North Carolina is no stranger to celebrity guest speakers at university commencement ceremonies.
Between 2020-2024, Duke University has hosted famous speakers including comedian Jerry Seinfeld, singer-songwriter John Legend and actor Ken Jeong. Even more recently, Olympic gold medalist and former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team player Mia Hamm spoke at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the school’s 2025 commencement ceremony.
The list goes on ―and this year, more notable speakers will be added to the roster with famous musicians, an accomplished television and movie writer/director and more slated to speak at North Carolina schools to celebrate new graduates.
Here’s what to know in 2026.
Which celebrities are giving commencement speeches in North Carolina?
Notable speakers slated to deliver commencement speeches at N.C. schools in 2026 include:
Eric Church North Carolina commencement speech
Eric Church poses with the ACM Icon Award during the 18th Academy Of Country Music Honors at The Pinnacle on Aug. 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Grammy Award-nominated country singer will return to his North Carolina roots to speak to graduates at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on May 9.
Ray Lewis North Carolina commencement speech
Lewis, a former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, is set to address graduates from North Carolina Central University’s College of Health & Sciences, School of Education and School of Business on May 9.
Queen Latifah North Carolina commencement speech
The multihyphenate performer will be one of the speakers at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s graduation on May 8.
Queen Latifah attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.
Kevin Williamson North Carolina commencement speech
Kevin Williamson, a 1987 graduate of East Carolina University, will deliver the keynote address during the spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. May 8 in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Williamson is a writer, director and producer known for his 1996 work on the horror film “Scream.” He has also worked on popular television shows, including “Dawson’s Creek.”
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Eric Church, Queen Latifah, more set to speak 2026 NC commencements
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