White House correspondent, CSU alum Eugene Daniels named University-wide Commencement speaker
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Fort Collins – A Colorado State University alumnus working at the height of U.S. political journalism will return to campus in mid-May to inspire about 5,500 graduating students and their guests during the Spring 2025 University-wide Commencement celebration at Canvas Stadium.
Eugene Daniels, who was named MSNBC senior Washington correspondent on March 3, will be the speaker during the commencement celebration on May 16, which is expected to attract thousands of students, guests and members of the CSU community.
“Colorado State University is the place that I found myself, my voice and, more importantly, my career,” Daniels said. “The professors, students and advisers I met in my years there changed my life in more ways than I can count. I am so honored that President Parsons asked me to serve as commencement speaker.”
New MSNBC role
This spring, Daniels, 36, will take on a second new role as co-host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend” on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He has been an MSNBC contributor for several years and, before becoming a correspondent and host for the network, was a White House correspondent for Politico and co-author of the influential morning newsletter “Politico Playbook.”
Daniels is also president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, which works to uphold the First Amendment and ensure robust news coverage of the president and presidency. In this role, Daniels has often spoken about the importance of a free press in a representative democracy.
“I’m thrilled that CSU alumnus and nationally known journalist Eugene Daniels will be speaking at our first-ever University-wide Commencement ceremony,” CSU President Amy Parsons said. “From his time as a student working at CTV, to his current role as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Eugene’s remarkable achievements and his dedication to the profession of journalism make him the perfect inspiration for our graduates as they begin their next chapter.”
May 16 ceremony
Daniels will speak at CSU’s University-wide Commencement beginning at 4:30 p.m. May 16 in Canvas Stadium. The event will create new traditions by bringing together all graduating students, their guests and a special keynote speaker to commemorate milestone achievements with the energy and optimism of thousands of celebrants. Graduating students must RSVP by April 1 to receive tickets for guests.
The University-wide Commencement will be paired with smaller recognition ceremonies during which student names will be read, students will cross stages and diploma covers will be distributed. These ceremonies are set at varying times between May 15 and May 18, with locations including Moby Arena and the Lory Student Center, among other campus sites. Students are invited to attend both University-wide Commencement and individual recognition ceremonies.
Daniels’ background
Daniels came to CSU from his home in Texas to play as a defensive lineman on the Rams football team; he was ultimately sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Yet, Daniels’ focus on journalism took off: He was a staffer at the Collegian, KCSU, College Avenue and CTV, hosting a late-night talk show called “Daniels After Dark.” He graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and technical communication.
As a student, Daniels was known for approaching projects with gusto, recalled Greg Luft, journalism professor and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Communication.
“I remember a lot of us saying the words, ‘He’s going to be famous,’” Luft said. “When you would talk to Eugene, he always had a thousand ideas, and you couldn’t help walking away from him without just knowing he was going to be successful.
“He has an innate sense about how to adjust his social self to any sort of event or person, from funny, to casual and friendly, and including official business, and that is a great skill to have, especially in journalism.”
Remained engaged
The 2025 commencement won’t be the first time Daniels has returned to his alma mater. Daniels has spoken on several journalism panels over the years and helped the journalism department celebrate its 50th birthday in 2018.
“It’s wonderful to watch his career take off and to see him succeed,” Luft said.
For all the details about University-wide Commencement and individual recognition ceremonies, visit https://commencement.colostate.edu.