The air at Yankee Stadium typically crackles with the energy of home runs and high-stakes baseball, but every May, it transforms into a vast, shimmering sea of violet. New York University’s All-University Commencement is more than a ceremony; it is a cultural landmark in the heart of the Bronx. However, the nature of the NYU graduation speech is currently undergoing its most significant evolution in decades. From celebrity-led inspirations to a controversial shift toward pre-recorded student remarks beginning in 2026, the podium at NYU is reflecting the complex tensions of modern campus life.

The 2025 Landmark: Molly Shannon and the Power of Self-Approval

The Class of 2025 gathered at Yankee Stadium under the shadow of what President Linda Mills described as "times of intense change." Amidst a backdrop of global political tension and domestic shifts in higher education funding, the ceremony managed to find moments of profound human connection through its keynote address.

Molly Shannon, the legendary Saturday Night Live alumna and a 1987 graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts, delivered a speech that veered away from traditional academic platitudes. Instead, she anchored her message in the gritty reality of a performer’s struggle. Shannon’s narrative did not start with stardom; it started with rejection. She shared stories of working as a Nordstrom fragrance model and a waitress, auditioning endlessly while facing the "no" that defines so many creative paths.

The core of her message to the 30,000 graduates and guests was the concept of "approving yourself." Shannon emphasized that success is not found at the finish line of a dream, but in the decision to try. By referencing unlikely success stories like Walt Disney and Stephen King, she reframed failure as a necessary seasoning for future triumph. For the graduates sitting in the stadium, her words served as a reminder that the "Tisch hustle" is a lifelong asset, applicable whether one is entering a boardroom or a film set.

The Student Perspective: Dez’Iree Joy Harmon and the Bridge-Building Theme

While the celebrity speaker often grabs the headlines, the student speaker provides the pulse of the graduating class. In 2025, Dez’Iree Joy Harmon, representing the NYU Shanghai campus, addressed the crowd with a perspective forged by international travel and cross-cultural education.

Harmon’s speech centered on the metaphor of "bridge-building." She argued that an NYU education is not merely about acquiring a degree but about becoming equipped to connect disparate ideas, communities, and nations. In a year marked by visible divisions on campus, Harmon’s call for "figuring it out" through empathy and bridge-building resonated as a practical challenge to her peers. Her address highlighted the unique global network of NYU, reminding the audience that the university’s reach extends far beyond Washington Square Park to Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

The 2026 Policy Pivot: Why NYU is Moving to Pre-recorded Student Speeches

Perhaps the most discussed development regarding NYU graduation speeches is not a specific quote, but a change in format. Starting with the Class of 2026, NYU has implemented a policy requiring student speakers at school-based ceremonies (often referred to as convocations) to provide pre-recorded video remarks rather than delivering live addresses.

University officials have characterized this transition as a move toward a "modern, celebratory, and inclusive" experience. However, the context of this decision is rooted in recent campus controversies. Previous live speeches have occasionally veered into highly charged political territory, leading to friction between speakers, the administration, and segments of the audience. For instance, the May 2025 incident involving Logan Rozos—a Gallatin student whose diploma was reportedly withheld following a speech regarding international conflict—underscores the volatility of the live podium.

The shift to pre-recorded remarks aims to:

  • Ensure Curated Quality: Allowing for higher production value and more concise messaging.
  • Risk Mitigation: Preventing the ceremony from being derailed by unvetted political statements that may not represent the entire student body.
  • Broad Engagement: Utilizing video formats that can be easily shared across social platforms, catering to a digital-first generation of graduates.

While some students and faculty view this as a move toward censorship, the university maintains that it is a necessary step to protect the celebratory atmosphere of the commencement for all families involved.

A Retrospective of Iconic NYU Commencement Wisdom

To understand the weight of an NYU graduation speech, one must look at the giants who have stood at the Yankee Stadium podium. The university has a long-standing tradition of awarding honorary degrees to individuals who have made "indelible imprints on society."

Sanna Marin on Power and Equality (2023)

In 2023, Sanna Marin, then the Prime Minister of Finland, addressed the 190th commencement. As one of the world's youngest heads of state, her speech focused on the changing face of power. Marin famously stated, "The face of power is not the same as the face of the people—and this has to change." Her address was a clarion call for sustainability, equality, and justice, urging graduates to use their NYU-bred curiosity to challenge the status quo.

Anthony Fauci on Service and Resilience (2021)

During the virtual celebrations of 2021, Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed the graduates of the Rory Meyers College of Nursing. At the height of the national response to the pandemic, Fauci’s words were grounded in the "spirit of service." He spoke of the "hard days" that characterize a career in healthcare and how a passion for helping the most vulnerable acts as a "light that will help you see in the dark."

Adam Mosseri on Defining Your Own Path (2021 & 2023)

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram and a Gallatin alumnus, has been a frequent voice of inspiration. His advice often centers on the "climbing wall" versus the "ladder" career model. Mosseri encourages graduates to embrace the "tough but exciting" task of defining their own paths rather than falling into pre-existing narratives. His emphasis on being honest about what you love versus what you are merely good at has become a staple of NYU career wisdom.

The Anatomy of a Successful NYU Graduation Speech

For those selected to speak at an NYU ceremony, the pressure is immense. Based on university guidelines and historical successes, a great NYU speech follows a specific internal logic.

The Past, Present, and Future Structure

The most effective speeches avoid a chronological list of achievements. Instead, they use a thematic "Past, Present, and Future" structure:

  1. Past: Relatable anecdotes about the NYU experience—late nights at Bobst Library, the struggle of the L train, or the community found in Washington Square Park.
  2. Present: Acknowledging the specific milestone of the day and the collective resilience of the class.
  3. Future: A forward-looking challenge that connects the graduate’s specific field of study to the broader needs of the world.

Authenticity over AI

NYU’s selection committees have recently become more stringent regarding the use of AI in drafting speeches. The "E" in NYU's standards—Experience—cannot be replicated by a large language model. Authenticity comes from the "found family" that President Linda Mills often speaks about. A successful speech must capture the specific cultural background and social experience of being an NYU student in New York City.

The Ceremony of the Torch

Every NYU graduation speech is part of a larger symbolic narrative represented by the Ceremony of the Torch. The university torch, a silver masterpiece from 1911, is passed from a senior faculty member to the youngest undergraduate degree recipient. This ritual, combined with the final speeches, symbolizes the transfer of knowledge and the "burning light" that graduates are expected to carry into the world.

Understanding the Ceremony Structure

Navigating NYU’s graduation season requires understanding the two-tier structure of the events:

  • All-University Commencement: This is the massive event at Yankee Stadium. Because of the sheer volume of graduates (often exceeding 13,000), individual names are not read. Instead, the focus is on the keynote speaker, honorary degree recipients, and the symbolic conferring of degrees by deans.
  • School-Based Ceremonies: These are the intimate gatherings where students actually walk across the stage. This is where the new pre-recorded speech policy will be most visible. These ceremonies allow for individual recognition and specific departmental traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions about NYU Graduation Speeches

Who was the NYU graduation speaker in 2025?

The 2025 All-University Commencement speaker was Molly Shannon, a former Saturday Night Live star and NYU Tisch alumna. The student speaker was Dez’Iree Joy Harmon from NYU Shanghai.

Why is NYU switching to pre-recorded student speeches?

Starting in 2026, NYU is requiring student speakers at school-based ceremonies to provide video remarks. The university states this is to create an "engaging, modern, and inclusive" experience, though it also follows instances of controversial live speeches.

How are student speakers selected for NYU graduation?

There is a competitive application process managed by individual schools. Selection committees look for speeches that resonate with a broad audience and demonstrate authenticity and a clear connection to the NYU community.

Can anyone attend the NYU graduation speeches?

Attendance at Yankee Stadium requires tickets. Graduates are typically allocated a specific number of tickets for their guests through the university's ticketing portal.

Summary of the Evolving Graduation Tradition

The NYU graduation speech remains a vital platform for reflecting the university's values of curiosity, imagination, and ingenuity. While the format may be shifting toward digital pre-recordings and the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium remains subject to the political winds of the time, the core mission remains unchanged. Whether it is Molly Shannon talking about the "rejection hustle" or a student leader calling for "bridge-building," these speeches serve as the final lesson for graduates before they step out of the "violet sea" and into their professional lives. As the university moves toward 2026, the challenge will be to maintain the "heartfelt message" and "humanity" that speakers like Israel Rocha Jr. have championed, ensuring that even a recorded speech can still ignite the "seeds of change."