Unity Environmental University today announced that renowned science educator, engineer, and climate advocate, Bill Nye, will deliver the keynote address at its May 2026 commencement ceremony at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.
Known worldwide as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” Nye is a science educator, engineer, inventor, New York Times best-selling author, and CEO of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest independent space-interest organization. His decades of work advancing public understanding of science, climate change, and space exploration have inspired millions of learners of all ages.
“I’m excited to deliver the commencement address at Unity Environmental University. With degrees in environmental sustainability and stewardship, these graduates are equipped to address the environmental challenges facing us today,” said Bill Nye. “I’m honored to be asked to speak and I’m looking forward to spending time with graduates who will be able to change the world.”
“Commencement is one of the most important days in the life of a Unity learner,” said Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, president of Unity Environmental University. “Many of our graduates are traveling from across the country, often with parents, partners, children, and grandparents who have cheered them on through late-night classes and long work shifts, to celebrate the culmination of years of sacrifice and hard work. We owe it to them to create a moment that is unforgettable. Inviting Mr. Nye reflects who our students are: working adults, first-generation learners, active-duty service members and career-changers who believe, as he does, that science, environmental stewardship, and innovation can change the world. Having him send them into their next chapter, alongside the team at Unity, is both an honor and a powerful affirmation of the impact they’re going to have.”
In addition to his iconic television work, Nye has authored numerous books on science and the climate crisis, hosted the series Bill Nye Saves the World, and continues to advocate for science education and public activism toward climate change on the national and global stage.
Unity’s May 2026 commencement will celebrate graduates from its nationwide online programs as well as in-person students who study at the university’s learning sites in Maine.
Unity Environmental University has a strong tradition of welcoming influential voices to commencement, including science communicators, environmental leaders, and public thinkers whose work aligns with the university’s mission of sustainability, innovation, and impact. Past commencement speakers have included figures such as renowned astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, Academy Award–winning mountaineer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin, and famed wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin.
Unity’s May 2026 commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. The event will honor graduates from Unity’s nationwide online programs as well as in-person learners studying at the university’s Maine-based learning sites.
