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Every May and June, some of the brightest (and coolest) minds in the country descend upon college and university campuses to deliver commencement speeches to eager graduates about to embark on their next life journeys — and to the millions of people watching at home. And that means that every May and June, we can count on a healthy dose of amazing advice (sometimes with a heaping serving of hilarity as well).
Needless to say, we’re really excited for the 2017 graduation season — especially considering the line-up of speakers that have already been announced. Behold this unbelievable list.
Hillary Clinton, Wellesley CollegeHillary Clinton will return to her alma mater, Wellesley College, to give the school’s 2017 commencement speech on May 26 — and it won’t be her first time doing so. Clinton (who was Hillary Rodham at the time) became the first-ever student commencement speaker at Wellesley when she spoke at her own graduation in 1969.
Bernie Sanders, Brooklyn CollegeBernie Sanders, an advocate of free college tuition and reduced student debt, will speak to Brooklyn College graduates on May 30.
Mark Zuckerberg, Harvard UniversityThe founder and CEO of Facebook will return to Harvard University (which he attended before dropping out to pursue his Facebook dream) on May 25 to give the commencement speech, an honor that has previously gone to the likes of Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates — the latter of whom talked to Zuckerberg about it in a teaser video that Harvard released in March.
Jake Tapper, Dartmouth UniversityCNN anchor Jake Tapper has weathered mind-boggling encounters with President Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway and battled repeat accusations by POTUS and the Trump administration that his home network is “Fake News,” and, honestly, come out on top. The star anchor will deliver the commencement speech at his alma mater, Dartmouth University on June 11.
Janelle Monáe, Dillard UniversityHidden Figures star (and all-around badass actress, singer, activist, and woman), Janelle Monáe, will speak at Dillard University’s graduation on May 13.
Oprah Winfrey, Skidmore College and Smith CollegeOprah is basically a graduation speech expert at this point, having already delivered commencement addresses at the likes of Stanford University, Harvard University, and Duke University. And this year she’s speaking at two graduations: Skidmore College on May 20 and Smith College on May 21.
Sheryl Sandberg, Virginia TechMark Zuckerberg isn’t the only Facebook executive addressing graduates this year: Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO and founder of LeanIn.org, will also be giving a speech. Sandberg will address graduates of Virginia Tech on May 12.
John Lewis, Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsCongressman John Lewis, an outspoken activist and civil rights hero (who was attacked by President Trump on Twitter), will receive an honorary degree and give a speech at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on May 13.
Tim Cook, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Apple CEO Tim Cook, will address MIT graduates on June 9, following in the footsteps of Matt Damon, who delivered the commencement address last year.
Check out even more sure-to-be amazing speakers, below.
Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman and CEOArizona State University, May 8
Will Ferrell, SNL Alum and Anchorman StarUniversity of Southern California, May 12
Steve Levitan, Modern Family Co-CreatorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison, May 12-13
Senator Cory BookerUniversity of Pennsylvania, May 15
Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton AuthorLafayette College, May 20
Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls and Parenthood StarLangley High School, June 15
Dalai LamaUniversity of California, San Diego, June 17
Related: The Best Advice From All the 2016 Commencement Speeches
