CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Former University of Virginia Jim Ryan told the school’s Class of 2026, and the crowd at Friday’s valedictory exercises to, “Do the right thing, always.”

“I believe doing the right thing means living your values, even when it’s hard and when no one else is looking,” Ryan, who served as the university’s president from 2018-2025, said in his remarks.

Ryan was invited to give Friday’s speech at John Paul Jones Arena by the students’ graduation committee.

Class of 2026 graduation committee chair Ella Kreft introduced Ryan, calling him “genuine and true.” Kreft referenced “Runs With Jim” and Ryan’s openness hosting students at his home on Carrs Hill.

“This university is a better place with him a part of it,” Kreft said.

Ryan, who declined to answer questions from Cville Right Now following the event, didn’t shy away from the circumstances of his resignation. With the university facing a number of Department of Justice investigations into its pro-diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Ryan announced he would step down from his position in June.

Ryan said at the time he was “inclined to fight” against the pressure from the federal government, but feared what the impact on UVA would be if he resisted.

He later accused then-incoming Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan of orchestrating his ouster.

When Gov. Abigail Spanberger took office in January, she replaced Sheridan was part of an overhaul of the BOV.

Friday, Ryan told the crowd he had hoped to “graduate” from UVA with the Class of 2026.

“I was allowed, you might even say encouraged, to graduate a year early,” said Ryan, who is currently on sabbatical.

In all, 8053 degrees will be conferred during the weekend at UVA.

Valedictory Exercises are run by the students and includes recognition of student award winners, the presentation of the senior class’s gift back to the school and a keynote speaker, chosen by the student leaders.

As the crowd filtered into JPJ, the homecourt of the university’s basketball programs, it was entertained by performances by the Virginia Belles and The Virginia Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen capped their performance with a rendition of the Good Old Song.

Class of 2026 Vice President Annie Zhao opened the speeches by urging her fellow graduates, “be present, because this weekend will move fast.”

Class of 2026 trustee Rhea Zahir presented UVA track and field runner Myles C. Plummer with the Louis A. Onesty Memorial Schol-Athlete Award, and Bridges to Learning the James Earle Sargeant Award, for an organization that works to enrich the university community.

Class of 2026 trustee Wyatt Dayhoff introduced Rachel S. Mulvaney as the recipient of the Community Service Award, Dareen Y. Aloudeh as the winner of the Cultural Fluency Award, and Grace E. Caramanis as the recipient of the Orange and Blue Award, for spirit, leadership and care.

Shan’Jae Golden presented the three recipients of this year’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards for unselfish service, humility and deep care for others – Megan C. Life, Lucas R. Fuller and Tashana Dawn Starks.

Fourth-year Matthew Heilman accepted the Gordon F. Rainey Jr. Award for Vigilance to the Student Experience to his late mother, Prof. Carrie Heilman, who passed after a battle with cancer. Matthew Heilman received a standing ovation as he concluded his remarks and accepted the award.

Kailyn Dickerson and Wyatt Packer presented UVA President Scott Beardsley with the Class of 2026’s gift back to the school – a check for $58,714 from 2,372 students, money directed to over 400 organizations across UVA.

During their remarks about their “Hoos Leaving A Legacy” campaign, they referenced Ryan’s Great and Good plan.

Beardsley opened his remarks by thanking the day’s speakers, specifically mentioning Ryan, drawing a loud ovation.

Class of 2026 President Keoni Vega joked that while his position normally would be the final speaker of the day, “speaking after President Ryan is probably not where I want to be in the lineup.”

Ryan then was introduced by Kreft, taking the podium to a standing ovation and delivering a speech he said was partially inspired by one given by Winston Churchill during World War II, in which he famously said, “Never give in. Never, never, never, never.”

Ryan’s refrain Friday was to do the right thing, and he posed a question to the graduating class.

“If not you, who?” Ryan said. “… Doing the right thing is contagious.”

Near the end of Ryan’s speech, he asked the graduates to thank someone in the audience who helped them reach that moment. He led the audience in a round of applause for all the people at UVA he didn’t get the chance to thank when he was forced to abruptly resign.

That drew another standing ovation.

Ryan thanked his wife, Katie, bringing the crowd to their feet one more time.

“She cared about all of you as much as I did,” Ryan said.

Ryan emotionally concluded his remarks, telling the graduates, “you give me hope.”