Engineering Graduate Jordy Nuñez ’23 CE to Deliver Student Speech at 2023 Commencement
Jordy Nuñez ’23 CE
Jordy Nuñez ’23 CE has a surprise in store for his mother at Villanova’s 2023 Undergraduate Commencement.
In addition to receiving his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Nuñez will take the stage on May 19 as the student speaker for the Class of 2023. Nuñez, of River Vale, N.J., was chosen by Villanova’s deans and other administrators after a series of speech competitions this spring. Only his mom has no idea.
“It’s been hard to keep a secret,” Nuñez says with a laugh, “but I think her coming on Friday and not knowing yet, seeing me up on stage and hearing the speech, it’s going to be super special.”
It’s a fitting surprise, especially considering the primary focus of Nuñez’s 8-minute speech: family. Nuñez says he plans to recognize his parents’ support and encouragement as he pursued his undergraduate degree, as well as his brother Jose’s influence in his choosing to attend Villanova. Jose Nuñez, who is two years older than Jordy, graduated from Villanova with an Economics degree in 2021.
The speech will also touch on faith—namely how the Villanova community’s faith in the University helps all students develop as individuals.
“At this point, Villanova is just like home,” Nuñez says. “The age range when you’re 18 to 22 is such a vital development period for everybody. I’m proud and I’m happy that it was at Villanova where I was able to develop as an individual.”
After starting his undergraduate career as a student-athlete on the track and field team, he later put athletics aside to focus on his studies in Engineering. In addition to completing Villanova’s Summer Business Institute as a rising sophomore, Nuñez also served as treasurer of the Association of Latino Professionals for America and was a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the Villanova Real Estate Society and Sigma Nu fraternity.
This summer, Nuñez will move to New York City to join Suffolk Construction as a project engineer. Before that, though, he will revel in this opportunity to speak at Commencement and thank his family and Villanova for shaping who he is today.
“Honestly, I haven’t been able to wrap my head around it,” he says. “This is a day that many people will remember forever, so being able to play a little part in that is just so beautiful and a true honor.”