As graduation season arrives in May, North American universities are putting on 'all-star guest speech shows,' lighting up the spotlight for the Class of 2025.
On May 1, U.S. President Trump appeared at the University of Alabama to deliver a special address to the Class of 2025. With his signature passionate style, he encouraged young people to 'become the greatest generation' and urged business students to 'get into the factory and workshop, don't just think about financial speculation every day.'
And this is just the start of the fierce competition among this year's star-studded lineup.
From medical writers to Olympic champions, from political heavyweights to STEM pioneers, from blockbuster directors to renowned vloggers—every North American university ceremony is star-studded and buzzworthy.
See who your alma mater is inviting this year?
2025 North American University Commencement Invited Guests
Harvard University
Commencement Date: May 29
Location: Tercentenary Theatre
Invited Guest: Abraham Verghese
This year, Harvard's 374th Commencement will feature Stanford Medical School professor, physician, and author Abraham Verghese as the keynote speaker, who will also receive an honorary degree.
Verghese is dedicated to advancing doctor-patient communication and empathy. He is the author of 'Cutting for Stone,' 'The Covenant of Water,' 'The Tennis Partner,' and other works, blending academic and literary influence. He has taught at multiple universities and is currently a chaired professor at Stanford School of Medicine, as well as a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2016, Verghese received the National Humanities Medal from President Obama.
Stanford University
Commencement Date: June 15
Location: Stanford Stadium
Invited Guest: Katie Ledecky
Stanford's 134th Commencement will take place in June, with alumna and legendary swimmer Katie Ledecky as the speaker. Ledecky is the most decorated female Olympian in U.S. history; she burst onto the scene at age 15 at the London Olympics, and has since won 14 Olympic medals (9 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) and holds multiple world and American records.
During her studies at Stanford, she majored in psychology with a minor in political science, participating in the Mind & Body Lab; meanwhile, she broke 11 American records, won 8 NCAA championships, and helped Stanford excel in college sports. In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Commencement Date: May 29
Location: Killian Court
Invited Guest: Hank Green
MIT will hold its OneMIT Commencement on May 29, with author, entrepreneur, and popular YouTuber Hank Green as the speaker.
A major figure in digital content creation, Green is active across video, podcasting, and fiction platforms, known for blending knowledge and entertainment in his coverage of STEM topics like climate, medicine, and technology. He is also involved in music and stand-up comedy; last summer, through a special comedy show, he shared his journey of battling and recovering from Hodgkin lymphoma, deeply moving countless viewers.
Yale University
Commencement Date: May 19
Location: Old Campus
Invited Guest: Jacinda Ardern
Former New Zealand Prime Minister and current Harvard visiting scholar Jacinda Ardern will be the keynote speaker for Yale's 2025 Commencement. As one of the youngest female leaders globally, Ardern became New Zealand's youngest ever prime minister at age 37, earning widespread international acclaim for her empathetic and strong leadership style.
She championed women's empowerment and diversity, achieving 50% female representation in government-appointed bodies and signing several historic international trade agreements. Now, she focuses on international climate and public policy, holding multiple research roles at Harvard Kennedy School and founding the 'Empathy Leadership Field Fellowship.'
Duke University
Commencement Date: May 11
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium
Invited Guest: Grant Hill
On the occasion of its centennial, Duke University will welcome a particularly meaningful commencement speaker—1994 alumnus and NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill.
Thirty-three years ago, his legendary full-court pass became one of the Blue Devils' most iconic moments. Now, the No. 33 legend returns to his alma mater to deliver an inspiring speech to the new graduates. During his time at Duke, Hill led the team to two NCAA championships, then played 19 years in the NBA, and has been involved in business, broadcasting, and philanthropy, consistently supporting his alma mater.
University of Chicago
Commencement Date: June 7
Location: Main Quadrangle
Invited Guest: David Axelrod
Renowned political analyst and former senior advisor to President Obama, David Axelrod, will deliver the speech at the University of Chicago's 2025 Commencement on June 6. He founded Axelrod & Associates, providing strategic consulting for over 150 elections, and became one of the most influential political consultants in the U.S. He served as chief strategist for Obama's first presidential campaign in 2008.
In 2013, he returned to the University of Chicago to found the Institute of Politics, dedicated to inspiring young people's interest in public affairs and promoting bipartisan dialogue. Today, he is a senior political commentator at CNN, a bestselling author, and host of the popular podcast The Axe Files.
Johns Hopkins University
Commencement Date: May 22
Location: Homewood Field
Invited Guest: Sal Khan
Johns Hopkins University's 2025 Commencement speaker will be Sal Khan, founder of the nonprofit education platform Khan Academy and an educational innovator. Khan holds degrees from Harvard and MIT and was once a hedge fund analyst. By chance, he uploaded tutoring videos for relatives to YouTube, which quickly gained widespread attention. In 2009, he quit his job to focus full-time on online education.
Today, Khan Academy reaches 190 countries with over 180 million registered users, providing convenient, high-quality educational resources to countless students, parents, and teachers—many soon-to-be graduates used the platform in high school.
University of Pennsylvania
Commencement Date: May 19
Location: Franklin Field
Invited Guest: Elizabeth Banks
The University of Pennsylvania has invited 1996 alumna, acclaimed actress and director Elizabeth Banks as this year's commencement speaker. Banks is an actress, director, writer, and producer, and a three-time Emmy nominee. In 2002, she co-founded Brownstone Productions with her husband, which produced hits like 'Pitch Perfect,' and has deep collaborations with Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and multiple platforms.
She is also committed to social equality, long supporting women's rights, reproductive freedom, and gender equality. She co-founded the canned wine brand Archer Roose, showcasing multifaceted influence across creative, business, and philanthropic fields.
Northeastern University
Commencement Date: May 11
Location: Fenway Park
Invited Guest: Elliot Grainge
Northeastern University will invite current Atlantic Music Group CEO and alumnus Elliot Grainge as this year's speaker. After graduation, Grainge moved to Los Angeles to found 10K Projects, and with his keen sense of music trends and deep understanding of digital platforms, quickly developed hit artists like Ice Spice, Trippie Redd, XXXTentacion, and more.
In 2019, he established the '10K Together' charitable initiative to support the global anti-racism movement. In 2023, after Warner Music Group acquired a majority stake in 10K Projects, Grainge joined Atlantic Music Group and was promoted to CEO a year later, continuing to discover cross-cultural, cross-generational musical talent.
University of Southern California
Commencement Date: May 15
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Invited Guest: Jon M. Chu
USC has invited renowned director Jon M. Chu as the keynote speaker for this year's commencement. Chu graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2003 and has since become one of the most influential Asian directors in Hollywood, known for films like 'Crazy Rich Asians,' 'Wicked,' and more.
He excels at telling moving multicultural stories through music, dance, and visual language, earning widespread industry acclaim. He also directed the documentary 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' and Virgin Atlantic's viral safety video, showcasing his unique touch and creative expression in pop culture.
2025 North American University Commencement Schedule
As summer approaches, the bells of graduation season are ringing louder.
Universities are gradually releasing their ceremony schedules. CheersYou（清柚教育） has compiled dates and locations for some schools to help students planning to attend prepare in advance.
For reference only; please check the official school website for final information.
At this moment of leaving campus and starting a new chapter, congratulations to the Class of 2025—happy graduation! 🎓
