Actor, producer and activist Alfre Woodard will deliver the commencement address to the Tufts University Class of 2019 on Sunday, May 19. Woodard will receive an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the ceremony to be held at 9 a.m. on The Green on Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus.
Woodard's exemplary work across her 40-year acting career has earned her an Academy Award nomination, four Emmy Awards and 17 nominations, three SAG Awards, a Grammy Award nomination and a Golden Globe.
Each year, the university honors a number of distinguished individuals with honorary degrees recognizing their significant accomplishments and contributions in the varied academic, scholarly, and professional fields represented at Tufts.
Read more about this year's recipients.
Baccalaureate Service
Photo by Alonso Nichols
A tradition that began in 1864, the Baccalaureate Service is the last time the undergraduate class comes together, alone, as a class. This multifaith celebration honors the heritage of spirituality and values at Tufts through a diversity of religions, philosophies and cultures in the forms of music, readings and blessings.
The Illumination Ceremonies are a longstanding and beloved Tufts tradition that take place on the first night of Orientation and on the eve of Commencement. The class gathers to place “a light on the hill” before venturing out into the world.
They come from as far away as Eritrea and as close at Malden. They are aiming to go into science and engineering, health care and business—with a dash of fine arts. Catch up with some Tufts seniors as they head out into the world.
By Eric Weinberger Photos by Alonso Nichols and Anna Miller
Regale Us
We asked nine Tufts professors to tell us the personal stories behind their elaborate Commencement fashions.
