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New York University held the All-University for the Class of 2025 on Thursday, May 15 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The university’s 192nd Commencement Exercises honored 21,000 overjoyed graduates dressed in their majestic purple caps and gowns.

This year’s ceremony invited two iconic alumni to the ceremony, Former SNL comedian Molly Shannon, who graduated from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama in 1987, and Keia Clarke, CEO of the WNBA New York Liberty, who graduated from the NYU School of Professional Studies in 2006.

The ceremony started at 11 AM with an opening performance by the 2025 graduates of the Tisch School of the Arts performing “Living 4 the City/ Welcome 2 New York” as a tribute to New York City. The national anthem was sung by Yumelo Stern, (IG@yumeko.stern), who graduated with NYU Steinhardt VP 2025.

After the President of NYU, Linda G. Mills, gave her President’s message, the Provost, Georgina Dopico, lit the Ceremony Torch for the start of the ceremony. The presentation of Candidates for Degrees and Advanced Certificates were presented by President Mills for 19 schools at NYU. Some of the schools include NYU’s School of Law, NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing, NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering and NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

This year’s honorary degree recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letter (L.H.D), Keia Clarke became an official member of NYU’s School of Professional Studies Alumni Hall of Fame and received her L.H.D. The L.H.D. is an honorary degree awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contributions and achievements in humanitarian efforts.

Three-time Emmy-nominated actress/comedian Molly Shannon took the stage receiving her Doctor of Fine Arts for her distinguished career in film and television for her six-year tenure on Saturday Night Live from 1995-2001, with her most memorable character Mary Katherine Gallagher, who famously loved smelling her armpits.

She has also hosted SNL twice in 2007 and 2023 She has made appearances in iconic shows like Will & Grace, and Seinfeld. She has earned numerous film credits in movies like Superstar (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Promised Young Women (2020), and The White Lotus (2021).

Shannon gave a stand-up style speech celebrating the 2025 graduates and speaking to them about her journey in becoming an actress since graduating from the Tisch School. She was dressed in her honorary NYU cap and gown, and said “Please join me in congratulating the Graduating Class of 2025!”.

The crowd roared as Shannon spoke to the graduates about what is up next for their future.” You are tomorrow’s artists, engineers, lawyers, doctors, senators, musicians, writers, actors, and most of all leaders.” she said.

“I know how excited you are, and how scared you are. If I can give a piece of advice, whatever road you choose to follow, you will get bumps. It’s unavoidable. These bumps are part of everyone’s journey. These bumps will make you doubt yourself, give up, or feel stuck. The key is how you react. My advice when you hit a bump is to keep moving. You need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. And move ahead, because that is the only way amazing things can happen.” she said.

She reflected on her life’s journey losing her mother and sister when she was four years old and being raised by her father. “When he moved forward, he helped me move forward to NYU!” she said.

She detailed her journey in entering entertainment. After graduating from NYU, she ventured out to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress, and how difficult it was when no one wanted to hire her and got numerous rejections. She next listed all the odd jobs she had to work to make ends meet while pursuing her acting career.

“I sold gym memberships, I was a receptionist for a video dating service, I sold office supplies and quit the same day, I worked as a booker for a modeling agency, I was a temp at Warner Brothers and a waitress,” she said.

“I didn’t hit bumps, I hit huge potholes and detours. This leads me to my second piece of advice to embrace who you are. I was me. Before e-mail, I would have boxes of numbers from all those crazy jobs and started calling about my stand-up show playing characters that only I could play. I remembered to stop waiting for someone else’s approval to do the thing you love. Approve yourself!” she said.

The crowd applauded deafeningly, as she spoke on how she landed the gig that would change her life. “SNL didn’t want to come to my show, so I took my money and sent in a tape. I heard back and got rejected. This leads me to my third piece of advice I wish someone had told me, There is a reason why you’re not getting what you want. This motivated me to make my show better. So, I went in deeper and took notes on what words got laughs and what didn’t and got sharper and better. SNL was looking for more women and asked me to send me another tape. I said No, if wanted to consider me, you have to come see my show. They agreed.” she said.

Marci Klein, the producer and the show’s head talent department, asked Shannon to come audition for SNL in New York. She then met Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, in his office and he pointed at her and said “You got the job!”

“This leads me to my last piece of advice, Treasure your community. Yes, I worked hard, but I couldn’t make it without friends. Your friends and colleagues are the ones that make all the difference. Someone sitting here, right now, in this community is probably going to be the one to tell someone they should hire, partner up with you or give you the boost at some pivot moment.” she said. “There was a magic when I stopped saying, I want to be an actress to I am an actress”

The ceremony ended with President Mills officially announcing “You are now NYU Graduates and now joined the ranks of NYU alumni. Then the thunderous explosion of purple and white confetti filled the air celebrating another year of achievement.

Photo Credit:Alex Woodworth,  (IG@ @alexhwoodworth)