Actor Robert De Niro addressed the class of 2015 during New York University's Tisch School of the Arts commencement ceremony on May 22, 2015. De Niro, who quit high school to pursue an acting career, told grads: "You made it — and, you're f—ed." Click through to see more big-name speakers at universities across the country.
Actor Robert De Niro addressed the class of 2015 during New York University's Tisch School of the Arts commencement ceremony on May 22, 2015. De Niro, who quit high school to pursue an acting career, told grads: "You made it — and, you're f—ed." Click through to see more big-name speakers at universities across the country.
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Rock star and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi performs a new song during graduation ceremonies at Rutgers University on May 21.
Rock star and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi performs a new song during graduation ceremonies at Rutgers University on May 21.
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Comedian Maya Rudolph addressed graduates of Tulane University in New Orleans on May 16.
Comedian Maya Rudolph addressed graduates of Tulane University in New Orleans on May 16.
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First lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address at Tuskegee University on May 9. She'll also speak at Oberlin College in Ohio on May 25.
First lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address at Tuskegee University on May 9. She'll also speak at Oberlin College in Ohio on May 25.
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President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota, on May 8. South Dakota was the last of the 50 states Obama had not visited as president. He also spoke at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, on May 20.
President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota, on May 8. South Dakota was the last of the 50 states Obama had not visited as president. He also spoke at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, on May 20.
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South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivered a commencement address at the University of South Carolina in Columbia on May 8.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivered a commencement address at the University of South Carolina in Columbia on May 8.
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Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott also delivered a commencement address at the University of South Carolina on May 9.
Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott also delivered a commencement address at the University of South Carolina on May 9.
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Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins was the graduation speaker for Pepperdine University's undergraduate Seaver College on May 2.
Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins was the graduation speaker for Pepperdine University's undergraduate Seaver College on May 2.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on May 2.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on May 2.
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NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove also spoke at Georgia Tech on May 2.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove also spoke at Georgia Tech on May 2.
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Walter Isaacson, author and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, was the Senior Day speaker at Vanderbilt University in Nashville on May 7.
Walter Isaacson, author and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, was the Senior Day speaker at Vanderbilt University in Nashville on May 7.
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"Good Morning America" anchor Amy Robach addressed graduates from University of Georgia on May 8. Robach is a graduate of the Athens, Georgia, university.
"Good Morning America" anchor Amy Robach addressed graduates from University of Georgia on May 8. Robach is a graduate of the Athens, Georgia, university.
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Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington delivered the commencement speech at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 9.
Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington delivered the commencement speech at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 9.
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Jason Kilar, the co-founder and CEO of Vessel and founding CEO of Hulu, delivered the commencement address at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on May 10. Kilar graduated from Carolina in 1993.
Jason Kilar, the co-founder and CEO of Vessel and founding CEO of Hulu, delivered the commencement address at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on May 10. Kilar graduated from Carolina in 1993.
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Paul Farmer, right, co-founder of Partners in Health, was the commencement speaker at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, on May 10.
Paul Farmer, right, co-founder of Partners in Health, was the commencement speaker at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, on May 10.
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Author and human rights advocate Salman Rushdie spoke at Emory University's commencement in Atlanta on May 11.
Author and human rights advocate Salman Rushdie spoke at Emory University's commencement in Atlanta on May 11.
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Filmmaker Ken Burns spoke at the commencement of Washington University in St. Louis on May 15.
Filmmaker Ken Burns spoke at the commencement of Washington University in St. Louis on May 15.
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Actor Matthew McConaughey was the speaker at the University of Houston's commencement ceremony on May 15. The university was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Flocal%2Feducation%2Fcampus-chronicles%2Farticle%2FUH-to-pay-McConaughey-135-000-actor-will-donate-6171143.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">initially reluctant to release what McConaughey would be paid</a> for the appearance, The Houston Chronicle reported, but eventually shared the details: $135,000, plus travel fees and commission for his agency. McConaughey is expected to give the money to his jk livin Foundation.
Actor Matthew McConaughey was the speaker at the University of Houston's commencement ceremony on May 15. The university was initially reluctant to release what McConaughey would be paid for the appearance, The Houston Chronicle reported, but eventually shared the details: $135,000, plus travel fees and commission for his agency. McConaughey is expected to give the money to his jk livin Foundation.
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Comedian Ed Helms, shown earlier, addressed graduates at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on May 15.
Comedian Ed Helms, shown earlier, addressed graduates at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on May 15.
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Former U.S. President George W. Bush spoke at commencement at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on May 16.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush spoke at commencement at Southern Methodist University in Dallas on May 16.
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Paralympic skiing medalist, former White House official and author Bonnie St. John addressed graduates at Miami University in Ohio on May 16.
Paralympic skiing medalist, former White House official and author Bonnie St. John addressed graduates at Miami University in Ohio on May 16.
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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, shown earlier, addressed students at Tufts University on May 16.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, shown earlier, addressed students at Tufts University on May 16.
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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke at the commencement at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, on May 16.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke at the commencement at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, on May 16.
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Journalist Katie Couric, shown at an earlier event, spoke to graduates of the University of Wisconsin in Madison on May 16.
Journalist Katie Couric, shown at an earlier event, spoke to graduates of the University of Wisconsin in Madison on May 16.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2015%2F05%2F17%2Ftechnology%2Ftim-cook-gwu-graduation%2F">delivered the commencement address at George Washington University</a> in Washington on May 17.
Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered the commencement address at George Washington University in Washington on May 17.
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Craig Melvin, a national correspondent for NBC's "Today," spoke at Wofford University in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on May 17. Melvin is a 2001 Wofford graduate.
Craig Melvin, a national correspondent for NBC's "Today," spoke at Wofford University in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on May 17. Melvin is a 2001 Wofford graduate.
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Actress Stephanie Courtney, known as Flo in commercials for Progressive Insurance, spoke at Binghamton University's commencement on May 17. Courtney graduated from the Binghamton, New York, university in 1992.
Actress Stephanie Courtney, known as Flo in commercials for Progressive Insurance, spoke at Binghamton University's commencement on May 17. Courtney graduated from the Binghamton, New York, university in 1992.
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Lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who guided the One Fund after the Boston Marathon bombing and the compensation fund for the families of those killed on September 11th, 2001, was the commencement speaker at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, on May 17.
Lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who guided the One Fund after the Boston Marathon bombing and the compensation fund for the families of those killed on September 11th, 2001, was the commencement speaker at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, on May 17.
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"Science Guy" Bill Nye accepted an honorary doctorate degree and spoke to graduates of Rutgers University on May 17.
"Science Guy" Bill Nye accepted an honorary doctorate degree and spoke to graduates of Rutgers University on May 17.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power spoke at the University of Pennsylvania on May 18.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power spoke at the University of Pennsylvania on May 18.
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Comedian Stephen Colbert addressed graduates at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 18.
Comedian Stephen Colbert addressed graduates at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 18.
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Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will address graduates at Harvard University on May 28.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will address graduates at Harvard University on May 28.
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Film director, screenwriter and producer Christopher Nolan will address graduates of Princeton University in New Jersey during Class Day on June 1.
Film director, screenwriter and producer Christopher Nolan will address graduates of Princeton University in New Jersey during Class Day on June 1.
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Fareed Zakaria, host of "GPS" on CNN, will address graduates of Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York on June 2.
Fareed Zakaria, host of "GPS" on CNN, will address graduates of Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York on June 2.
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Megan Smith, the chief technology officer of the United States, will give the commencement address at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on June 5.
Megan Smith, the chief technology officer of the United States, will give the commencement address at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on June 5.
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NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel will speak at Stanford University's commencement on June 14.
NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel will speak at Stanford University's commencement on June 14.
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Virginia Rometty, chairwoman, president and chief executive officer of IBM, will give the commencement address at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, on June 19.
Virginia Rometty, chairwoman, president and chief executive officer of IBM, will give the commencement address at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, on June 19.
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