Beshear teases presidential run, gets honorary degree at Kentucky college

As Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear prepared to give a commencement address to Berea College graduates on Sunday, his former poet laureate introduced him as someone “we need” to be the President of the United States.

Silas House, professor of Appalachian studies and the first openly gay poet laureate of Kentucky who was appointed by Beshear in 2023-2025, touted the governor’s high nationwide approval rating.

“He’s the most popular Democratic governor in the whole country,” House said. “I’m sure that many of you will agree with me that all these times and more are reasons we need him to be our next President of the United States. Make it happen.”

Beshear’s commencement speech leaned on his advocacy for marginalized communities including immigrants and LGBTQ+ people – something that aligns with the college’s motto: “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth.” In fact, the student choir opened the ceremony with the song, “Seasons of Love,” from the quintessentially queer rock musical, “Rent,” which is rooted in inclusivity, and says life is measured in love.

“Feels pretty good to be in a place that values diversity,” Beshear said. “Feels pretty good to be in a place that doesn’t view the word inclusion as a bad thing.”

In an interview that aired Thursday, Beshear told MS NOW that he is “comfortable” being named as a potential Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential race.

Berea College was founded by abolitionists in 1855, and was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. The school has offered free tuition for all students since 1892, thanks to an over $1 billion endowment, and requires students to work 10 hours per week on campus to prepare them for the workforce after graduation.

“John G. Fee, Berea College’s founder, was a leader that brought meaningful change, even back in the 1950s before the Civil War,” Beshear said, and was met with applause. “Fee understood that racism and discrimination have no place in this country, and it still has no place in this country.”

Among the 236 graduates were 109 first-generation college grads, and 16 were from international countries, according to Berea College President Cheryl L. Nixon.

Without calling President Donald Trump by name, Beshear condemned a phrase Trump has used to threaten military action against people who don’t agree with him, as well as immigrants without permanent legal status in the U.S.

“We have been told our neighbor is ‘the enemy from within,’ but he or she is just our neighbor doing their best in this difficult world,” Beshear said. “...I believe in the golden rule that says we love our neighbor as our self. Again, no asterisks, no exceptions. We love all of our neighbors.”

While studying in a starkly conservative state, many graduation caps were adorned with flags from students’ countries. It was the first time Berea graduates were given extra graduation caps to throw in the air without losing their own, Nixon said.

“Look at this joyful room filled with all of these beautiful people, surrounded by these colorful flags,” Nixon said. “So many different types of people… from many geographic areas and nations, of many races and ethnicities, of many religions and faiths, of many beliefs, ideas, opinions and insights. But look at us, we are all here together as one.”

Beshear recalled when he vetoed Senate Bill 150, which banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender kids in Kentucky, and restricted which bathrooms students can use in public schools, among other limitations. But lawmakers overrode the veto, and the bill was enacted in March 2023, eight months before he ran for reelection.

“The super majority of the General Assembly sent me the nastiest piece of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation our state had ever seen…” Beshear said. “They wanted it to cost my reelection, and you know what I did? I still vetoed it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Students weren’t the only ones to leave with graduation stole over their shoulders.

Nixon conferred Beshear with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, which is a prestigious title given to people who’ve contributed heavily to society without requiring them to complete academic coursework.

“On the recommendations of the faculty of Berea College, and by the authority tested in the board of trustees, it is my honor to confer upon… a champion for civil rights, a steadfast advocate for children, a passionate proponent for education, healthcare and economic welfare, and a compassionate leader,” Nixon said.

Beshear encouraged graduates to understand the “why” behind their beliefs, and be willing to understand others’ “whys” too. He said this will help create productive conversations across party lines.

“It’s about moving beyond just what you think, and getting to why you’re willing to deal with the toxicity of politics, why you’re willing to go into that tough field, why you’re willing to serve people in this country or abroad,” he said.

Themes of unity were again felt as Nixon hugged each graduate, one by one, when they received their diplomas and walked across the stage.

“We are small enough that at Berea each and every student that we are celebrating today, we know them for their unique self,” she told them.