Olympic champion and gymnastics superstar Jade Carey added another monumental achievement to her already legendary career this weekend. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, Carey graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Communication Arts and delivered the keynote commencement address to a record-breaking Class of 2026. The ceremony took place at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, where Carey addressed a historic graduating class of 8,785 students who collectively earned 9,003 degrees. Selected by Provost Roy Haggerty to serve as the main speaker, Carey took on the dual role of graduate and orator with the same grace and excellence she has displayed throughout her athletic career.
During her collegiate career at Oregon State, Carey cemented her status as one of the greatest gymnasts in NCAA history. She became a 12-time NCAA All-American, won the prestigious 2025 AAI Award as the top senior female gymnast in the country, and joined the exclusive “Gym Slam” club by scoring perfect 10s across all four events. She also served as a student assistant coach for the team during the recent season, demonstrating leadership both on and off the competition floor. Her dominance helped elevate Oregon State’s gymnastics program to new heights, and her impact will be felt for years to come.
In her heartfelt commencement address, Carey praised Oregon State for providing her a supportive “village” throughout her journey. She encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace uncertainty and trust their unique paths. “Wherever your path takes you, even if it looks nothing like you planned, trust that it’s leading you exactly where you are meant to go,” Carey shared. University officials highlighted that despite her young age, Carey’s global achievements as an Olympic champion and her dedication to women’s sports perfectly embodied the pinnacle of leadership and student success. Her words resonated deeply with the record-breaking class, many of whom have followed her remarkable career.
While her collegiate chapter has now closed, Carey’s gymnastics journey is far from over. The Olympic gold medalist is already gearing up to return to elite competition, having registered for the American Classic in June to qualify for the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. Her ability to balance world-class athletic achievement with academic excellence serves as an inspiration to student-athletes everywhere. From Olympic glory to NCAA perfection to a college degree delivered with her own commencement speech, Jade Carey continues to prove that with dedication, resilience, and the right support system, extraordinary success is possible in every arena of life.