Leaders Inspiring our Students
Veritas Collegiate Academy has welcomed very prestigious speakers to our graduation ceremonies. We have been inspired to live a life of service, faith, dedication and excellence.
Secretary Scott Turner - 2025
Secretary Scott Turner, the 19th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since his Senate confirmation in February 2025, brings a dynamic blend of athletic prowess, legislative experience, and dedicated public service to his pivotal role in fostering affordable housing and community revitalization. A former NFL cornerback who played nine seasons with the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos, Turner transitioned seamlessly into business and faith-based leadership as Chief Visionary Officer at JPI—a premier multifamily housing developer—and Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. His political journey included representing Texas's 33rd District in the State House from 2013 to 2017, followed by his appointment as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council under President Trump, where he spearheaded the Opportunity Zones Initiative to drive investments into economically distressed communities, spurring job creation, infrastructure upgrades, and educational access. An expert in housing policy, urban renewal, and public-private partnerships, Turner's visionary approach has empowered underserved populations nationwide, making him a beacon of resilience and opportunity. It was truly an honor to welcome Secretary Turner to Veritas Collegiate Academy, where his inspiring words ignited our students' aspirations and underscored the transformative power of service and innovation.
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Dr Ben Carson - 2024
Dr. Ben Carson, the renowned neurosurgeon, author, and public servant, captivated the Veritas Collegiate Academy community during his keynote address at our recent graduation ceremony, embodying a legacy of groundbreaking achievement and unwavering commitment to excellence. Rising from humble beginnings in inner-city Detroit, where he overcame poverty and personal challenges through faith, education, and determination, Dr. Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, pioneering life-saving techniques such as the first successful separation of craniopagus twins in 1987 and advancing hemispherectomy procedures for epilepsy. His illustrious career extended into public service as the 17th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021, where he championed fair housing, opportunity zones, and urban revitalization to uplift underserved communities, and most recently, as of September 2025, he serves as the National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, advancing America First policies to combat chronic diseases and enhance rural well-being. A New York Times bestselling author of inspirational works like *Gifted Hands* and a 2016 presidential candidate, Dr. Carson's expertise in medicine, policy, and motivational leadership has empowered millions to pursue their dreams against all odds. It was a profound honor to host Dr. Carson at Veritas Collegiate Academy, where his eloquent speech not only celebrated our graduates' accomplishments but also ignited in them a lifelong passion for service, innovation, and transformative impact.
Michael Sarafin - 2023
Michael Sarafin, NASA's esteemed Artemis Mission Manager at Headquarters, exemplified the pinnacle of aerospace innovation and mission excellence during his inspiring visit to Veritas Collegiate Academy, where he shared insights into humanity's bold return to the Moon. Hailing from a modest dairy farm in upstate New York, Sarafin earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from Clarkson University in 1994 before embarking on a nearly 30-year NASA career marked by unwavering dedication to human spaceflight. Beginning as a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) flight controller in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center, he supported 31 Space Shuttle missions across all flight phases; advanced to Flight Director, overseeing the safety and success of Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Orion test flights; and contributed crucially to the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation and return-to-flight efforts in 2003. A rotational program analyst at NASA Headquarters in 2011 honed his strategic acumen, leading to his pivotal role as Artemis Mission Manager since 2022, where he orchestrated the triumphant uncrewed Artemis I launch in 2022—demonstrating the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft's prowess in lunar orbit—and now steers preparations for Artemis II's crewed lunar flyby and Artemis III's historic lunar landing to advance scientific discovery and sustainable exploration. Honored with multiple NASA Exceptional Service and Outstanding Leadership Medals, as well as the Astronaut's Personal Achievement Award, Sarafin's expertise in mission integration, operations planning, and deep-space navigation has propelled over 65 spaceflight missions, inspiring generations to reach for the stars. It was an extraordinary honor to host Mr. Sarafin at Veritas Collegiate Academy, where his riveting presentation not only unveiled the engineering marvels of Artemis but also kindled our students' curiosity, fostering a spirit of ingenuity, resilience, and cosmic ambition for the future.
William Flynn Martin - 2022
William Flynn Martin, the distinguished energy economist, international diplomat, and educator, enriched Veritas Collegiate Academy with his profound insights into global energy security and innovation during his recent visit, drawing from a storied career that bridges high-stakes national security, scientific advancement, and diplomatic excellence. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950 to a lineage of public servants—including a great-grandfather who was the first U.S. Delegate from Oklahoma Territory—Martin honed his expertise with a Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 and a Master of Science from MIT in 1974, where his thesis on societal futures informed influential publications in the Harvard Business Review. His ascent in public service peaked during the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs, Executive Secretary of the National Security Council, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy, where he championed energy independence, fathered the Human Genome Project in 1986, and spearheaded the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) initiative in 1985 to advance fusion energy. Extending his influence across administrations, Martin chaired the Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee for a decade under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, served as Executive Director of the 1992 Republican Platform Committee under George H.W. Bush, and coordinated the IAEA's visionary 20/20 project on nuclear safeguards in 2007; he also presided over the Council of the United Nations University for Peace, appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, fostering global dialogue on sustainable development. Honored with seven commendations from President Reagan, the Order of the Rising Sun from Emperor Akihito, the Czech Republic's Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy Medal in 2023, and the Department of Energy's highest accolade for his 35 years of service in energy security and science, Martin's unparalleled expertise in nuclear policy, international relations, and technological foresight has shaped a more secure and prosperous world. It was a singular honor to host Mr. Martin at Veritas Collegiate Academy, where his eloquent discourse not only illuminated the intersections of energy, diplomacy, and human progress but also inspired our students to embrace visionary leadership, ethical innovation, and a commitment to global stewardship.