his future success. His ability to command and inspire those around him was evident early on, and he gained valuable operational experience through a number of critical assignments across the globe. These early experiences formed the foundation of a career built on loyalty, discipline, and a deep understanding of military strategy and operations.

Key Leadership Roles

Grady’s rise to the highest ranks of the military took shape through a series of key leadership roles. He served as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, overseeing the operational readiness of the Navy’s entire fleet. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring the preparedness of the Navy to meet global challenges, from military conflicts to humanitarian assistance missions.

In 2021, Grady was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second-highest military position in the United States. In this capacity, he serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. Grady’s appointment to this prestigious role marked a milestone in his career, as it placed him at the forefront of shaping U.S. defense strategy and policy at the global level. His responsibilities in this position span a wide array of areas, from military readiness and operations to force structure and international security.

Global Impact and Strategic Vision

Adm. Grady’s career has been marked by his leadership in numerous high-stakes situations around the world. As Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Grady is involved in the planning and execution of military strategies that shape U.S. defense policy. His work includes overseeing U.S. military operations in strategic regions like the Indo-Pacific and Europe, while also managing complex defense challenges related to cyber threats, nuclear proliferation, and evolving security dynamics.

Grady’s strategic foresight has been a critical component of the United States military’s ability to remain agile and responsive to the ever-changing global security environment. His ability to foster collaboration among military services, U.S. allies, and international partners has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, both within the military and among civilian leadership.

The Significance of Adm. Grady’s Selection as Commencement Speaker

The selection of Adm. Christopher Grady as Notre Dame’s 2025 Commencement Speaker is an acknowledgement of his extraordinary career and the principles that he embodies: leadership, service, integrity, and dedication to the common good. Adm. Grady’s role as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff places him at the pinnacle of American military leadership, and his ability to inspire the next generation of leaders will make his speech a highlight of the commencement ceremonies.

Leadership and Service as Core Values

Notre Dame has long emphasized the values of leadership and service in its academic mission. The university’s commitment to forming men and women for others aligns closely with the ideals that Adm. Grady has exemplified throughout his career. As a leader in the military, Grady has dedicated his life to serving his country and protecting the freedoms that define the United States. His dedication to public service mirrors the university’s emphasis on developing graduates who will go on to serve their communities, nation, and world in meaningful ways.

By selecting Grady as the commencement speaker, Notre Dame honors these core values of leadership and service, ensuring that graduates receive a powerful message about the importance of their role in the world. Adm. Grady’s own experiences in high-stakes, high-pressure environments serve as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with leadership and the impact that individuals can have on a global scale.

A Unique Perspective for Graduates

Adm. Grady’s position as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing the world today. He has a front-row seat to the shifting dynamics of global power, security threats, and the future of military strategy. His address to the Notre Dame Class of 2025 will offer graduates invaluable insights into the current state of global affairs, national security, and the importance of thoughtful, ethical leadership in navigating complex issues.

His speech will also provide an opportunity for graduates to reflect on their own paths forward. As many of them prepare to enter professions in business, law, healthcare, technology, and public service, Adm. Grady’s leadership experience in the military will offer a different lens through which to view their own future careers. The challenges and decisions faced by military leaders at the highest levels of government have parallels to the difficult choices that graduates may face in their respective fields.

A Call to Service

At the heart of Adm. Grady’s career is a commitment to service—a theme that aligns perfectly with Notre Dame’s mission to develop graduates who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world. In his address, Grady will likely emphasize the importance of service, both to one’s country and to humanity as a whole. His words will remind graduates that success is not solely measured by personal achievement, but by the contributions one makes to the broader community and to the common good.

Adm. Grady’s leadership in military and defense policy is a testament to the ways in which individuals can serve with honor and make a difference in the world. His emphasis on integrity, responsibility, and accountability will undoubtedly resonate with the graduates, urging them to carry these principles into their own careers and lives.

Notre Dame’s Commencement: A Time for Reflection and Celebration

The Commencement Ceremony at Notre Dame is one of the most significant moments in the lives of its graduates. It is a time to reflect on the hard work and accomplishments that have led to this point, but also a time to look forward to the next chapter in life. The ceremony is a celebration of academic achievement, but also a moment to consider the broader purpose of one’s education and the responsibility that comes with it.

For the Class of 2025, Adm. Grady’s speech will serve as an important reminder of the global impact they can have as they embark on their professional and personal journeys. As graduates prepare to enter a rapidly changing world, his message of leadership, service, and integrity will inspire them to take on the challenges of the future with courage and purpose.

What to Expect from Adm. Grady’s Address

Adm. Grady’s commencement address is likely to focus on several key themes that have defined his career. As a military leader, he will likely reflect on the importance of leadership in times of uncertainty, and the need for individuals to remain steadfast in their commitment to service. He may also highlight the value of resilience, adaptability, and perseverance in the face of adversity—qualities that have been essential to his success and that of his colleagues in the military.

Moreover, Grady’s speech will emphasize the importance of ethical decision-making and personal integrity in leadership roles. As graduates prepare to step into leadership positions in various fields, they will benefit from his insights into how these qualities shape effective and responsible leaders.

The speech will undoubtedly be an emotional moment for the Class of 2025, providing them with both inspiration and motivation as they transition from the university setting into the broader world. Grady’s words will resonate as a call to action, urging graduates to not only excel in their chosen professions but to also dedicate themselves to service in ways that will have a lasting, positive impact on the world.