Team USA Athlete and CSU Alum to Speak at Graduation

The stage has been set for graduation at Colorado State University this May 16 at Canvas Stadium on campus.

The University announced the other day who will be the commencement speaker for the Class of 2026, and this time it's a local alum who recently competed on the world's stage.

Former CSU athlete and Team USA Bobsledder in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Hunter Powell will speak at this year's ceremony, from 10-11:30 AM at the university in Fort Collins.

Powell was part of the 4-man bobsled team that finished 11th at the games in Milan Cortina back in February. He and teammates Kris Horn, Caleb Furnell and Carsten Vissering posted a combined four-run time of 3.39.94, just 2.37 behind the gold medal team.

READ MORE: Former CSU Track Star Competing in 2026 Winter Games

Growing up in Fort Collins and graduating from both Fort Collins High School and Colorado State University, Powell was actually a track and field athlete who became a Mountain West Conference Champion and ultimately found an interest in bobsledding after meeting his now fiancee, Kaysha Love, who is a member of Team USA's women's bobsled team at the same 2026 Olympic Games.

Love finished 7th in the women's monobob at this year's Olympics, and her team finished 5th in the 2-woman bobsled event.

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A fellow Mountain Wester, Love graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas before herself finding bobsledding and earning a place on the 2026 Team USA.

Commencement at Colorado State will be held on May 16 this year, with 20 recognition ceremonies hosted by colleges and academic units on Friday and Saturday, the 15th and 16th as well.