David Rubenstein, Michael S. Barr, British Robinson, Caroline Aaron, Kwame Alexander and Sherrilyn Ifill will be American University’s spring commencement speakers, University President Sylvia Burwell announced Wednesday.
“This year, we’re excited to welcome six changemakers who will continue American University’s tradition of celebrating our graduates and empowering them to continue to pursue their paths of purpose, service and leadership,” Burwell wrote in a press release.
Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group and owner of the Baltimore Orioles, will begin the festivities as he addresses the Kogod School of Business graduates on Friday, May 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Barr, the vice chair for supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under President Joe Biden, will be the speaker for the School of Public Affairs graduation on May 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Robinson is the coordinator for Prosper Africa, a U.S. government economic initiative. She will speak to the School of International Service graduates on Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
Aaron, a 1974 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and actress known for her role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” will address CAS graduates on May 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Alexander is an Emmy Award-winning producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author. He will speak to both the Schools of Communication and Education graduates on May 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Ifill is the Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights at the Howard University School of Law and former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She is set to address Washington College of Law graduates on Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m.
All commencement ceremonies will be held in Bender Arena and will be livestreamed.
“As leaders who have achieved success in a variety of fields, our spring 2024 commencement speakers will inspire our graduating Eagles to fulfill their potential to be the change our world needs today,” Burwell wrote in a press release.
This article was edited by Kathryn Squyres, Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
