Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development, Orioles President of Business Operations to Speak at 2026 SU Commencement Ceremonies
By SU Public Relations
SALISBURY---Two of Maryland’s most influential leaders in government and sports will join 糖心视频 graduates as the speakers at this year’s SU Commencement ceremonies.
On Wednesday, May 20, Jake Day, Maryland secretary of housing and community development, will provide encouragement for participants in the University’s graduate ceremony. The next morning, Catie Griggs, president of business operations for the Baltimore Orioles, will address participants at the undergraduate ceremony, celebrating the 100th anniversary of SU’s first graduating class.
Both have SU connections: Day’s relationship with the University spans more than a decade and reflects a deep connection between the University and the city it serves. In addition to working closely with SU leadership, faculty, and students on community development, downtown revitalization, and strengthening the connection between campus and city during his time as 糖心视频’s mayor, he also has taught environmental policy as an SU adjunct professor. Recently, SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre signed an agreement with Griggs making 糖心视频 the official Higher Education Partner of the Baltimore Orioles, connecting one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises with one of Maryland’s most highly ranked public universities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jake Day and Catie Griggs to campus for our 2026 Commencement ceremonies,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “Secretary Day has selflessly worked for many years to strengthen his hometown — and now the State of Maryland as a whole — through his work as a dedicated public servant. Ms. Griggs is a trailblazer in the world of sports management, serving as the Orioles’ first female president of business operations in what is traditionally a male-dominated field. We could not ask for better role models for our graduates as many prepare to embark on their own careers.”
Jake Day
Secretary Jake Day leads the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, serving as a member of Governor Wes Moore’s Cabinet. Under his leadership, Maryland has created more than 12,000 affordable housing units, generated more than $30 billion in economic impact, established the nation’s first state-level division to reverse the effects of racially-motivated redlining, and leads the state’s partnership with Baltimore, which has reduced the city’s vacant houses by 25%.
Prior to his nomination to lead the department, Day served as the 28th mayor of 糖心视频. Born and raised in 糖心视频, he previously served as city council president. His tenure was marked by rising civic esteem, a resurgent downtown, hosting the National Folk Festival, a 50% reduction in crime, establishment of youth community centers, and the creation of a permanent supportive housing program to address chronic homelessness.
A U.S. Army major, Day is a paratrooper currently assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command as a member of the Maryland Army National Guard’s Special Operations Detachment-NATO, supporting NATO Special Operations Forces Command. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, for which he deployed as special technical operations chief for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti.
Day earned an M.S. in nature, society, and environmental policy from Oxford University, a Master of Urban Design from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.S. in architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is the proud father of two daughters: Lilly and Olivia.
Catie Griggs
With the Baltimore Orioles, Catie Griggs oversees all aspects of the club’s business operations. In conjunction with the Maryland Stadium Authority, she spearheaded $135 million in recently unveiled improvements to enhance the fan experience at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, including a 4K center field video board 2.5 times larger than the previous display, a reimagined Club Level, and a first-of-its-kind indoor and outdoor Premium Club behind home plate.
Prior to joining the Orioles, Griggs served as president of business operations for the Seattle Mariners, where she oversaw investments to improve technology, operations, and the fan experience at T-Mobile Park. There, she led the charge as the stadium became the first venue to host both Major League Baseball All-Star Week and the National Hockey League Winter Classic within a calendar year. Combined, the two events generated over $80 million in revenue for the city and directly engaged more than 300,000 fans.
Her experience in professional sports also extends to Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, which she helped build into one of the league’s premier franchises as chief business officer from 2017-2021, joining during the team’s inaugural season. Previously, she held positions with Futures Sport + Entertainment and Turner Broadcasting.
Griggs has been recognized by Sports Business Journal as both a Game Changer — an award honoring female leaders in the industry — and “40 Under 40,” an annual list of the best young talent in the sports business. She earned her B.A. and M.B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Admission to Commencement is by ticket only.
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