SLU Celebrates Class of 2026 at Commencement

SLU Celebrates Class of 2026 at Commencement

James Gunn found his purpose at Saint Louis University.

Gunn, a visionary writer, director and producer, started his college journey wanting to be a rock star. Along the way, he took a class in creative writing and his life changed.

"I found my voice at SLU, my calling -- storytelling," he said. "The birth of everything I've done, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' through 'Superman' through DC Studios was here."

Gunn, the co-chairman and chief executive officer of DC Studios, spoke to a packed crowd at Saint Louis University's 2026 spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at Chaifetz Arena. As a "wise elder," he offered four bits of advice to the newest Billiken graduates.

First, the SLU alum encouraged all of the graduates to finish whatever they started. He noted that the biggest difference between an amateur writer and a professional one is that a professional finishes projects.

"This sounds mundane and obvious, but you can never be successful if you don't finish whatever task you set out to do," he said.

His second bit of advice, he admitted, sounded counterintuitive - he told the graduates not to follow their dreams. He reminded the crowd that, as a young kid growing up in St. Louis, his goal was to become a famous rock star. Instead, he found a passion for something he was good at storytelling.

"Instead of following your dreams, find out what you're good at doing and what contributes to society," he said. "There is a state of flow that results from truly acknowledging our talents and being of service to others. I'm not saying take the easy way out, and I'm not saying you won't like your dreams if you follow them; I'm just saying don't make that the reason you're doing something. Don't chase something, be it."

Gunn also encouraged the graduates to be in service to others. He said his life is so much better when he listens to his generous side. He said his work has been dedicated to showing the world that caring for others matters.

"I spent 10 years of my life telling the story of a raccoon realizing that not only does he matter, but so does every single one of us," he said.

Finally, Gunn advised the graduates to embrace challenges and know that obstacles are opportunities. Gunn shared the story of when he was fired from Disney and felt his career was over. At his lowest, he was surprised to find himself surrounded by love.

"In the moment where I thought I had lost everything, I actually found what it is that I was looking for," he said. "I felt loved for the first time, really ever. That was the happiest moment of my life."

Gunn closed his speech with a simple message to the graduating class.

"The future is yours, and the world's future is you," Gunn said. "In all senses of the word, be good."

SLU President Edward Feser, Ph.D., praised the graduates for their hard work and dedication. He noted that everything that led them to reach this point would help them tackle the issues of tomorrow.

"I believe your SLU education, steeped in Catholic spirituality and the Jesuit tradition, will be an ever-renewing resource in these challenging but exciting times," he said.

Feser said the ceremony marking the end of a journey was a time for celebration.

"Graduates, this is a joyful day," he said. "It's a milestone you have long imagined. I guarantee it's a milestone your parents have long imagined. You've finished your final final exam. Put the cap on your capstone project. Tallied your last practicum hours. Filed that dissertation. You've completed quite a journey."

Feser said SLU's goal is to "educate ethical and inspiring doers." He explained that this means educating students who take action to make the world a better place.

"Communities and organizations do not flourish by accident," he said. "They flourish when people commit themselves to one another's success, privilege the team over the individual, think boldly and creatively, take smart risks, weather setbacks together, and persist in turning hope into reality. In other words, the people in this world who make good things happen are a lot like all of you."

Student speaker Riya Aradhyula said it was the people in Chaifetz Arena with her who made her SLU experience meaningful.

"SLU has become the place I had never known I needed, and that's because of all of you," she said. "When I think about these past four years and what has made me so proud to be a Billiken, I find that it all stems from how our mission runs through the veins of everything we are and everything we create."

Aradhyula, who majored in neuroscience, spent time at SLU as a member of Oriflamme and the SLU 101 First-Year Experience team. She said that during meetings with incoming students, the No. 1 question she was asked was what makes SLU special.

"This community, this family, is what makes me proud to be a Billiken," she said.

Aradhyula said she learned a lot at SLU, both in and out of the classroom. She said all the lessons learned at SLU have prepared the class of 2026 to succeed.

"Coming here, I thought I knew what the world expected of me, and that determined my next steps," she said. "SLU has surrounded me with passionate people who are ignited because they firmly believe in the work they are doing and find joy in it."

The SLU ceremony kicked off with the traditional carrying of the University mace. This year, the mace bearer was Wynne Moskop, Ph.D. Moskop came to SLU in 1990 and is a professor of political science, who has also taught in American Studies and Women's and Gender Studies. She has received the SLU Women's Commission and St. Louis YWCA Women Leaders Award, the Women's and Gender Studies Founders Award, and the Faculty Senate John A. Slosar Shared Governance Award.

In addition to the graduates being recognized, Saint Louis University also conferred honorary degrees upon Gunn and three other distinguished SLU alums - J. Joe Adorjan, Judge Henry Autrey and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, for their significant contributions to the arts, business, law and medicine.

An archive of the commencement ceremony can be found at Saint Louis University's YouTube page.