SLU President Edward J. Feser to Deliver SLU-Madrid's 2026 Commencement Address
Edward Feser, Ph.D., president of Saint Louis University, will deliver the keynote address at Saint Louis University-Madrid's 2026 spring commencement ceremony on Monday, May 11.
Feser's role in the 2026 spring commencement follows his visit to the Madrid campus during his first 100 days as president, a testament to his commitment to strengthening SLU's global presence and reinforcing its Jesuit mission.
"SLU's graduates are our University's greatest contribution to the world," said Feser. "The graduates of SLU-Madrid are poised to make a positive difference in communities around the globe. I am honored to celebrate this milestone with them."
Since assuming the presidency, Feser has prioritized collaboration across SLU's campuses, reinforcing connections between St. Louis and Madrid. His continued engagement highlights SLU-Madrid as a cornerstone of SLU's identity as a global institution and one of the few U.S. universities with a degree-granting campus in Europe.
The May 11 ceremony will recognize graduates from around the world. In addition to Feser's address, the University will celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2026.
About President Feser
As the 34th president of Saint Louis University, Feser leads a global Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis and Madrid. One of only 52 private R1 American institutions, SLU has more than 13,000 students and 4,000 employees, an annual operating budget of more than $600 million, and an endowment of $2 billion.
A respected scholar and higher education leader, Feser previously served as provost and executive vice president at Oregon State University, where he helped guide academic strategy and research initiatives. His work has focused on economic development, public policy and the role of universities in strengthening communities.
Feser is an alumnus of the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit university, where he earned a bachelor's degree in government. He went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
About SLU-Madrid
Saint Louis University-Madrid was established as a study abroad program in the 1960s and has evolved into a recognized center of international education in Spain. Today, SLU-Madrid educates students from around the world, providing four-year U.S. undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and credits for study abroad students at their home institutions.