Jamal Woodson, an entrepreneur and community developer, will serve as the commencement speaker for the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s 2026 graduation ceremonies on May 2 in the Chambers Hall Gymnasium, according to an April 14 announcement.
Woodson was recently recognized as the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association Alumnus of Distinction. This award is given for outstanding professional achievement and service to both the community and university.
Pitt-Greensburg President Robert Gregerson said, “Jamal Woodson has had a distinguished and diverse career following his graduation from Pitt-Greensburg. He is an entrepreneur, a high school and AAU basketball coach, among other things, and is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community. His message of planning, perseverance and reacting to community needs is inspirational.”
After graduating from Pitt-Greensburg in 2002, Woodson began his career at WAMO radio station in Pittsburgh. He rose from sales executive to general manager by 2013 and doubled the station’s revenue within two years. As co-owner of Exclusive Entertainment between 2003 and 2013, he helped bring major concerts featuring artists such as Eminem, Nas, Lil Wayne, and Lil Jon to Pittsburgh.
In addition to his business ventures, Woodson founded Students Learning Athletics and Academics through Mentoring (SLAMM) Basketball in 2012. The program has grown from five teams to more than twenty teams since its inception. He also launched “The Giveback King” initiative in 2017 focused on acts of kindness locally and internationally; started real estate projects on Pittsburgh’s east side; introduced the Athletic Trauma Unit food truck in 2018; co-led The CNX Mentorship Academy for four years; and opened LFG Workout gym in 2023.
“My time at Pitt-Greensburg played a huge role in shaping who I am today,” said Woodson. “It wasn’t just about the classes, it was about the people, the experiences, and the lessons that pushed me to think bigger and chase opportunities beyond the classroom. Pitt-Greensburg gave me a foundation of resilience and creativity that I still carry with me in every business I’ve built and every team I’ve led.”
Woodson’s selection as commencement speaker highlights ongoing connections between alumni achievement and university engagement.
