Former President Bill Clinton is returning to Rochester on Friday, Aug. 14, to deliver the commencement address for the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship’s second graduating class.
The appearance will bring a former U.S. president to one of the Rochester area’s newest colleges and marks Clinton’s first publicly reported Rochester visit since 2016
When is Bill Clinton speaking in Rochester?
The Golisano Institute’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Clinton will deliver the commencement address during the ceremony.
The institute confirmed Clinton’s appearance after notifying students earlier this week.
Students were invited to request spots on the guest list. The event will be open to the news media.
Why is Clinton coming to Rochester?
The institute has not publicly explained how Clinton was selected as its commencement speaker.
School representatives declined to provide additional details about how the appearance came together, whether institute founder Tom Golisano has a relationship with Clinton or whether Clinton is receiving a speaking fee.
Clinton will address graduates at a school founded by Golisano, the billionaire philanthropist and Paychex founder who established the institute as an alternative to a traditional four-year college education.
What is the Golisano Institute?
Golisano founded the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in 2022, and the school welcomed its inaugural class in fall 2023.
The institute offers a two-year program focused on preparing students for careers in business and entrepreneurship. The school was created as a lower-cost, workforce-focused alternative to a traditional four-year degree.
The institute held its first commencement ceremony in August 2025. About 250 graduates, family members, faculty, staff and business partners attended the inaugural event.
Who has spoken at the institute before?
Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International, delivered the commencement address to the institute’s first graduating class in 2025.
The school also has hosted business, sports and public figures, including former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, former Paychex CEO Martin Mucci and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
When was Bill Clinton last in Rochester?
Clinton has visited Rochester several times over the years, including multiple campaign stops during the 2016 presidential election.
His last publicly documented Rochester visit was in April 2016, the day before New York’s Democratic presidential primary, when he campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton.
During that visit, Clinton stopped at the Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters on University Avenue, Cafe Sasso on Park Avenue and a barbershop on Jefferson Avenue.
Earlier that month, he held a campaign rally at Laborers’ Union Local 435.
Who is Bill Clinton?
Clinton, 79, served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001.
He previously served as governor of Arkansas.
On Friday, Clinton will address the Golisano Institute’s second graduating class, giving the young Rochester-area school one of the highest-profile commencement speakers in its brief history.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bill Clinton is coming to Rochester today. What to know about his visit
Reporting by Ryan Miller, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Miller, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
