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In a ceremony filled with hope and inspiration, three-time Emmy winner Uzo Aduba delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Aduba, renowned for her role in Orange is the New Black, shared her wisdom and experiences with the students from the nation’s fourth-ranked film school.
“Uzo Aduba is one of the exceptional talents of our time,” said Stephen Galloway, dean of Dodge College. “She represents everything we most cherish at Dodge College: a fierce intelligence, originality, and the highest commitment to excellence.”
In her speech, Aduba encouraged the graduates to embrace their unique identities and to hold onto their creative passions:
“The pieces of you, the ones you brought from home, from your country, your hometown, your family, the parts of you that make you truly you. I encourage you to keep those things. Hold on to them tightly. Your voice. Who you are as a creative. Who you are as a filmmaker matters.”
She emphasized the importance of perseverance and self-belief in the face of challenges:
“Whatever it was that sparked your passion, hold on to them tightly especially in the face of adversity. Your talent, your passion, and your determination are your greatest assets. Remember that. And no one can take them away from you. You too, have something to say. And when the trail becomes bumpy and you find yourself coming up against doubt, you look to those who know you love you and have been part of your story from the first page and not the last.”
Aduba also praised Dodge College’s new mentorship initiatives, highlighting their significance in fostering a supportive community:
“I believe that each of us has a responsibility to pave the way for the next generation of storytellers to open doors, break down barriers, and create opportunities for those who may not have had the same advantages or privileges that we’ve had. One of the most powerful ways we can do that is by starting our own communities and our own support networks right here in college and beyond.”
The Dodge Insider Mentorship Program, launched in Fall 2023, pairs 50 sophomores and juniors with incoming freshmen, with plans to expand it so that every freshman is assigned a mentor over the next two years.
This initiative is part of Dodge College’s commitment to ensuring students from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported.
Emmy-winning actor, writer, and director Bill Hader delivered the keynote speech on Friday, May 17, where he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of the Arts degree.
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About Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from 123 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Students at Chapman learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur fellows, published authors and Academy Award winners. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. The university features the No. 4 film school and No. 60 business school in the U.S. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.
Media Contact:
Molly Thrasher. Director of Public Relations | thrasher@chapman.edu | Mobile: 657-561-4359
Carly Murphy, Public Relations Coordinator | carmurphy@chapman.edu| Desk: 714-289-3196 | Mobile: 714-497-9683
