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. Barnard Board of Trustees Chair Anna Quindlen said, "Secretary Clinton represents everything we embody at Barnard. A lifetime of public service and intellectual excellence have made her one of the most respected women in America, and in the world. She joins an exemplary group of medalists whose careers have shaped opportunities for women in their field."
Columbia College's class day speaker is another member of the Obama administration—Attorney General Eric Holder (Class of 1973). It's safe to say he's no Matthew Fox (the Lost star was the 2007 Class Day speaker), but he's no Schools Chancellor Joel Klein (last year's speaker) either. Holder will be speaking on May 19; on May 18, Columbia's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences' commencement will feature James Albaugh, EVP of Boeing (and SEAS Class of 1974).
Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw is Fordham's commencement speaker on May 16. May 16 is also the College of Mount Saint Vincent's commencement—Doubt playwright John Patrick Shanley is giving the address.
The CUNY schools have a number of notables speaking—here are just a few: Civil rights leader and Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia) is speaking at Queens College (May 28); Judge Sonia Sotomayor (the possible Supreme Court pick) will be speaking at Eugenio María de Hostos Community College (June 4); Dr. Jill Biden, wife of VP Joe Biden and a professor at Northern Virginia Community College, will be at Kingsborough Community College (June 12); New Yorker editor David Remnick will give the address at Macaulay Honors College (June 1); and Governor Paterson is speaking at York College (May 29).
