Justin Trudeau to Deliver Commencement Speech at NYU Graduation
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will speak at the Class of 2018’s graduation on May 16.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will deliver the commencement address at the NYU Class of 2018 graduation on May 16 in Yankee Stadium, Student Government Assembly Chair Juan Calero announced in a pre-recorded Facebook video posted at 2 p.m. today. Trudeau, the first acting head of government to deliver an NYU commencement speech in recent memory, will be granted an honorary doctor of laws degree.
In a press release, NYU touted Trudeau’s accomplishments, namely “creating new jobs,” “fostering strength out of Canada’s rich diversity,” and “fighting climate change.” “A proud feminist, Trudeau appointed Canada’s first gender-balanced cabinet,” the statement continued.
In addition, NYU announced that Didi Chuxing President Jean Liu, Chair and CEO of United Therapeutics Martine Rothblatt, NYU Law Professor and Founder of Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson, and NASA’s Voyager Mission team members John Richard Casani, Suzanne Rosik Dodd, and Edward Carroll Stone, will also receive honorary degrees.
Recent NYU graduations have featured former President Bill Clinton and Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor as commencement speakers. Then-Vice President Al Gore spoke at NYU’s graduation in 1998. Singer, songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams delivered the commencement address at last year’s graduation.
