North Carolina is no stranger to celebrity guest speakers at university commencement ceremonies.<\/p>\n
Between 2020-2024, Duke University has hosted<\/a> 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<\/a> spoke at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the school’s 2025 commencement ceremony.<\/p>\n The list goes on \u2015and 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.<\/p>\n Here’s what to know in 2026.<\/p>\n Notable speakers slated to deliver commencement speeches at N.C. schools in 2026 include:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Grammy Award-nominated country singer will return to his North Carolina roots to speak to graduates at the\u00a0University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill<\/a> on May 9.<\/p>\n Lewis, a former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, is set to address graduates from\u00a0North Carolina Central University’s<\/a>\u00a0College of Health & Sciences, School of Education and School of Business on May 9.<\/p>\n The multihyphenate performer will be one of the speakers at\u00a0North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s<\/a>\u00a0graduation on May 8.<\/p>\n Queen Latifah attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kevin Williamson, a 1987 graduate of East Carolina University, will deliver the keynote address during the spring commencement ceremony<\/a> at 10 a.m. May 8 in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.<\/p>\nWhich celebrities are giving commencement speeches in North Carolina?<\/h2>\n
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Eric Church North Carolina commencement speech<\/h2>\n
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Ray Lewis North Carolina commencement speech<\/h2>\n
Queen Latifah North Carolina commencement speech<\/h2>\n
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Kevin Williamson North Carolina commencement speech<\/h2>\n