Every year, celebrities, businesspeople, politicians, artists, and more get asked to address a graduating class in a commencement speech. The moment, which is usually equally exciting to the honoree as it is to the university, can shape how the graduates feel about their future after their cap and gown days. Will they leave her inspired? Will they go for their dreams?

To Usher, who was asked to deliver the commencement speech for Emory University to the 2025 graduating class this year, the honor was quite a milestone. So much so that he proudly wrote every word in his speech, and even shared the process with theNew York Times.

“There’s a beginning, there’s a middle and there’s an end, and within that process, what you choose to make people feel,” he told the outlet. “Do they smile? Do they think? Do they laugh? Do they cry? Are they angry? Are they motivated?”

“In the same way I’ve figured out how tone and algorithm and cadence work in music, it does the same in speech,” he said.

Together with Usher, find out what other stars added “Commencement Speaker” to their resume this year below!

Jennifer Coolidge at Emerson College

The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge left Emerson College graduates giggling in their seats during their commencement ceremony on May 11.

In her speech, Coolidge remembered some of her biggest dreams, including her dream of becoming the queen of Monaco after seeing a picture of Grace Kelly in a magazine.

“In retrospect, it was the one and only thing I really had going for me,” the Emmy winner said. “I had this thing inside of me telling me that I could achieve anything, anything, in this world, and there was just nothing to back it up.”

“When you find the thing that you want to do, I really want to highly recommend, just friggin’ go for it,” she told the graduates. “You really have to psych yourself up into believing absurd possibilities, and you have to believe that they are not absurd.”

Emily Deschanel at Boston University

Bones star Emily Deschanel delivered an inspiring speech for her Alma Mater, Boston University.

In it, she talked about the importance of empathy in all circumstances, no matter where their journeys lead them.

“Empathy isn’t weakness,” she said. “It’s not about letting people off the hook for their behavior and choices. It’s about understanding what led to those choices so you can decide how to respond from a place of authenticity.”

Usher at Emory University

Usher proudly delivered Emory University’s commencement speech this year after receiving an honorary doctorate from the institution.

In his speech, the “Yeah!” singer talked about one of the biggest challenges he faced when he first moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

“I was academically so far behind that I was unable to keep up and the staff at the school that I attended didn’t have the resources to help me, so I was assigned to remedial classes, which at the time felt like a judgment on my ability,” he remembered. “As a young Black man, or a kid at the time, I was discouraged.”

“The system doesn’t always understand, and it doesn’t always celebrate passion; however, before I could sing, before I could dance, or before I was a doctor, I had passion,” he said. “Sometimes, you may be passed on; someone, for some reason, may not understand or feel the same as you do, but if you change your mindset, you can blaze a new trail in the system.”

Molly Shannon at New York University

Saturday Night Live legend Molly Shannon took her Alma Mater by storm in her hilarious commencement speech at NYU.

“Whatever road you choose to follow, you will hit bumps,” Shannon told students, per Washington Square News. “These bumps will make you feel stuffed or like a failure, or make you regret choosing to go down that road in the first place — the key is how you react.” 

Henry Winkler at Georgetown University

Henry Winkler surely gave graduates chills when he delivered his speech to Georgetown University’s College of Arts & Sciences.

“You can be the voice of the children before they ever take their first step, before they ever speak their first word,” Hinkler said in his speech. “I want to tell you — I don’t know you, I met some of you, I took some selfies, I met a future reporter, but for the most part, I don’t know you — but I’m telling you from my gedeyrem, from my center, I am so proud of you.”

“I am proud of how you got yourself into these chairs. And I cannot wait to see who you become,” he continued. “This world is yours now. And this world needs fixing. And I pray to the heavens that you are the fixers. I say to you now, go!”

Elizabeth Banks at the University of Pennsylvania

Elizabeth Banks was thrilled to return to her Alma Mater this year and deliver her commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania.

In her speech, she looked back at some moments in her college days, and how some of those lessons shaped her attitude moving forward.

In one moment, she talked about how one class had mandatory attendance, and that any absence would deduct a half grade. After getting an A in most of the semester, there was one class she couldn’t make because of a family wedding she needed to attend.

“In the end, I went to my cousin’s wedding and I took the hit,” she told the crowd. “I drove to Tennessee with my family, including my grandmother, who sat in the middle seat for seven hours. I had a wonderful time. My Grammy passed away soon after and my cousin, just a few years older than me, she’s gone now too. I have never regretted that choice. I didn’t graduate summa cum laude and that’s never come up, not once.”

“The profound lesson I learned through all this was that our values conflict sometimes and it’s making choices in those moments that help you clarify who you are and what you value in this world,” she reflected. “And that’s adulting.”

“It’s not just cleaning your hair out of the drain of a shared shower or sink, which you should absolutely do. It’s the series of decisions you make when your values conflict, GPA or family, creativity or security, loyalty or personal growth, love or money,” she said. “Your path is guaranteed to be paved with these decisions.”

Regina Hall at Fordham University

While Regina Hall’s full speech isn’t available online, it’s clear that delivering her commencement speech at Fordham University meant a lot to her.

“What I don’t remember is my GPA, I don’t remember many of my tests or exams, what I do remember are the people who helped me type papers late at night, my professors, who took extra time with instructions and support, because college is not merely an academic institution,” she said. “It’s a stepping stone to building independence and testing the limits of your moral compass.”

“So we look to you to hold humanity to the highest standard, to remind us of our divine nature,” she continued. “You will exemplify the excellence that resides in us all.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph at Tulane University

We all know Sheryl Lee Ralph absolutely commands the screen as Barbara in Abbott Elementary, so it’s no surprise that she was an incredible speaker at Tulane University’s commencement ceremony this year.

“When I told my cast members at Abbott Elementary, Quinta [Brunson] said, ‘Oh my God, Tulane! It’s not just a university. It’s a special place,'” Ralph said in her speech.

“That’s when I realized Tulane isn’t just a school,” she reflected. “It’s a living, breathing testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of community. And today, I have the immense joy of speaking to the unstoppable, unshakable, undeniable Class of 2025.”

LeVar Burton at Howard University

LeVar Burton called Howard University “the Mecca” in his commencement speech a Howard University.

In it, he looked back at his first job as an actor on Roots in 1977. “My very first day as a professional actor, Cicely Tyson played my mother and Maya Angelou played my grandmother,” he said. “I was plucked from the college ranks and found myself in the deep end of the pool filled with heroes and legends. Thank God I didn’t drown.”

“It has been an honor of my lifetime to have represented the Black experience in America, from our enslavement to boldly going to the stars,” he said, also referencing his role in Star Trek.

“Remember that you are the descended from some of the most resilient souls in the history of humanity,” he said at the end. “And whatever you do, do not allow fear to paralyze you into non-action.”

Al Roker at Siena College

Today Show co-host Al Roker inspired a whole graduating class with his speech at Siena College.

“Truth matters, and that’s never been more relevant than right now,” he said in his speech. “We are in a moment when truth is under attack, when the loudest voice, too often, drowns out the most honest one, where misinformation spreads faster than facts, and that’s why your voices matter.”

“Whether you’re going into journalism, business, science, art, education, public service, your responsibility is the same: To lead with integrity,” he said. “To ground yourself and those around you in truth. To resist the temptation to chase viral over vital. And when you run into somebody — like I did early in my career in Cleveland — who tries to reduce you to a stereotype or just a number or throws ignorance in your face, you don’t let that define you. You define the moment.”

Meagan Good at Old Dominion University

Meagan Good also delivered a commencement speech this year, this time to the graduates at Old Dominion University.

“Walk in purpose,” she said. “Each and every one of you has a distinct path, a purpose that is uniquely yours. Keep your vision alive. There will be moments when others cannot see your vision, they might doubt you, they may question your choices, judge you, or try to dim your light. But remember, your vision was not given to them. It was entrusted to you. Protect it, nurture it, and chase it with all the passion you possess.”

President Donald Trump at the University of Alabama

President Donald Trump delivered the longest speech on this list to the University of Alabama. Trump spoke for over 58 minutes, and, according to PBS, alternated in his speech between inspirational messages to the graduates and speaking of his own politics.

“Now is the time to work harder than you’ve ever worked before,” he told the graduates. “Find your limits and then smash through everything.”