LeVar Burton Headlines Howard University’s 2025 Commencement

Howard University’s 157th Commencement ceremony will take place on May 10, 2025, on the historic grounds of The Yard. Beginning at 10 a.m., this landmark event will honor one of the largest graduating classes in the university’s history, with graduates from all 14 schools and colleges earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The keynote address will be delivered by the renowned LeVar Burton, whose illustrious career as an actor, director, author, and literacy advocate has inspired millions. Burton, a Peabody, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner, is best known for his iconic roles as Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots and Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Beyond his work in entertainment, Burton has been a dedicated champion of literacy, hosting the beloved children’s program Reading Rainbow for over two decades and continuing his mission through the LeVar Burton Reads podcast, which has garnered millions of downloads. For his extraordinary contributions to education and the arts, Burton will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

The ceremony will celebrate additional luminaries with honorary degrees. Dr. Emery Neal Brown will receive a Doctorate of Science for his groundbreaking work in computational neuroscience and anesthesiology. Honorable Barbara Lee, a trailblazing congresswoman known for her commitment to social justice, will be awarded a Doctor of Laws. Joining them is Lilian Seenoi-Barr, Northern Ireland’s first Black mayor, and Natasha Trethewey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, both receiving Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Letters degrees, respectively.

This commencement not only celebrates the academic achievements of the Class of 2025 but also underscores Howard University’s mission of truth and service. Since its founding in 1867, Howard has been a beacon of excellence, producing leaders who have shaped history. The return to The Yard, alongside the remarkable presence of LeVar Burton and other honorees, makes this milestone event a testament to the university’s enduring legacy and its promise for the future.

SOURCE: Howard University

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LeVar Burton Headlines Howard University’s 157th Commencement  was originally published on ronewoldcnews.staging.go.ione.nyc