Gov. Hogan's Commencement Speech
View Gov. Hogan's speech and find the transcript below:
Text of Gov. Hogan's speech:
President Matthews – members of the board…
Distinguished faculty – proud parents and families – alumni – friends...
And most importantly...
The extraordinary graduates – of the Washington College Class of 2026!
Congratulations!
I’m humbled – to be included as an honorary member of your class.
Today is a day you will remember for the rest of your lives.
It’s a day filled with pride – anticipation – and possibility.
It is also a day – that connects you – not just to your future…
But to a remarkable past.
Because Washington College – is not just any college.
You are graduating from an institution – with a purpose.
The first college chartered – after the declaration of independence.
Named for the man – who set the standards of leadership…
Service – and citizenship – for every generation that followed.
Today – as you begin the next chapter of your lives…
That founding purpose – becomes a part of your own story.
And what makes this moment even more meaningful – is that we gather…
Not only to celebrate your graduation…
But we do so – in the year of America’s 250th anniversary…
A moment to reflect on who we are…
How far we have come – and who we hope to be.
You graduate into a world of endless possibility and enormous uncertainty.
A world shaped by rapid technological change – artificial intelligence…
Global competition – economic disruption – and deep political division.
We’re not making this easy on you.
But what gives me hope – is that many of the leaders…
Who are capable of solving these problems…
Are sitting right here before me.
And here at Washington College – a place rooted in our founding values…
You have been prepared for exactly that.
In 1782 – when this nation was fragile – and uncertain…
When victory in the revolution – was not yet secured…
George Washington helped found this college…
Because he understood something profound:
That the strength of the republic would depend on…
The character of its people.
Washington wasn’t interested in fame.
He wasn’t interested in power – for its own sake.
In fact – at the height of his influence – he did something almost unimaginable.
When the revolutionary war was coming to an end…
Many of his fellow countrymen wanted him to become king…
Instead — he became the first conquering general in history…
To voluntarily relinquish power…
To a citizen government – yet to be formed.
King george iii said that if washington did that…
He would be the greatest man in the world.
Washington did not lead because he sought power.
He accepted power – because he believed in service.
And that principle – of service over self…
Is the very foundation of this college – and of our nation.
America was founded – on the radical idea…
That the ultimate authority – rests…
Not with a king – or a ruling class – but in – we the people.
Washington resigned his command – not far from here…
In the old senate chamber of the Maryland statehouse in Annapolis.
For eight years – i had the honor of working in the governor’s office…
Directly above that chamber…
And every day i was inspired by George Washington…
Putting the good of the country over his own ambition.
That act may have done more than any other – to secure our democracy.
In that moment – Washington demonstrated…
Something essential about leadership.
That it requires something harder than dominance.
It requires humility and restraint.
That is a lesson that i carried with me each and every day…
And it’s a lesson that i want to impart to you today.
For all its privileges – leadership is not about you.
It’s not about your title or your position.
It’s about using your talents to serve and make a difference for others.
Except today of course – today it is absolutely all about you.
Today we celebrate your achievements – your perseverance…
The nights you wondered if you would make it…
The friendships you built – the degree you earned…
Celebrate it – today – tonight – maybe even tomorrow too.
Why not – you deserve it.
But in the years to come – you will find what you contribute…
Is more important than what you consume.
It’s more about what you give back – than what you gain.
That is the rhythm of time well spent – and a life well lived.
And it’s not just about knowing when to step aside…
It’s about having the courage to step forward.
The moments that define you…
Are almost never –the safe or easy ones.
They’re the ones – where the outcome is uncertain – where the odds are long…
Where the easier choice – would be to sit back…
Or to let someone else go first.
And those are the moments – that require something else entirely.
When i first decided to run for governor 12 years ago…
I wasn’t supposed to win – not even close.
I had never held elective office.
I was outspent and outnumbered…
In a state where the political math – didn’t exactly work in my favor.
There were plenty of reasons not to run.
Plenty of people who told me not to run.
More than a few friends said…
That i didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.
But i believed that our state was heading in the wrong direction…
And i believe – that if you think something needs to change…
You have a responsibility to try to step-up and change it.
So we built a non-partisan grass-roots campaign from the ground up.
We traveled across the state – doing more listening than talking…
And we asked people for their trust.
Against all odds – something remarkable happened.
The people responded.
Not to a perfect campaign – and certainly not to a perfect candidate…
But to a willingness to step forward and change maryland for the better.
And we pulled off the biggest surprise upset victory in america.
And here’s the part i want you to remember.
You don’t have to be the most experienced…
You don’t have to be the most polished…
You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You just have to be willing to step forward – when it matters.
Because if you wait until you feel completely ready…
You’ll be waiting the rest of your life.
I’m only the second republican governor to be reelected…
In the entire 250-year history of our state.
And when people ask me what I’m most proud of from my two terms…
They expect me to name a piece of legislation – or a program.
We did accomplish a lot – we funded education at historic levels….
Made healthcare more affordable – we cleaned up the Chesapeake Bay.
We cut taxes – created jobs and balanced the budget.
But what I’m most proud of – is how we did it.
We advanced the best ideas regardless of which side of the aisle they came from.
We didn’t demand Republican solutions or Democratic solutions.
We sought out common-sense bipartisan solutions…
That worked for all Marylanders.
We debated without acrimony – and negotiated without hidden agendas…
And we compromised – without caring who got the credit.
How you lead – how you treat people – that becomes your reputation…
And eventually your legacy.
Over the course of those eight years…
I saw communities come together in moments of crisis.
I saw people reject the extremes and demand common sense.
I saw that deep down – there is far more that unites us —than divides us.
I saw how people respond when we lower the temperature…
And listen to one another…
When we put people over politics – and country over party.
In the end – your life will not be measured…
By what you earned – what you owned – or what titles you held.
It will be measured – by what you contributed…
By the people you lifted up…
The institutions you strengthened…
The principles you defended…
And by the difference you made.
In a world obsessed – with likes – followers and going viral…
Character — may seem like an old-fashioned notion.
But in life – it’s everything.
Your generation will shape technology we haven’t imagined…
Industries we haven’t created – and communities we haven’t built.
But the most important thing you build – will be your reputation.
Earlier this year – i announced that i would not be seeking elective office again.
I was humbled – by those who encouraged me…
To get back into that arena.
But the future – does not belong to one person – or one party.
It belongs to the next generation of leaders...
Willing to step forward with courage – character…
And a commitment to serve something greater than themselves.
And i wanted to find a way — to be a part of encouraging those leaders…
Which is why today I’m proud to announce…
The establishment of the Hogan Institute here at Washington College.
This non-partisan institute – will be a place where people come together…
Not to score points – but to solve problems.
A place for civil dialogue – practical thinking…
And restoring trust in our institutions.
We’ll bring experienced leaders to this campus…
To engage – to challenge – and to mentor.
Students will be able to participate in fellowships and internships…
And learn the skills of ethical leadership…
At a moment in time — when our nation desperately needs it.
I’m grateful for this opportunity to continue to serve.
For me – this is not just another initiative.
It will be the culmination of the work that i have devoted my public life to…
Strengthening democracy – restoring decency…
And proving – that the bonds that hold us together…
Are stronger than the forces that seek to tear us apart.
And if the work we begin here – helps even a few young leaders…
Choose civility over cynicism – and service over self…
Then i will consider it – the greatest honor of my public life.
I want to thank your new President Bryan Matthews — Susie Chase — Christine Wade…
And everyone at the college who has been working to make this possible.
And I invite each of you – our newest alumni – to be a part of this work.
Class of 2026:
Years from now – you won’t remember the words spoken here today…
Or every detail of the ceremonies…
But I hope – that you remember how this day felt.
I hope you remember the pride on your family’s faces.
I hope you remember the friendships…
And the professors and mentors who believed in you…
Remember this beautiful campus and community…
And as you walk across this stage – remember…
That you are part of a legacy…
That stretches back to George Washington…
And the founding of our republic.
You are inheriting a nation that is far from perfect…
Yet still full of promise.
250 years ago – a small group of patriots took a leap of faith…
And declared that self-government could endure.
Now it is your turn to prove them right.
Congratulations Washington College class of 2026.
And may God bless the United States of America on its 250th anniversary.
Thank you.