Commencement Ceremony – June 20, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
Catholic International University is honored to announce that Dr. James Gregory will serve as the keynote speaker for the University’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony on June 20, 2026, in Washington.
Dr. Gregory is a distinguished physician, educator, veteran, businessman, and Catholic ministry leader whose life reflects a deep commitment to faith, service, education, and leadership. After a remarkable 35-year career in academic medicine and critical care surgery, he returned to graduate studies at Catholic International University, where he pursued advanced theological and educational ministry formation.
Known to many simply as “Doc,” Dr. Gregory earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University Chicago in 1980 and his medical degree from Rush Medical College in 1984. He completed his General Surgery residency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, followed by a fellowship in Surgical and Anesthesia Critical Care at The Ohio State University.
Throughout his medical career, Dr. Gregory served as professor of surgery at three American universities and held international academic appointments, including a professorship at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, he has published extensively in medical journals and contributed chapters to major surgical textbooks. His professional work consistently emphasized medical education, mentorship, and formation.
Dr. Gregory also served his country with distinction in the United States Navy, including service as Director of Trauma for Joint Coalition Naval Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Following his retirement from medicine in 2020, Dr. Gregory devoted himself more fully to Catholic ministry and community service. In 2023, he was appointed as the first formal Director of Religious Education for his parish and school community following the establishment of the ministry by Pope Francis in the 2021 motu proprio Antiquum Ministerium. In this role, he provides leadership and oversight for faith formation and educational ministries.
Dr. Gregory remains deeply active in Church and community life through RCIA, youth ministry, prison ministry, pro-life outreach, fatherhood mentoring, and service with the Knights of Columbus as a Fourth Degree Knight. He also serves the local community through the Boy Scouts of America as a Unit Commissioner.
He and his wife, Sara Gaines Gregory, PharmD, are the proud parents of five children and grandparents of ten grandchildren.
Catholic International University is proud to welcome Dr. Gregory back to the University community as the 2026 commencement keynote speaker, where his witness to lifelong learning, faithful service, and vocational leadership will inspire this year’s graduating class.