NYU recently announced it will award famed American singer Taylor Swift an honorary doctorate and invite Taylor to speak at New York University's 2022 commencement ceremony!
The news sent not only NYU students into a frenzy but the entire North American study-abroad community into ecstasy. Everyone is now searching for this year's NYU graduates, since each graduate can bring two guests for free to the ceremony...
In fact, as early as the beginning of this year, when NYU's Tisch School launched a course studying Taylor Swift, many students wondered if Taylor might make an appearance at NYU. It's surprising that the casual discussions back then have now turned into reality in such a way!
Of course, this isn't the first time an American university has invited a heavyweight guest to deliver a commencement speech. From figures in politics and business to stars of the entertainment world, top US universities spare no effort each year in inviting commencement speakers.
After two years of silence, with the full return of in-person commencement ceremonies in 2022, universities across the United States are going all out to secure the most influential and representative speakers.
So, which big names have already been invited to this year's graduation ceremonies? Let's take a look!
2022 US University Commencement Guest Speakers
University of Michigan
Invited Speaker: Maria Shriver
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: April 30
Shriver is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning journalist. As a special anchor for NBC News, she founded the media venture Shriver Media to promote media for good, and is also co-founder of the brain health and wellness brand MOSH.
She is perhaps even better known as a member of the Kennedy family — the niece of President John F. Kennedy — and the former "First Lady of California," ex-wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Shriver has been recommended to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Michigan.
Washington University in St. Louis
Invited Speaker: Mae Jemison
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 20
Jemison is a physicist, engineer, and former NASA astronaut, and the first woman of color to travel into space.
After retiring from NASA, Jemison founded her own technology research company and established a nonprofit educational foundation. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from WUSTL at the commencement ceremony.
Auburn University
Invited Speaker: Dave Clark
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 6
Clark is not only an Auburn alumnus but also the current CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer and head of Amazon's supply chain. He has worked at Amazon for over two decades in various roles, including Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.
Auburn University President Jay Gogue said: "I believe Clark is a wonderful testament to the Auburn Creed and demonstrates the importance of hard work and education in achieving personal and professional goals. I look forward to his address and the practical advice he will offer our graduates."
Tulane University
Invited Speaker: Ken Jeong
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 21
Ken Jeong is a Korean-American comedian, physician, and actor best known for his role as Leslie Chow in the hit movie "The Hangover."
Jeong also has deep ties to Tulane. In 1995, while completing his internal medicine residency at Tulane's Ochsner Medical Center, he entered a stand-up comedy competition, won first place, and launched his career as a comedian.
Roger Williams University
Invited Speaker: Dr. Anthony Fauci
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 20
Dr. Anthony Fauci has served as the chief medical advisor to every US president since Ronald Reagan and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2008.
He is also a leading representative in the federal response to COVID-19 and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. With major contributions to the research on HIV/AIDS, H1N1, and COVID-19, Dr. Fauci is regarded as one of the world's foremost infectious disease experts.
Carnegie Mellon University
Invited Speaker: Billy Porter
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 15
Porter earned his BFA from the CMU School of Drama in 1991. He has won Emmy, Tony, and Grammy awards.
Porter is famous for his role as Pray Tell in the FX series "Pose," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. His portrayal of Lola in the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" also made him one of the hottest actors on Broadway.
William & Mary
Invited Speaker: Viet Thanh Nguyen
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: April 20
Viet Thanh Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American writer. His debut novel, "The Sympathizer," published in 2015, won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and was shortlisted for the 2017 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
Nguyen will deliver a speech titled "Refugees, Language, and the Meaning of 'American'" at William & Mary's commencement on April 20.
Emory University
Invited Speaker: Tyler Perry
Class of 2022 Commencement Date: May 9
Perry is a renowned actor, director, producer, and writer. In 2011, Forbes named him the highest-paid person in the entertainment industry.
Emory's selection of Perry is partly due to his philanthropy and personal story. Perry grew up in an abusive household in New Orleans and moved to Atlanta in the 1990s to begin his entertainment career. The Emory president noted: "What is impressive is the work he has done as a philanthropist, humanitarian, and social justice advocate."
2022 North American University Commencement Schedule
Many more universities are gradually announcing their commencement information, and everyone is eagerly awaiting more guest speaker lineups.
We have also compiled the current schedule and locations for some North American university commencement ceremonies, to help students interested in attending prepare in advance.
Once again, congratulations to all graduates! 🎓
