Actor, producer and entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker will address the Class of 2026 at Northwestern University’s 168th Commencement on Sunday, June 14, at the United Center in Chicago. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., marking the culmination of a busy Graduation Weekend for students and their families.
Several schools and programs within Northwestern will also host individual convocations featuring keynote speakers in the days surrounding Commencement. On Friday, June 12, The Graduate School will hold its annual Ph.D. and M.F.A. hooding ceremony at Ryan Fieldhouse, with Provost Kathleen Hagerty and Kelly Mayo set to speak.
On Saturday, June 13, Josh Meyers will headline the School of Communication convocation at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Emil J. Kang is slated as keynote speaker for the Bienen School of Music convocation later that day in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Nobel laureate Joel Mokyr will deliver remarks for Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences’ convocation that afternoon.
Kristian Hammond will give the keynote address for the School of Professional Studies’ convocation on Saturday afternoon. Ann Drake is scheduled to speak to graduates from Kellogg School of Management on Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Julie Pace has been named this year’s Medill School convocation speaker for Monday morning ceremonies at Ryan Fieldhouse. Antonio Daniels and Aaron W. Saak are set to address McCormick School of Engineering undergraduate and graduate ceremonies respectively on Monday as well.
Northwestern’s graduation season began earlier in May with ceremonies held by Northwestern Qatar—where Dr. Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari addressed graduates—and by Pritzker School of Law with Ernest Greer delivering remarks on May 15 at Chicago Theater. Feinberg School of Medicine honored its MD Class during an event on May 18 featuring Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz from Duke University.
