NYU's got its famous commencement speaker: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The Bronx native was appointed to the highest court in the land back in 2009 and she's a pretty good follow-up to last year's NYU commencement speaker, Bill Clinton, especially since she used to teach at NYU Law School. more ›

You know what will make Columbia University undergraduates more insane than rumors about Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadenijad being invited to speak on campus? The confirmation that President Barack Obama, Columbia College Class of 1983, will speak at Barnard College's commencement. Here's a sample comment from Columbia's student newspaper: "What a dbag. Romney 2012." more ›

NYU Local believes that former President Bill Clinton will speak at NYU Commencement this year, based on a tipster's dinner conversation with an administrator. NYU spokesman John Beckman didn't confirm or deny the rumor, so it's true, right? more ›

Mayor Bloomberg was awarded an honorary degree at Fordham University's commencement yesterday. While he wasn't the marquee speaker—that was Tom Brokaw—he did get to tell the graduates a little something: "I am not going to tell you right here the secrets to success, although it never hurts to be the first one into the office each morning-and the last one to leave. I am not going to tell you how to choose a career, but it doesn't hurt to pick that first job based on how much you'll learn, not how much you'll earn. I'm not going to tell you how to avoid getting fired, because I have been fired, and it was the best thing that ever happened to my career. I am not I am not going to tell you how to spend your free time, but there's nothing more important than giving back to your community." more ›

Speaking of stadium streaking, NYU's commencement ceremony is at Yankee Stadium today, and there's talk that the new ballfield could get its first buff job to match last night's Citi Field christening. You'll recall that last year NYU graduate Will Lopez made news by dashing onto the field (video) in boxers and his gown, rounding third, and getting tackled by security. Lopez tells the News, "I have a bunch of friends that are graduating this year. All of them are like, 'One of us has to carry the torch.' It would be great if somebody tried to make it a tradition. But I'm not sure if any of them have the guts to do it." This from the guy who "streaked" with underwear on because he "thought they might nail me for public indecency." Anyway, his buddies' fifteen minutes of fame is going be tougher to come by this year because security is definitely on the lookout for such shenanigans, and the keynote speaker is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But come on, bros, you aren't seriously going to let the Secret Service stand in the way of tradition? more ›

It's time to run down the various commencement speakers around town—please let us know about others in comments (or email us at tips[at] gothamist[dot]com). This Wednesday, New York University will have its commencement at Yankee Stadium—and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will give the commencement address. Clinton will also be the commencement speaker at Barnard College's ceremony next Monday. more ›

NYU announced today that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will give the commencement speech at their graduation ceremonies on May 13th at Yankee Stadium. Hillary will be presented with an honorary doctorate of law alongside other guests of honor, including playwright John Patrick Shanley, White House journalist Helen Thomas, health advocate Jessie Gruman and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Fert. Schools Chancellor Joel Klien will receive the “Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City.” Hillary is also slated to give the commencement address at Barnard this year, while Columbia University grads will hear a speech from new Attorney General Eric Holder. Meanwhile out in Los Angeles, current Columbia student and Pineapple Express star James Franco will give the commencement address at UCLA. more ›