Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian will deliver the keynote address at Emory University's 181st Commencement on May 11. The university will also award him an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
Bastian marks 10 years as Delta's CEO in 2026, leading a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, including nearly 40,000 in Georgia. The airline is headquartered near Hartsfield-Jackson and serves nearly 200 million travelers annually to destinations in over 50 countries.
Interim President Leah Ward Sears praised Bastian's resilience and leadership through "unprecedented challenges," noting his commitment to employees, customers, and communities. Bastian called the invitation an honor, citing Emory's nearly 200-year legacy as "a source of excellence, inspiration and innovation for our entire community."
