NYU Selects Professor Jonathan Haidt as 2026 Commencement Speaker
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt will address graduates at Yankee Stadium on Thursday after NYU administrators praised him as one of the most consequential scholars of the 21st century. The Student Government Assembly’s executive committee objected in a statement emailed May 5, calling the choice a regression that fails to reflect student values. NYU said there are zero plans to replace him.
nypost.comNew York University has selected Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist at the university’s Stern School of Business, to deliver the 2026 commencement address at Yankee Stadium. According to NYU spokesperson Wiley Norvell, Haidt teaches one of the most popular classes at the university and his latest book has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for 100 weeks.
The selection was announced on May 13. NYU stated there are zero plans to prevent Haidt from taking the stage. Previous NYU commencement speakers have included Molly Shannon, Taylor Swift, Martha Minow, Sanna Marin, David Boies, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
On May 5 the executive committee of the NYU Student Government Assembly sent a statement to administrators objecting to the choice. The SGA said a commencement speaker should “mirror the ambition and diversity” of the graduating class and cited Taylor Swift as an example of such a speaker. The student statement called Haidt’s selection “a regression” from previous choices.
” The students also asked: “Does NYU lack the necessary funding for the honorarium?
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-05-05
NYU Student Government Assembly’s executive committee emails objection statement to administrators
2 sourcesNYU Student Government Assembly · Hot Air - 2026-05-13
Hot Air publishes article on student objections to Haidt
1 sourceHot Air - 2026-05-15
NYU commencement scheduled for Yankee Stadium with Jonathan Haidt as speaker
3 sourcesNYU · nypost.com · The New York Times
Potential Impact
- 01
Haidt proceeds with address, exposing graduates to his critiques of phone-based childhood and university culture
- 02
Potential for continued campus debate over speaker selection and representation of graduating class values
- 03
Student government criticism may amplify discussion of diversity, equity and inclusion policies at NYU
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
BBC NewsTrump Meets Advisers to Decide on Iran Ceasefire Extension
President Trump said he is holding a Situation Room meeting to make a final decision on a possible deal with Iran. The proposed agreement would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
middleeasteye.netTrump to Decide on Iran Deal in Situation Room Meeting
President Trump said Friday he is heading into the Situation Room to make a final determination on a potential agreement with Iran. The proposed deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and require destruction of Iran's highly-enriched uranium.
realitytea.comTrump Says U.S. Will Lift Iran Naval Blockade After Nuclear and Hormuz Pledges
President Trump stated the U.S. will end its naval blockade of Iran once Tehran commits to forgoing nuclear weapons and opens the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping. The announcement came via Truth Social and a live statement.