Commencement Speakers

Inspiring Graduating Classes with Commencement Wisdom: Messages from Distinguished Speakers

List of Commencement Speakers

Commencement is an often anticipated ceremony where college graduates are awarded with their degree or diploma. For many students, commencement is a huge milestone in their academic or professional careers, and a time where they can celebrate all of their achievements at their institution. As graduates are ushered into the next chapter of their lives, an inspiring commencement speaker's message can stay with them for years after they hang up their cap and gown. These celebrities, business speakers, industry leaders, and successful alumni are accomplished keynote speakers who are a perfect addition to college graduation day.

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Erin Brockovich
(12 ratings)

Famous Environmental Activist, TV Host, Consumer Advocate & Bestselling Author; Inspirational Empowerment Speaker on Triumph in the Face of Adversity

Trevor Noah

Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Podcast Host & Bestselling Author; Former Host of "The Daily Show"; Grammy Award Show Host

John Green

Award-Winning Author, YouTube Educator, Influential Vlogger

Al Duncan
(24 ratings)

Motivational Speaker for At-Risk Youth; Authority on Development Soft Skills & Empowerment; Managing Partner of Soft Skills for STEM (S3TEM)

Andy Cohen
(5 ratings)

Emmy Award-Winning Host & Producer of Bravo’s "Watch What Happens: Live"

James Patterson

NY Times Best-Selling Author & Reading Champion

Dr. Sylvia Hood Washington
(1 rating)

Founder & Chief Environmental Research Scientist for Environmental Health Research Associates, LLC; Founder & Director, One Drop Rule Rare Disease Foundation

Adrian Grenier
(2 ratings)

Actor Known for HBO's "Entourage"; Environmental Activist, UN Ambassador & Social Impact Entrepreneur; Founder of Lonely Whale Foundation; Co-Founder of DuContra Ventures

Reverend Al Sharpton

Baptist Minister, Political, Civil Rights & Social Justice Activist

Van Jones
(6 ratings)

Emmy Award-Winning TV Host, Political Strategist & Producer; Civil Rights & Environmental Advocate; NYT Bestselling Author; CEO of REFORM Alliance

Alexandra Cousteau

Environmental Activist, Ocean Advocate & Storyteller; Co-Founder, Oceans2050 & Senior Advisor, OCEANA

Greg Gumbel
(1 rating)

Emmy Award-Winning Sportscaster, College Basketball Host for CBS Sports, Announcer & Philanthropist

Shawn Achor
(7 ratings)

Harvard Professor, Happiness Researcher, Positive Psychology Expert, Author of "The Happiness Advantage" & "Big Potential"

Joe Torre

Legendary Baseball Player, Special Advisor to Major League Baseball, Chairman of the Safe at Home Foundation & Domestic Violence Awareness Advocate

Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress, Producer; Chief Executive Officer at PATTERN

James Clear
(3 ratings)

#1 New York Times Bestseller Atomic Habits & Personal Development Expert

Lizzie Velasquez
(22 ratings)

Motivational Speaker; Author of "Lizzie Beautiful" & "Be Beautiful, Be You;" Once Labeled "The World's Ugliest Woman"

Brandi Chastain
(5 ratings)

Retired Professional Soccer Player, Two-Time FIFA Women's World Cup Champion & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist; Co-Founder of BAWSI

Tim Tebow
(9 ratings)

ESPN College Football Analyst; Heisman Trophy Winner; Former Quarterback for NFL's Denver Broncos & Baseball Outfielder for the New York Mets

Nikki Giovanni
(25 ratings)

Award-Winning Poet, Educator & Best-Selling Author; Civil Rights Activist; Cancer Survivor; Subject of the Emmy Award-Winning Documentary "Going to Mars"