Longwood announces Chief Justice Bernard Goodwyn, Colonial Williamsburg CEO Cliff Fleet as commencement speakers

As the nation celebrates its 250^th anniversary, a pair of leaders with deep ties to Virginia history and culture will address the Longwood Class of 2026 at commencement ceremonies on May 15-16.

Bernard Goodwyn's tenure as chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court concluded earlier this year, and he will serve as the University's undergraduate commencement speaker. An acclaimed lawyer and jurist, Goodwyn was originally appointed to the Virginia Supreme Court in 2007 and served a four-year term as Chief Justice from 2022-26. The Virginia Supreme Court is among America's oldest judicial bodies, with roots predating the Revolution.

In 2025, Goodwyn received the Gerald L. Baliles Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Bar Association, its highest honor, given for exceptional service and contributions to the bar and public at large. He is the former co-chair of the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, a group created by the Supreme Court, which focuses on the civil legal needs of Virginians while working on issues of access to justice.

A native of Southampton County, Goodwyn began his career in private practice in Charlottesville and Norfolk before serving as judge in the Chesapeake General District Court and First Judicial Circuit Court. He is a graduate of Harvard University, where he played football and ran track, and the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was selected for the Ritter Prize for his honor, character, and integrity.

Goodwyn will address graduating seniors at the undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m. on Wheeler Mall.

Cliff Fleet III is the president and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which administers the world's largest living history museum. He will serve as the graduate commencement speaker on May 15.

Under Fleet's leadership, Colonial Williamsburg has taken a central role in the planning and celebration of America's 250^th anniversary, including a year of educational, preservation, and civic events that mark the American Revolution.

Fleet was named the ninth president of Colonial Williamsburg in 2020 and has launched a $600 million campaign to support the museum's mission. Previously, he served as President and CEO of 22^nd Century Group and Philip Morris USA. He is an adjunct professor at William & Mary and co-chair of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable. Fleet holds four degrees from William & Mary and is the former president of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

He will address graduates at the graduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the Joan Perry Brock Center.

"Justice Goodwyn and Cliff Fleet are Virginians who are deeply connected to the history, life, and legacy of the Commonwealth, and are public servants whose careers shape our understanding of our nation," said President W. Taylor Reveley IV. "I am deeply grateful they will join us on this celebratory occasion as we honor the Class of 2026 in this 250^th anniversary year."