Washington, D.C. – May 22, 2025 – WNBA superstar and George Washington University (GW) alumna Jonquel Jones was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Sunday during GW’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony, where she also delivered an inspiring address to thousands of graduates gathered on the National Mall.
Jones, a 2019 graduate, 2024 WNBA Finals MVP, and member of the GW Athletics Hall of Fame, drew on her journey from the Bahamas to professional basketball stardom, offering a message rooted in resilience, intuition, and joy. “Success is rarely simple,” she told the Class of 2025. “It’s the journey that makes it worth it. That’s where you find your purpose, your people, and your power.”
Reflecting on her decision to attend GW, she emphasized trusting one’s instincts. “Your gut doesn’t lie,” Jones said. “That voice inside you is not just noise—it’s wisdom.”
A vocal advocate for social justice, mental health, and LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, Jones urged graduates to live with integrity and remember the communities that shaped them. “Impact matters more than status,” she said. “Lifting others up is one of the greatest forms of leadership.”
GW Provost Christopher Alan Bracey praised the academic achievements and character of the graduates, while Board of Trustees Chair Grace Speights and President Ellen Granberg applauded the support of faculty, families, and mentors. “You all exemplify the very best of George Washington University,” Granberg said.
Alumni Association President Maxwell Gocala-Nguyen welcomed the new graduates into a global network of over 330,000 alumni, encouraging them to pay their journey forward.
The 2025 ceremony upheld GW’s tradition as the only university to hold Commencement on the National Mall, celebrating both academic milestones and the spirit of lifelong impact.
CATION: PHOTO OF DR. JONQUEL JONES, BAHAMIAN WNBA CHAMPION FROM GW TODAY
