Richard McCormick

Some students at Atlanta HBCU had protested the selection of the physician, who graduated from the school in 2010, as its commencement speaker.

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Morehouse School of Medicine President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice directs students to line up for a photo before the school’s graduation ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

By Cassidy Alexander

May 16, 2026

In his Saturday address to Morehouse School of Medicine graduates, U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick told them the most important lesson he learned as a student there.

“If you want true influence, instead of trying to win an argument, win a friend,” he said.

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Morehouse School of Medicine student Sadelle Smith poses for a photo before walking to her graduation ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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Morehouse School of Medicine students protest their commencement speaker, U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. During Saturday’s ceremony, the backlash was largely limited to some booing. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Jeromey Beaman, Morehouse School of Medicine student body president, pauses during his class remarks after acknowledging the controversy surrounding the selection of U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick to deliver the commencement address on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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New medical doctors celebrate after receiving their degrees during the graduation ceremony for Morehouse School of Medicine on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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Family members cheer and try to draw the attention of their students at the beginning of the graduation ceremony for Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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