On September 21, 2024, Western Governors University (WGU) hosted its commencement ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event was graced by keynote speaker Brandon P. Fleming, an esteemed educator, author, and the Founder & CEO of The Veritas School of Social Sciences.
Fleming’s journey from an at-risk youth and college dropout to a celebrated academic leader is both inspiring and transformative. Before establishing The Veritas School in Atlanta, Georgia, he served as a debate coach at Harvard University. In 2017, at the age of 26, Fleming was appointed as Harvard’s assistant debate coach. Recognizing the need for greater diversity, he founded the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, aiming to increase Black and brown student enrollment in Harvard’s residential debate program. Under his leadership, over 250 students of color were enrolled on full scholarships, with his cohorts achieving seven consecutive championships in international competitions.
In his address to the WGU graduates, Fleming shared insights from his personal journey, emphasizing the power of resilience, education, and the importance of creating opportunities for others. He encouraged the graduates to leverage their experiences to drive change and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
The Orlando commencement celebrated the achievements of 2,366 graduates, with degrees spanning business, health, technology, and education. Notably, 39% of the graduates hailed from Florida, and the cohort included a significant number of first-generation students and military veterans.
Fleming’s participation underscored WGU’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education and highlighted the transformative impact of perseverance and dedication.
For those interested in experiencing Fleming’s full commencement speech, you can watch it below:
