Norfolk State University announced Pharrell Williams would be its special guest this year and deliver the commencement address for December graduates of the class of 2021.
It gets even better; Williams will also be awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree at the Norfolk State ceremony. Additionally, NSU will grant 400 degrees to contenders who have already completed their associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral requirements.
NSU is pleased to announce that Virginia native Pharrell Williams will deliver the keynote address at NSU’s 107th Commencement Exercise held on campus at 9 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 11, at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall. It will also be live-streamed at https://t.co/faerBq8zTL. pic.twitter.com/1o4Jldtg0y
— Norfolk State University (@Norfolkstate) December 10, 2021
Over the years, Williams has always had a hand in his home state’s growth and expansion. Last year, he assisted Gov. Ralph Northam’s Juneteenth announcement sharing it would become a paid holiday for Virginia state employees, and organized a music festival, “Something in the Water in 2019.
Williams has also spoken out on racial injustices. Most recently, penning a letter to Virginia Beach city officials in October, sharing the city has “toxic energy,” and was displeased with the lack of urgency during the fatal shooting of his cousin, Donovan Lynch, by V.A. Beach police.
Graduates are sure to be “happy” that Williams will deliver a speech again this year. Last year, Williams spoke to the May graduating class.
Commencement will occur at the Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall in person on December 11, beginning at 9 a.m. There will also be a live stream on NSU’s website, www.nsu.edu.
