Graduate Send-Off: 2015 Commencement Speakers

The Obamas, Maya Rudolph, Edwidge Danticat and others.

Michelle Obama - As the pomp and circumstance of graduation season draws closer, BET.com runs down the list of distinguished individuals delivering commencement speeches in 2015. — Patrice Peck  First lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address at Tuskegee University on May 9. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Michelle Obama - As the pomp and circumstance of graduation season draws closer, BET.com runs down the list of distinguished individuals delivering commencement speeches in 2015. — Patrice Peck First lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address at Tuskegee University on May 9. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama - U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement speech for Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota on May 8.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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President Barack Obama - U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement speech for Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota on May 8.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Debra Lee - BET Networks CEO Debra Lee is set to speak at USC's Annenberg School of Communication commencement ceremony on May 15. (Photo: Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Debra Lee - BET Networks CEO Debra Lee is set to speak at USC's Annenberg School of Communication commencement ceremony on May 15. (Photo: Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Maya Rudolph - Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph will deliver the keynote address at Tulane University’s 2015 Commencement at  9 a.m. on May 16 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

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Maya Rudolph - Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph will deliver the keynote address at Tulane University’s 2015 Commencement at  9 a.m. on May 16 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Condoleezza Rice - Former U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will speak at the College of William & Mary’s 2015 Commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16 in William & Mary Hall.(Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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Condoleezza Rice - Former U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will speak at the College of William & Mary’s 2015 Commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16 in William & Mary Hall.(Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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Deval Patrick - Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will be the principal speaker at the Afternoon Exercises of Harvard’s 364th Commencement on May 28. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Deval Patrick - Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will be the principal speaker at the Afternoon Exercises of Harvard’s 364th Commencement on May 28. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Mellody Hobson - DreamWorks Animation Chairman, Ariel Investments President and Moderator Mellody Hobson will deliver the commencement address for USC’s 132nd commencement in Alumni Park on May 15. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

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Mellody Hobson - DreamWorks Animation Chairman, Ariel Investments President and Moderator Mellody Hobson will deliver the commencement address for USC’s 132nd commencement in Alumni Park on May 15. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Colin Powell - Retired Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will deliver the commencement address at Rice University on May 16.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Colin Powell - Retired Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will deliver the commencement address at Rice University on May 16.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Blair Underwood - Actor, director and producer Blair Underwood will be the featured speaker at Penn State Lehigh Valley's 2015 commencement ceremony on May 9 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa.(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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Blair Underwood - Actor, director and producer Blair Underwood will be the featured speaker at Penn State Lehigh Valley's 2015 commencement ceremony on May 9 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa.(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

Ursula Burns - Chairman and CEO of Xerox Ursula Burns will be the principal speaker at William College’s 226th Commencement Exercise on June 7. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for FORTUNE)

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Ursula Burns - Chairman and CEO of Xerox Ursula Burns will be the principal speaker at William College’s 226th Commencement Exercise on June 7. (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for FORTUNE)

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Marian Wright Edelman - Children's Defense Fund founder and president Marian Wright Edelman will deliver the commencement address at Oberlin College on Monday, May 25 in Tappan Square.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for CDF)

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Marian Wright Edelman - Children's Defense Fund founder and president Marian Wright Edelman will deliver the commencement address at Oberlin College on Monday, May 25 in Tappan Square.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for CDF)

Edwidge Danticat - Award-winning author Edwidge Danticat will be the featured speaker at University of Indianapolis's commencement exercises at Key Stadium on May 2.(Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

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Edwidge Danticat - Award-winning author Edwidge Danticat will be the featured speaker at University of Indianapolis's commencement exercises at Key Stadium on May 2.(Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Leslie Uggams - Actress and singer Leslie Uggams will deliver a speech to the University of Connecticut's School of Fine Arts graduates on Saturday, May 9. (Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images)

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Leslie Uggams - Actress and singer Leslie Uggams will deliver a speech to the University of Connecticut's School of Fine Arts graduates on Saturday, May 9. (Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Sheila Johnson - BET co-founder and billionaire Sheila Johnson will deliver a speech to graduates of American University's School of Communication on May 9.(Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

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Sheila Johnson - BET co-founder and billionaire Sheila Johnson will deliver a speech to graduates of American University's School of Communication on May 9.(Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

Photo By Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post

Seth Williams - Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams will deliver the commencement address for Penn State Brandywine on May 9 in the Commons/Athletic Building.(Photo: Sarah J. Glover/Philadelphia Inquirer/ MCT /LANDOV)

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Seth Williams - Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams will deliver the commencement address for Penn State Brandywine on May 9 in the Commons/Athletic Building.(Photo: Sarah J. Glover/Philadelphia Inquirer/ MCT /LANDOV)

Photo By Photo: Sarah J. Glover/Philadelphia Inquirer/ MCT /LANDOV