Originally Posted: May 13, 2017
Last Updated: May 15, 2017
Image via Eva Rinaldi, Flickr.
Okay, so “cool” is relative. And there are A LOT of amazing artists, scientists, politicians, journalists, civil servants, and other pioneers giving commencement speeches at colleges all over the country this year…like they do every year, tbh.
But we have to say—and no disrespect to anyone we omitted—these are the coolest commencement speakers of 2017. They’re charming, brilliant, and inimitable. You won’t be hearing “this is the first day of the rest of your life” from them. So listen up, Class of 2017.
PS The school listed is where they will be giving the commencement or keynote address. We've also noted separately if the speaker also happens to be an alumnus of the school.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
School: Williams College
Primary occupation: Author
Known for: Novels such as Americanah, TED Talks, winning MacArthur Fellowship award, and being featured in Beyoncé song "***Flawless"
Joe Biden
School: Colby College
Primary occupation: Politician
Known for: Serving as Vice President of the United States from 2009–2017 and Senator representing Delaware from 1973–2009, starring in all your favorite memes, and just being Uncle Joe
Cory Booker
School: University of Pennsylvania
Primary occupation: Senator (D-New Jersey)
Known for: Representing the state of New Jersey, being a prominent voice in the Democratic Party, and serving as former mayor of Newark, New Jersey
Tim Cook
School: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Primary occupation: CEO, Apple
Known for: Being one of the most influential executives in the world, leading Apple following the death of Steve Jobs and implementing more progressive policies
Dalai Lama
School: University of California, San Diego
Primary occupation: Umm…being the Dalai Lama
Known for: Serving as a global spiritual leader and social justice advocate
Theo Epstein
School: Yale University
Primary occupation: President and General Manager, Chicago Cubs
Known for: Youngest GM in the history of the Major League Baseball, Boston Red Sox GM during 2004 World Series win (their first in 86 years), and Chicago Cubs GM during 2016 World Series win (their first in 108 years); also an alumnus of Yale University
Will Ferrell
School: University of Southern California
Primary occupation: Actor
Known for: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Elf, Saturday Night Live, and many other blockbuster comedies; also an alumnus of University of Southern California
Katherine Johnson
School: Hampton University
Primary occupation: Physicist and mathematician
Known for: Contributing to the moon landing and other aerospace endeavors with her pivotal calculations, winning Presidential Medal of Freedom, and being featured in the book and movie Hidden Figures
Billie Jean King
School: Northwestern University
Primary occupation: Tennis legend
Known for: Former #1 tennis player in the world; athletic, gay rights, and women’s rights advocacy; and the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match
John Lewis
School: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Primary occupation: Congressman (D-Georgia)
Known for: Being a civil rights leader and icon, representing Atlanta in the House of Representatives since 1987, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States
Joanne Liu
School: Barnard College
Primary occupation: President, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)
Known for: Providing, both directly and indirectly, medical assistance to the most marginalized people in the world
Janelle Monae
School: Dillard University
Primary occupation: Singer, actress
Known for: Hit songs such as “Tightrope,” starring in movies such as Hidden Figures, and serving as Cover Girl spokeswoman
Nick Offerman
School: University of Illinois
Primary occupation: Actor
Known for: Starring in "Parks and Recreation,” authoring bestselling books, and woodworking; also an alumnus of University of Illinois
Sheryl Sandberg
School: Virginia Tech
Primary occupation: Chief Operating Officer, Facebook
Known for: Writing the bestseller Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead and being one of the most influential executives in the world
Bernie Sanders
School: Brooklyn College
Primary occupation: Senator (I-Vermont)
Known for: Candidate for Democratic presidential nomination, longest-serving independent in the history of Congress, and being a prominent progressive voice; also an alumnus of Brooklyn College
Arnold Schwarzenegger
School: University of Houston
Primary occupation: Actor
Known for: Blockbusters such as Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, serving as the "Governator" of California, and bodybuilding career
Octavia Spencer
School: Kent State University
Primary occupation: Actress
Known for: Academy Award–recognized performances in hit movies such as The Help (won) and Hidden Figures (nominated)
Jake Tapper
School: Dartmouth College
Primary occupation: News anchor, CNN
Known for: Serving as Chief Washington Correspondent and hosting The Lead with Jake Tapper for CNN, and being professional yet sassy even in the face of circus-like presidential primary debates; also an alumnus of Dartmouth College
Pharrel Williams
School: New York University
Primary occupation: Musician
Known for: Writing, producing, and/or performing megahits such as “Happy,” “Get Lucky,” and “Frontin’”; part of the duo The Neptunes
Oprah Winfrey
School: Skidmore College
Primary occupation: Media mogul
Known for: She’s Oprah, for crying out loud.
