University News

Actor Leads Slate of Finals Weekend Speakers

A University of Virginia alumnus who has starred in television hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19” will lead a slate of speakers planned for this year’s Finals Weekend, May 16-18.

Jason Winston George, a Virginia Beach native and 1994 UVA graduate, may be best known for playing Dr. Ben Warren on the medical drama, but he has also appeared in nine regular television roles and more than a dozen films. George had considered a law career until a UVA classmate convinced him to take a drama class.

George will speak May 16 at 3:30 p.m. during Valedictory Exercises at John Paul Jones Arena, the traditional kickoff of a weekend of celebrations for the Class of 2025 that will culminate with the graduation of about 8,000 Wahoos.

“I couldn’t be more honored to be coming back to Virginia, where so much of my life and education truly began,” George said. “I first discovered acting at the University, performed my first play in Culbreth Theatre, and met my wife my first year in Lefevre House. Now 30 years later, our own college-age children have me considering what words of wisdom I think this generation needs to hear. I’m excited for all of us to find out together.”

On Saturday, Michael Suarez, director of Rare Book School, will address graduates from the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the School of Education and Human Development.

Suarez, an English professor who came to UVA in 2009, also holds the honor of University Professor. A Jesuit priest, he is no stranger to graduation ceremonies; Suarez holds seven academic degrees. Since 2020, he has lived in Pavilion III on the Lawn.

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“I am delighted to help the community at Final Exercises to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 and to recognize the many contributions of our University to the common good,” Suarez said. “I only wish this honor came with an exclusive contract to sell the students their Mylar balloons.”

On Sunday, retiring Dean of Students Cedric Rucker will speak to graduates of the remaining UVA schools.

Rucker earned a master’s degree at UVA in the 1980s and later served the University as assistant dean of admissions. He spent most of his academic career – nearly 33 years – at his alma mater, the University of Mary Washington, where he earned the school’s “Eagle Beyond Compare” award.

Rucker retired from Mary Washington in 2022 and was scheduled to embark on a two-year commitment to the Peace Corps, but put those plans on hold when asked to serve UVA as interim senior associate dean in the Office of African-American Affairs. After that, President Jim Ryan asked Rucker to serve as the interim senior vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

Rucker said he was honored at the invitation to speak to the class, especially since he just rejoined the UVA community three years ago.

“I was embraced by this community in a very short time, and allowed to engage and make contributions,” Rucker said. “I love that about UVA. That’s what inspires me about UVA. I know from history and from my engagements with these students that they will be transformative in all sorts of ways.”

Rucker has visited 116 countries and, after retiring from UVA, plans to add to that tally.

Saturday’s and Sunday’s processions are scheduled to take place on the Lawn, but will be moved to John Paul Jones Arena if severe weather threatens.