Celebrities and Commencement Season

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 May 2009 05:59 AM

It's graduation time, and there's no better way to draw attention to your school's commencement ceremony than to invite a big name celebrity to address students.

This year is no different with Oprah heading to Duke University to inspire the graduating class of 2009 to never give up on their dreams. Easy for her to say.

In addition, President Barack Obama made it through his commencement address to students at The University of Notre Dame, despite protestors who disagree with his stance on abortion.

Meanwhile, in New England, basketball star, Larry Bird and legendary movie director Steven Spielberg were the guests of honor at Boston University. The Celtics' legend and the Oscar winner received honorary degrees Sunday at the school's 136th graduation.

Bird, who is now president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, and Spielberg, who recently directed "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," didn't address the student body, that job was left to U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, who also received an honorary doctor of laws.

South of Boston, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and actor-musician Harry Connick Jr. returned to their hometown of New Orleans to cheer on Tulane University's graduating "Katrina Class." The class of 2009 is made up of students, who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina nearly four years ago.

"Look at you," DeGeneres told the 2,000-plus graduates who received diplomas at the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday. "Usually when you're wearing a robe at 10 in the morning it means you've given up."

The joke referenced DeGeneres' appearance at the school's 2006 graduation ceremonies when former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton delivered Tulane's commencement address. Back then, DeGeneres walked on stage wearing a white terrycloth bathrobe because, she joked, she was told by school officials that everyone would be wearing a robe.

Connick took a more subdued approach to addressing Tulane graduates.

"You are my heroes," Connick told the class of 2009.

The award-wining musician was also given an honorary degree for his work in the city's recovery process.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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