Brennan and Kayiire Headline 2024 Commencement Speakers

In a campus-wide email announcement, Marist College revealed this year’s commencement speakers, Christine Brennan and Andrew Lutakome Kayiira Jr., ’04.

Brennan will address undergraduate students for Marist’s 78th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Brennan is a current sports columnist for USA Today and a pioneer for women in sports media.

After graduating from Northwestern University with an undergraduate and master's degree in journalism, Brennan became the Miami Herald’s first female sports reporter, covering the Miami Hurricanes football team. Brennan’s time at the Herald included the University of Miami’s national championship victory in the 1984 Orange Bowl, the subject of her first book, “The Miracle of Miami.”

Brennan would go on to write six more sports books, including “Inside Edge,” about Olympic figure skating, which was named to Sports Illustrated’s “The Top 100 Sports Books of All Time” list in 2002. 

In 1988, Brennan was also named the first president of the Association for Women in Sports Media, a volunteer-managed non-profit advocacy group for women in all fields of sports media. 

AWSM’s mission is to promote diversity in sports media, host events and conventions to honor women in the field and inspire the next generation of women who are interested in pursuing a career in sports media.

On May 17, Kayiira will speak at the commencement for master’s, doctoral and adult undergraduate students. Kayiira graduated from Marist in 2004 with a degree in English and pre-law. 

Kayiira’s Marist ties go beyond just his education, as both of his parents worked at the school while he grew up.

In 2018, Kayiira co-founded Eden Point Partners, LLC, a strategic advisory firm based in New York City. There, Katiire also holds the role of partner, assigned to develop technology and operational strategies.

Kayiira will be awarded the Distinguished Alumni Medal from the College during the ceremony.