The content below is being updated and still reflects information from the 2024 commencement weekend. Please check back for updates in January 2025.

2021 Commencement Speaker

Photo courtesy of John Legen

John Legend

Multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter, actor, producer and philanthropist John Legend will deliver Duke University’s undergraduate commencement address Sunday, May 2, in Wallace Wade Stadium, President Vincent Price announced Tuesday. Duke will also award Legend an honorary degree during the ceremony.

It will be a return to Duke for Legend, who performed on campus alongside Kanye West during the 2004 last day of classes (LDOC) concert. The first African-American man to achieve “EGOT” distinction, having earned Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, Legend is also an active philanthropist and supporter of criminal justice reform.

Read More on Duke Today »