Katie Ledecky to Speak at 2025 Stanford Commencement
Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky will speak at Stanford’s 134th Commencement ceremony in June, the university announced on Tuesday.
Ledecky graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a major in psychology and a minor in political science. She will address graduates at the ceremony on June 15 at Stanford Stadium.
Ledecky announced the news on social media Tuesday morning.
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“Katie’s story reflects the spirit of Stanford. As a scholar, an athlete, a teammate, and a trailblazer, she models the power of staying curious and collaborative in pursuit of excellence,” Stanford President Jonathan Levin said in a press release. “Her accomplishments in the pool and beyond are a testament to her extraordinary drive and determination. She is an ideal speaker to encourage our graduates to redefine what is possible.”
Ledecky is the owner of nine career Olympic gold medals and 14 total medals. She is tied with gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most Olympic gold medals in history (and second only to Michael Phelps’ 23); is tied with Australia Emma McKeon for the most total medals for a female swimmer and has the most medals all-time for an American woman. She is a 21-time World Champion and 26-time World Championships medalist.
She was one of 59 Stanford athletes to take part in the Paris Olympics, with that contingent returning 39 medals, the most for the school in a single Games.
“It will be with special joy that I address Stanford’s Commencement ceremony and celebrate in June with the graduates of the Class of 2025,” Ledecky said. “I was thrilled when President Levin and student leadership extended the invitation on behalf of the class. Stanford has played such a pivotal role in my educational and athletic life, and I look forward to honoring the graduates of the Class of 2025 as they dive into the next phases of their lives.”
Ledecky worked at the Mind & Body Lab at Stanford during her time there. The Bethesda, Maryland native won the Al Masters Award in 2017, he first year at Stanford, as the “Stanford student-athlete who meets the highest standards of academics, leadership, and athletic performance.” In addition to her postgraduate swimming accomplishments, Her 2024 memoir Just Add Water is a best-seller. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024.
“We are thrilled Katie Ledecky is our Commencement speaker,” said 2025 senior class presidents Jason Chen Lee, Danny Mottesi, Shreya Ramachandran and Blaine Wells, who worked with the Office of the President to select her as speaker. “For the first time, we invited the senior class to participate in the nomination process through a survey, and Katie stood out as the clear favorite. She exemplifies the resilience, grit, and passion the Class of 2025 cherishes. Many members of our class named her as their dream speaker! A heartfelt thank you to our class for their input, the Stanford Alumni Association for their support, and the president’s office for facilitating this opportunity.”