JCSU 15th President Dr. Valerie Kinloch places the doctoral hood on Governor Wes Moore
CHARLOTTE, NC / MAY 17, 2026 - Johnson C. Smith University bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Maryland Governor Wes Moore during the university’s 153rd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 17 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. It was a celebration of Governor Moore’s record of service and steadfast commitment to issues of equity, education and opportunity for all.
Before delivering a stirring commencement address to the Class of 2026, Moore was awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by JCSU’s 15th President, Dr. Valerie Kinloch ’96 alongside Steven Boyd ‘79, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Patrick Martin, Provost and Chief Academic Officer.
In the preamble to the honorary degree conferral, President Kinloch shared an extensive overview of Governor Moore’s academic achievements, military background and professional accomplishments with the crowd of graduates, families, alumni and supporters. The list included Moore’s time at Valley Forge Military Academy and his time as a lieutenant at Fort Bragg.
“The Honorable Wes Moore, the 63rd Governor of the State of Maryland, and Maryland’s first Black governor — is what we call a history maker,” Kinloch said.
President Kinloch reminded the rousing crowd of more than 1,000 attendees and more than 200 graduates that Moore was “named the first Black Rhodes Scholar in the history of Johns Hopkins University,” and later “earned a master’s degree in international relations from Oxford University.”
President Kinloch also highlighted Moore’s distinguished leadership experience, including serving as a White House Fellow, CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation and, like Kinloch herself, a current Aspen Ascend Fellow.
Kinloch additionally noted that Moore is the New York Times bestselling author of The Other Wes Moore, a book that explores themes of hardship and opportunity, mentorship and identity. Each graduate in the JCSU Class of 2026 received a signed copy of the book on site.
Moore, only the third Black governor elected in the history of the United States, has built a national reputation as a leader focused on economic mobility, education, and public service. He strives to strength marginalized communities. A combat veteran, Moore has consistently used his platform to advocate for the underserved and expand pathways to opportunity.
As President Kinloch and Provost Martin formally bestowed the doctoral hood upon Governor Moore, JCSU Board Chairman Steven Boyd delivered the official conferral.
“Wes Moore, it is with great honor and under the authority entrusted in me by the Board of Trustees that I bestow upon you the Doctor of Humane Letters,” Boyd said.
Following the conferral, Moore delivered a powerful commencement address that challenged graduates to pursue lives powered by purpose.
“I know Johnson C. Smith was built for a moment like this because Johnson C. Smith was built in a moment like this,” Moore told graduates and guests. “This institution takes in students and produces leaders.”
The crowd offered moments of spontaneous endorsement, defining the governor as a presidential contender. “Future President,” one attendee exclaimed while others echoed the call for a Moore presidential run. President Kinloch encouraged the audience to speak while she and the governor smiled and listened.
According to attendees, the conferring of the honorary degree marked one of the most memorable moments of the university’s commencement history. JCSU leaders said the recognition reflects the university’s longstanding tradition of honoring visionary leaders at commencement while positioning the university for transformational impact.
