Timothy Samad, selected as the winter 2026 commencement speaker at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, will address one of the university’s largest graduating classes, with nearly 600 students, according to an April 17 announcement. Samad said he sees himself not as standing above his classmates but among them, emphasizing shared experiences and collective achievement.
Samad’s selection highlights the significance of community and resilience among graduates. He described his role as a representation of a collective story shaped by late nights, academic pressure, and personal growth. “We struggle together,” he said.
Born in Indonesia into a family rooted in faith, Samad followed his parents’ legacy by serving in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later enrolled at BYU–Hawaii to study business management with minors in political science and music. His time on campus included marriage to his wife Alexie from the Philippines and welcoming their daughter while still pursuing his studies.
Reflecting on what it means to speak at commencement, Samad said: “It feels super special because I’m not only addressing this to [my classmates], but I’m addressing this with them.” He encouraged fellow graduates to remember that joy can be found even during hardships: “I want them to remember that they’ve done it, and they can do it again with any kind of situation.”
Samad emphasized that faith requires action: “My core topic that I want to address to the students is to keep moving forward with faith,” he said. He added that passive belief is not enough for growth: “For me, faith is an action word … you need to act on it.”
He also discussed how receiving his endowment at Laie Hawaii Temple after arriving at BYU–Hawaii deepened his understanding of purpose and identity. Marriage brought new structure and clarity; he explained how humility helped him grow personally and academically: “Being humble allows me to open my eyes to other opportunities.”
Diversity was another theme for Samad who noted BYU–Hawaii’s international student body representing around 60 countries fosters confidence navigating cultural differences beyond campus life.
As graduation approaches for both himself—a husband and father—and hundreds of others this semester, Samad concluded: “The faith aspect allows you always remember your purpose.” For him—and for many—commencement marks not an ending but a continuation shaped by effort, purpose, and moving forward.
