WashU students celebrate at the senior toast. (Bri Nitsberg | Managing Photo Editor)

Andy Cohen was announced as the 2026 Commencement speaker by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin at the annual Class Toast event on March 24. Cohen will speak at WashU’s University-wide Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2025, at 9 a.m. on Francis Field.

Cohen is an Emmy-award winning radio and television talk show host, writer, and producer. He is best known for Bravo’s late-night show “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” and for being the creator of The Real Housewives franchise. Cohen has also worked on a number of other hit shows, including “Top Chef” and “Project Runway,” and co-hosts CNN’s annual “New Year’s Eve Live” special with Anderson Cooper. He is also the first openly gay host of a late-night talk show. 

Cohen is a St. Louis native, having grown up in Clayton and graduated from Clayton High School in 1986. In the announcement video, Cohen joked about St. Louis, saying, “Seniors, I’ll see you May 15. I’ll bring the Imo’s and the Busch Beer.”

WashU seniors reacted with excitement to the announcement of Cohen. 

“I think it’s so great that we have somebody from St. Louis who is also so prolific in media and in our current debates,” senior Sophie Weiss said. “I’m hoping that he shows up with some of his New Year’s Eve commentary and entertainment, and I’m very excited.”

Senior Leah Sager said that her best friend, who graduated from WashU last year, adores Cohen, and Sager was excited on her friend’s behalf that Cohen will be speaking at WashU.

“Her favorite person ever is Andy Cohen,” Sager said. “So I called her up immediately. She said she might fly out just for him.”

Senior Chris Harvey is from St. Louis and said he has met Cohen.

“I love that he’s from St. Louis, and I know him personally,” Harvey said. “My best friend from high school, her dad, is best friends with Andy Cohen, so I got to meet him at Thanksgiving. He’s very nice, and I love his kids too.”

Martin also announced the other speakers who will deliver addresses at the 2026 graduation ceremony. 

Senior Mason Shaver will deliver the undergraduate Commencement speech. Shaver, who is majoring in political science and educational studies, is a Questbridge scholar and has been a Pershing and St. Louis Fellow, two fellowships in the St. Louis area dedicated to civic engagement. 

The graduate Commencement speaker will be Sejal Popat, a master’s in fine arts student at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts studying illustration and visual culture. 

Susan Stiritz, a professor emerita at the Brown School, will serve as honorary grand marshal and will lead the academic procession.  

In addition to Cohen, the University named five other individuals who will receive honorary degrees at the May 15 ceremony: Kwofe Coleman, Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis president and CEO; Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism; Michael McDonald, lead singer of the Doobie Brothers; Marcus Raichle, Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the medical school; and Anabeth and John Weil, philanthropic donors.