Hood College Announces Speakers for 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

Hood College is proud to announce the commencement speakers for the 2026 ceremonies. Nilah Magruder ’05 and Derrick Harrigan ’07, MBA ’14 will serve as the featured speakers for the College’s 129th undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies on May 16, 2026.

Magruder became the first Black woman to write for Marvel Comics in 2016 and has since worked on more than a dozen Marvel projects, including “Marvel Rising,” “Edge of Spider-verse,” and “Vault of Spiders.” Following her graduation from Hood in 2005, Magruder earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in computer animation from Ringling College of Art & Design in 2010 and has since built a more than 15-year career in television animation and marketing for television and film.

Harrigan earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 2007 and a Master of Business Administration in 2014 from Hood. He was among the first class of men admitted to Hood in fall 2003 when Hood became co-ed institution. Harrigan has served on Hood’s Board of Associates since 2022, serving as vice chair from 2023 to 2025 and now as chair since 2025. He is currently a fiscal and policy analyst in the Office of Management and Budget, Montgomery County Government. 

“My time at Hood College has shaped the person I've become. It is an immense honor to be invited back to meet the 2026 undergraduate class and see them off on their next great adventure,” said Magruder. “I hope some of the lessons I've learned over the years from my Hood days and beyond can be of use to them, or entertaining at the very least!”

“The greatest lessons I learned at Hood College weren’t confined to a classroom—they were built through relationships, resilience, and the courage to grow,” said Harrigan. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to share that journey with the Class of 2026.”

Hood will host two ceremonies, one for the undergraduate student body at 10 a.m. and one for the graduate student body at 3 p.m., in the Woodsboro Bank Arena within the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center. Magruder will speak at the undergraduate ceremony, with Harrigan speaking at the graduate ceremony.

Hood College’s Commencement Ceremony is a time-honored tradition that brings together students, faculty, families and friends to celebrate the academic and personal achievements of the graduating class. More details about the event, including full schedules, regalia orders and live updates, will be available at hood.edu/commencement.

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