Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) will welcome distinguished alumnus Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II as the keynote speaker for its 30th Fall Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, December 13, at 9 a.m. in the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome).

A ten-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Cleaver represents Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, the home district of President Harry S. Truman. His career in public service, rooted in integrity, fairness, and faith, reflects PVAMU’s mission to prepare students to lead, serve, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Congressman Cleaver, a native Texan, attended Prairie View A&M University, where he played football, joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and participated in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the era of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His formative years at PVAMU helped shape a lifelong commitment to community empowerment and civil rights.

Throughout his career, Congressman Cleaver has been recognized for his leadership and dedication to public service. In 2016, as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, he co-authored the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, the most significant federal housing reform in two decades, which passed unanimously in Congress. In 2018, he received the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award, joining a distinguished list of honorees including President Bill Clinton, Senator John McCain, and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Prairie View A&M University, established in 1876 as the first public institution of higher education in Texas for African Americans, has a long history of fostering leaders who make a national and global impact. Over its nearly 150-year history, the university has grown into a comprehensive, research-driven institution that upholds values of knowledge, character, and responsibility. Its alumni include educators, elected officials, business leaders, and innovators across a wide range of fields.

This fall, 708 students are set to graduate, including 12 doctoral, 160 master’s, 3 post-baccalaureate, and 533 undergraduate candidates. These graduates join PVAMU’s legacy of “Productive Panthers,” continuing the university’s tradition of leadership, service, and civic engagement.

Congressman Cleaver’s address is expected to inspire the next generation of leaders, reflecting the values and vision instilled in students throughout their time at Prairie View A&M University.