Business Executive and University of Mary Washington alumnus Lou Marmo ’94 will be the school’s Commencement Ceremony speaker on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
From the classroom to the C‑suite, Lou Marmo’s career has been defined by adaptability and decisive leadership. The University of Mary Washington alumnus and 2026 Commencement speaker will return to campus on Saturday, May 9, 2026, to share lessons drawn from his journey as an executive, husband and dad. These insights, he hopes, will guide graduates as they take their first steps beyond Commencement and navigate the decisions that follow.
“It’s so much less about having a plan, and more about having a mindset centered around three simple concepts: being conscientious, being responsive to people and being decisive,” said Marmo. “No matter the career, you’ll be successful with these characteristics.”
He adds, “You are better off making a bad decision, getting more information, and then making a good decision, than sitting around waiting for something to happen.”
The decision to move from New Jersey to Virginia happened twice for Marmo, first as an undergrad to attend what was then Mary Washington College, and again in his professional life to find a home base in Richmond. That move was in part to be closer to his friends, including his college roommate, Chris Houchins ’94, who he counts as a friend for life.
“The thing I remember most from Mary Washington is the people – all of the friends,” he said. “We also got to know every professor on a personal level.” Read more about UMW’s 2026 Commencement Speaker.
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