Famous Faces Announced for Rhode Island 2026 Graduations

Spring semesters are winding down at colleges and universities all across the country, and graduating seniors are gearing up for their big day.

Ceremonies at Rhode Island's colleges and universities are scheduled throughout May and many have even announced their commencement speakers.

From famous Hollywood faces to sports stars local fans know and love, here are the key speakers that have been revealed so far.

2026 Commencement Speaker at Providence College

Providence College was the first to announce their key speaker this graduation season, revealing former New England Patriots special teams captain, Matthew Slater, would speak at the May 17, 2026 ceremony.

Slater, widely considered one of the greatest gunners of all time, was part of three Super Bowl winning Patriots teams and was selected for the Pro Bowl ten times.

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Presumably his speech will be about working hard to attain goals such as these, though you never know where football players will take their graduation speeches.

2026 Commencement Speaker at New England Institute of Technology

Though a Hollywood actress may seem like an unexpected choice for a commencement speaker at a technology school, Ashley Judd has been announced as the one to deliver NEIT's 2026 commencement address.

Judd is set to speak at the May 3, 2026 ceremony taking place at Amica Mutual Pavilion and will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Human Letters to recognize her work improving life for others.

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In addition to her time speaking to NEIT graduates, Judd will be spending lots of time speaking to Harvard students next fall when she joins the university staff. Judd will be the Leader in Residence for the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard's Kennedy School.

More Rhode Island Graduation Speakers Yet to Be Revealed

Most other colleges and universities have announced alumni speakers or student speakers for their commencement ceremonies this May. No other celebrity key speakers have been revealed yet.