Quinta Brunson, the Emmy Award-winning actress and Philadelphia native, has been tapped to deliver the commencement speech at Temple University's 137th graduation ceremony on May 8. The "Abbott Elementary" creator and star is also set to receive an honorary degree from the institution and the 2024 Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award.
Giving back to her alma mater where she once cut her teeth on comedy in "Temple Smash," Brunson's return as a speaker represents a full-circle moment. After attending Temple's Klein College of Media and Communication for a year, Brunson made the bold move to Southern California to seek her fortune in the laugh-laden hills of Hollywood. According to CBS News Philadelphia, Temple President Richard M. Englert praised Brunson, saying, "We are thrilled to recognize Quinta Brunson for her remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to her craft." Englert added that her "talent, authenticity, and trailblazing spirit inspire us all."
Brunson, recognized for making history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations and the second to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, is an inspiration not just for her impressive professional track record, but also for her work highlighting underrepresented voices. This, in itself, is what makes her a suitable choice to address the graduating class of 2024, noted for not their academic prowess but also their resilience in a world that's been anything but predictable.
The commencement ceremony, scheduled at 10 a.m. in the Liacouras Center, will find Brunson sharing insights and experiences from a career that has seen its fair share of highs and challenges. Having been part of the university's own television fabric, the Emmy Award-winner's engagement comes in anticipation of moments defined by emotional crescendos and earnest advice. "I am simply honored," Brunson said in a statement obtained by NBC Philadelphia.
The evening before the graduation cap toss, Brunson will be presented with the Lew Klein Excellence in the Media Award, a tribute to her contribution to the industry. As reported by 6abc, the award recognizes the actress's extensive work that has continuously sought to empower those voices often left backstage in the narrative of mainstream media.
