On Monday, March 31 the University announced that American actress Sydney Sweeney would be delivering the Class of 2026 commencement speech.
Sweeney has starred in a variety of prominent films, first gaining recognition for her work in Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid's Tale and Sharp Objects, and then breaking out in 2019 for her role as Cassie Howard in the hit HBO Drama series Euphoria. She has also acted in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Madame Webb and Immaculate and has garnered acclaim for her roles in Christy, The Housemaid and Anyone But You. In addition to her career in acting, Sweeney has also featured in advertising campaigns of several fashion brands, including American Eagle.
When interviewed by the Hopkins Hub, President Ronald J. Daniels was emphatic on why Sweeney was chosen, emphasizing her extensive knowledge of biology, acting and political science.
“Sydney Sweeney really knows so much about jeans — I mean, genes. Considering this institution’s extensive legacy of medical advancement, having such a knowledgeable speaker truly will help our graduating students. Her acting background will also keep both the graduates and parents enthralled during the speech,” remarked Daniels.
Sweeney’s selection garnered mixed reactions among the students. One student, an anonymous senior accompanied by an entourage of flies, was very excited upon finding out about the selection.
“She’s got such a large… personality, and I’m a big fan of the Dr. Squatch soap infused with her bathwater. It’s the only thing that can get me to do my yearly shower.”
Other students were not so excited. In a yellowed scroll delivered by carrier pigeon right to the doorstep of The News-Letter, another student wrote about their deep dissatisfaction with the selection.
"As a pre-med who sacrificed my GPA, social life and will to live for the past four years, I find it deeply troubling that our commencement speaker's most notable scientific contribution is a collagen-infused bubble bath. I have dissected cadavers. I have memorized the Krebs cycle at 3 a.m. while crying into a Celsius. The least Hopkins could do is get me Gregory House,” they said.
The News-Letter reached out to Sweeney for a comment, but her publicist replied: "Her jeans are blue, just like the Hopkins Jays." The News-Letter also received a 25%-off coupon for her bathwater.
Sweeney will be receiving an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences degree at the commencement address, which will take place on May 21, 2026.
