2025 Commencement Speaker

a man smiles at the camera. he sits in a wheelchair. there is a LeGrand Coffee House logo on the wall behind him.
Eric LeGrand
Eric LeGrand
Commencement Speaker
a man smiles at the camera. he sits in a wheelchair. there is a high-end bar behind him.

Eric LeGrand

 

Fairleigh Dickinson University is proud to announce that Eric LeGrand will serve as the Commencement speaker for this year’s ceremony taking place on Wednesday, May 14 at MetLife Stadium. A former Rutgers University football player, LeGrand’s inspiring journey of resilience and advocacy has made him a national figure of hope and determination.

LeGrand sustained a spinal cord injury during a game at MetLife Stadium, facing an uncertain prognosis. However, through relentless perseverance and an unwaveringly positive mindset, he has defied expectations, serving as a role model for countless individuals.

In 2013, he founded Team LeGrand, through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to advancing research and support for those living with paralysis. Since its inception, Team LeGrand has raised over two million dollars to continue Reeve’s legacy of advocacy and innovation in spinal cord injury treatment.

LeGrand’s impact extends far beyond his journey. As a participant in the Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network, he has undergone intensive rehabilitation, regaining movement in his shoulders and experiencing notable improvements in his overall health. His story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and medical advancements in spinal cord injury recovery.

Beyond his advocacy, LeGrand has built an impressive career as an author, sports analyst for ESPN, Sirius, the Big Ten Network, and Rutgers radio, and a highly sought-after motivational speaker. His influence has mobilized support for critical policies, groundbreaking research, and greater awareness of challenges faced by the paralysis community. In addition to his media career, he has become a successful entrepreneur, expanding his reach into various business ventures.

FDU is honored to host Eric LeGrand as this year’s Commencement speaker. His journey exemplifies the resilience, determination, and commitment to service that we hope to inspire in our graduates.

During the ceremony, Eric will deliver the commencement address and will be conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and hooded in Fairleigh Dickinson’s burgundy and blue colors.