Dr. Daniel E. Walker to serve as Commencement keynote speaker

April 21, 2026

Dear Chaffey Community, 

I am pleased to announce that our keynote speaker for our 109th Commencement is author, filmmaker and historian Dr. Daniel E. Walker.  A Fontana native with deep roots at Chaffey College, Dr. Walker is an award-winning television and film producer, and a global leader in the movement to preserve and celebrate the history of Black gospel music. 

He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, “No More, No More: Slavery and Cultural Resistance in Havana and New Orleans.”  A highly sought-after public speaker and global thought leader, Dr. Walker’s work has been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR, and the New York Post.  Read more about Dr. Daniel E. Walker.

As our campus community and soon-to-be graduates prepare for the big day, we continue to hear and learn about inspiring stories of determination and success from the graduating class. Just recently, NBC4 News featured one of our high school dual enrollment students, Hailey Contreras, who will be graduating from Chaffey College before she graduates from high school! She also happens to be the student class speaker at commencement. Watch the news clip here. 

Commencement will be held at the Toyota Arena on Thursday, May 21 at 4 p.m. I look forward to celebrating our graduates with you soon!

Sincerely,

Henry D. Shannon, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President