Faith in the Future

Spring 2026 Commencement Speaker and Outstanding Graduate Matthew McBride Reflects on Purpose, Gratitude and Growth

When Matthew McBride talks about his time at the University of Louisville College of Business, he does not begin with awards. He begins with gratitude. Gratitude for the God who gave his life meaning and direction, for the faculty and staff who encouraged him and for the habits of discipline and organization that helped him make the most of every opportunity in front of him. As a dual major in management and finance, McBride learned how to balance competing demands, lean on others and stay focused on what mattered most. Now, as UofL’s student speaker for the spring 2026 commencement ceremony and the College of Business’ banner bearer and outstanding graduate, he is looking back with gratitude on the people, values and habits that guided him along the way. 

College of Business: Could you tell us about your background and what life was like for you growing up?

Matthew McBride: I grew up in Crestwood, Kentucky, and have been there pretty much my whole life. I have wonderful parents, and I am a triplet, so I am very close with my siblings. I always tried my best throughout school to make my parents proud and to learn. I enjoyed the schools I was a part of and met many good friends along the way. I have always liked watching UofL sports with my family and friends. I have always enjoyed watching sports, hanging with friends and used to like playing video games. I love my hometown, and I have an amazing family and a great group of friends.

College of Business: What led you to pursue your bachelor’s degrees at UofL, and to choose to pursue dual majors in management and finance?

Matthew McBride: I took a business class for four years in high school. I took this class because it was a field that I wanted to get into. That business class really sparked my interest in finance, as we did a stock market game and learned about investing. Both of my parents went to UofL, and I love the sports teams, so that was a big influence on why I wanted to go there. I started in finance, but I realized I needed a bunch of electives. So, I explored my options for filling it with another major, as I was told that a double major is better than a minor. I decided to go with management because it applies to many careers, especially given my desire to be a leader in the workplace. I love collaborating with other people.

College of Business: How did you manage your time and balance the demands of completing two majors? 

Matthew McBride: Honestly, this was something that was not as challenging as I thought. I spaced my classes well, so it was nice having a balance of finance and management courses each semester. I used the activity feature on Blackboard to see when everything was due and plan my week based on what needed to be prioritized. I also liked keeping a note on my computer of important due dates and assignments for the week, and I would make a tentative schedule for what homework I wanted to get done each day. I made sure to space out my homework and not wait until the last minute. 

College of Business: Have you faced any challenges while studying these fields, and if so, how did you work through them? 

Matthew McBride: I wouldn’t say many challenges, but some classes were fairly difficult. Business Strategy, Financial Derivatives and Intermediate Accounting were some of the classes I struggled with. The main way I got through was working with my classmates and learning from each other. I also found a lot of value in having a good relationship with my professors and asking them for help.

College of Business: Which faculty members had the greatest impact on you during your time at UofL, and why? 

Matthew McBride: I had many wonderful professors and faculty during my time at UofL. 

Raymond Chastain – Just a fantastic professor. I had him for two classes and just had a great relationship with him. He also allowed me to serve as his teaching assistant, which has been a blessing. 

Kathleen Gosser – Also a wonderful professor. She gave me some really good career advice, and her classes were so fun and interesting. She was willing to help me through my career [planning] as well. 

Tammy Green (Provost Office) – She allowed me to work as a student assistant for the provost for two years. [This was a] huge blessing of a job. [She also] gave me great support and advice through my time here at UofL.  

Brandon Hardy – He is an amazing professor who is always there to support and encourage me. 

Greg Priester – He was a huge help for career development events and served as a great mentor.  

College of Business: What are some of the experiences or lessons you’re taking with you from your time in the College of Business and at UofL as a whole? 

Matthew McBride: The biggest lesson I have learned from being in the CoB is the importance of networking and getting yourself out there. Knowing people is so important for landing jobs and opportunities, and the more you make your brand known, the greater your chances of succeeding. Getting an internship is also just such a great experience, and I learned a lot of career development through the CoB. I also learned a lot about discipline with schoolwork and how to collaborate well with others, as I had many group projects. 

College of Business: How did you feel when you learned you had been selected as UofL’s student speaker for the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, in addition to being named the college’s banner bearer, overall outstanding graduate and outstanding graduate in management? 

Matthew McBride: I was honestly in shock. I really had no idea that I was being considered for anything like this until I got an email one morning. I was...also just very thankful and honored to be selected for these opportunities. It definitely put a smile on my face, and I felt gratitude. 

College of Business: What does receiving these recognitions mean to you? 

Matthew McBride: It means a lot. I try to be humble in everything and truly feel honored to be selected for these [recognitions]. It feels good to be shown appreciation and recognized for hard work, but I know there are many students who deserve this opportunity. I am just thankful for the support from my faculty and friends. I am glad that I stewarded my time at UofL well and demonstrated a strong work ethic and good character. 

College of Business: As the university’s student speaker for the spring 2026 commencement ceremony, what do you hope your fellow graduates take away from your speech? 

Matthew McBride: Well, one thing I want to make sure they understand is that I would not be in the position I am in without God. God has been a huge part of my life since coming to college, and he made these the best three years of my life. He has given my life true meaning and purpose and been there for me every step of the way. 

I also want to let the graduates know that they have worked hard for this milestone and should take time to celebrate it. And as hard as it may be to find a job, to never quit on themselves, and to keep being hungry to learn and work hard. I hope they understand that we have a purpose in this world, and it is bigger than just working.  

College of Business: What advice would you give to students who are considering pursuing dual majors? 

Matthew McBride: My biggest advice would be a couple of things. For one, be confident in it. It can feel difficult or scary at first, but it’s so worth it. Another thing I would say is to rely on your peers. College is so much better and easier when you can work together with other students and help each other out. My biggest advice would be to have fun, though. College is not meant to be spent doing homework for 30 hours a week. It is important to enjoy yourself, meet people and try new things. You must have a good school-to-life balance. 

College of Business: What are your plans after graduation? 

Matthew McBride: I have been blessed to get a [position] at Farm Credit Mid-America. I will be a Loan Servicing Specialist working full time. I am excited for this role, and I loved my internship experience here. I plan to stay in Louisville, remain a faithful member of my church at Third Avenue Baptist and be involved with the Kentuckiana Project Management Institute. I will also consider doing my MBA or certifications in the future.  

About the UofL College of Business:  

Founded in 1953, the UofL College of Business fosters intellectual and economic vitality in our city, region and the global business landscape. Our academic programs, research, community outreach initiatives and commitment to student success inspire lives and businesses to flourish through entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, diversity and the power of people.  

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