The federal government has investigated prominent universities, paused grant funding and revoked student visas. And still, it is graduation season on American campuses, where thousands of young adults will soon don four-sided caps and celebrate years of hard work while “Pomp and Circumstance” plays on repeat.
Like always, college administrators have selected a range of keynote speakers to impart wisdom (and, they hope, avoid controversy) at commencement ceremonies.
A year after pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated at many graduations, and amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on higher education, colleges are walking a tightrope in picking speakers. Administrators want to find someone who is interesting and accomplished and perhaps has ties to their school, but also who is unlikely to set off protests or say something that would bring unwelcome attention.
This year’s list includes many of the usual suspects: governors, cabinet secretaries and political commentators with well-known views on the most divisive issues of the day. It also includes scores of athletes and celebrities from outside the partisan fray.
Here is a look at some of the others, including a Muppet, who are scheduled to address graduates in the days and weeks ahead:
The Entertainers
Nothing seems likelier to boost graduation attendance than having a celebrity onstage to shake hands with graduates. This year, plenty have signed up.
The rapper Snoop Dogg will speak to graduates of the University of Southern California’s business school, and Jon M. Chu, a film director, will speak at that institution’s universitywide commencement. Steve Carell of “The Office” will be at Northwestern University, and Sandra Oh of “Grey’s Anatomy” will headline Dartmouth College’s ceremony. Elizabeth Banks of “The Hunger Games” will speak at the University of Pennsylvania. The singer Usher will be honored at Emory University’s graduation.
