The Marquette Tribune campus news since 1916
Volume 109, Number 22
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
www.marquettewire.org
Commencement decision a 'slap in the face'
Graphic by Allegra Delli Carpini allegra.dellicarpini@marquette.edu
Marquette University announced on Feb. 23 that Chris Duffey, alumnus and leader in the field of artificial intelligence, will serve as the 2026 commencement speaker.
Students, alumni frustrated with AI-centered choice, but university stands by its selection By Elena Metinidis
elena.metinidis@marquette.edu
A
number of Marquette University students simultaneously experienced a “slap in the face” Feb. 23 when the university announced Chris Duffey, alumnus and artificial intelligence leader, will be the 2026 commencement speaker. Though Marquette has remained steadfast in its decision despite backlash, some students and alumni are voicing their concerns. Tyler Hegdahl, a junior in the College of Business Administration, felt the decision goes against the university’s mantra of “being the difference.” “When you choose someone like this, it’s so disappointing,” Hegdahl said. Some students and alumni are disheartened about the decision; others are outright furious. The comment section under the commencement speaker announcement post on Marquette’s Instagram page — which features an AI-adapted photo of Duffey — is filled
www.marquettewire.org
EDITORIAL: Graduation speaker misrepresents MU
with over 200 accounts expressing disapproval. Duffey is recognized as a pioneer in the design, strategy and standards of AI systems. He’s currently the global executive for AI and agentic systems at Adobe. His book, “Superhuman Innovation: Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence,” was the first book about AI to have artificial intelligence as a co-author. Selection contradicts Jesuit values The university selected Duffy because his leadership in AI aligns with Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit mission, university spokesperson Kevin Conway told the Marquette Wire. Catholic, Jesuit teaching revolves around being “men and women for others,” and Marquette’s goal is to create students who are “transformed by their education and who will transform the world in which they live,” according to the university website. Kiley Brockway, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said she thinks the
commencement speaker doesn’t encompass those values and even took her concerns to then-Acting Provost Sarah Feldner. “It’s completely hypocritical of Jesuit values and the liberal arts education,” she said. Hegdahl called the decision a blow to Marquette’s reputation as a Jesuit university. “The supposed belief of leadership and service; those missions seem performative now,” he said. Ryan Smith, a sophomore in the College of Communication, said, if anything, AI is something Jesuit universities should be skeptical of. “It’s pretty insulting to everyone graduating who had four years of higher education and worked hard and struggled, just to have their speaker be platforming AI,” Smith said. Gigi Martin, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, has a major in computer science — a field threatened by AI. “It’s a tone-deaf choice
By Rachel Lopera
See COMMENCEMENT page 3
arquette University announced its 2026 undergraduate commencement speaker on Feb. 23 — alumnus Chris Duffey, an author and leader in artificial intelligence. With large disapproval immediately coming from students and faculty, the university needs to listen to our voices. Duffey is the global head of AI & Agentic Systems at Adobe and manages AI system behavior to support the platform. He is recognized as a global leader in AI and Agentic products and was named the 2025 Fluxx Visionary of the Year in Tech & AI. His experience is a main reason why Marquette President Kimo Ah Yun chose him as this year’s speaker. “He will bring a unique perspective to our graduates as they leave Marquette, facing an unprecedented landscape of technological advancement and ethical dilemma,” Ah Yun said. While Duffey has the qualifications to discuss
Index
News
Sports
SPORTS.......................................................5 OPINIONS..................................................9 FUN & GAMES.......................................10 A&E.................................................................11
Two people shot inside hospital near campus Marquette police did not send out a safety alert for the incident. PAGE 2
rachel.lopera@marquette.edu
M
A silver-tinted smile
Emery Lehman finished second in team pursuit at the 2026 Olympics. PAGE 5
AI, it is not the motivational pep talk the graduating class wants to hear. A speech about the technology that is predicted to take over 300 million jobs and impact 25% of the global labor market is extremely tone-deaf. Having a speaker badgering students about how to ethically use AI while it is stealing career opportunities from them is insensitive. Many students have worked hard — relentlessly studying, facing financial burdens and managing family matters — to receive a quality liberal arts education. To end such a journey by being preached at by someone who works with a technology that can easily replace one’s years of dedication is a tremendous disappointment. As our new graduates enter the workforce, they should leave with enlightenment, not a sense of impending doom. Compared to past commencement speakers, this year’s decision is a letdown. Marquette has had a See SPEAKER page 10
Arts & Entertainment
MU Filmmakers make space for creativity
The student-run organization is the result of a major rebrand. PAGE 11