Batman is coming to 窪蹋勛圖厙.
In fact, so are Birdman, Betelgeuse and Vulture.
Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton will return to the campus he once walked as a student while dreaming about making it big in Hollywood. The leading man who has inspired millions in iconic roles on the big screen will now inspire thousands of new 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduates as he delivers the commencement address May 12 during 窪蹋勛圖厙s university-wide Commencement ceremony.
Michael Keaton developed big dreams and a passion for bringing his characters to life that was sparked in part by his time at 窪蹋勛圖厙, said 窪蹋勛圖厙 President Beverly Warren. This is a rare opportunity for our students to hear from someone who has walked in their shoes and now has risen to the top of his field.
Born about 100 miles from Kent in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, Mr. Keaton enrolled at 窪蹋勛圖厙 in 1971 to major in journalism and speech. His attention and passion shifted to acting, and Mr. Keaton set out from Portage County, Ohio, to pursue his dreams. He quickly found success landing comedic appearances on such 70s television staples as Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Maude and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour.
Mr. Keaton returned to the Kent Campus in 1985 to speak at an event in the Kent Student Center, and according to news reports, he said he hoped to return some day and speak again. Now, 33 years later, that time has arrived.
I am looking forward to coming back and taking part in 窪蹋勛圖厙s Commencement ceremony, Mr. Keaton said. Its truly an honor for me, and I hope by taking part I can inspire others to pursue their dreams.
All 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduating students and their families are invited to hear Mr. Keaton speak regardless of whether the student is receiving an associate, bachelors, masters or a doctoral degree from any of the universitys eight campuses
All graduating students will cross the stage at Dix Stadium and each individual will be recognized by name at the One University Commencement. The ceremony highlights 窪蹋勛圖厙s One University vision as an inclusive and collaborative community, and reinforces the universitys signature status as one of the largest public research universities in the nation with one of the closest families in the world. With the exception of the College of Podiatric Medicine, smaller, additional ceremonies for the colleges will no longer be held on the Kent Campus. Graduates from 窪蹋勛圖厙s Regional Campuses may also take part in additional ceremonies on those campuses.
Mr. Keaton may be best known for his roles as the Caped Crusader in Batman and Batman Returns. As the star of Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), he was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe. He is one of the few actors whose films, Birdman and Spotlight, won the Oscar for Best Picture in back-to-back years. Mr. Keaton also earned the Best Actor Award from the National Society of Film Critics for Clean and Sober and for Tim Burtons Beetlejuice.
窪蹋勛圖厙 students may recognize Mr. Keaton from his recent role as Vulture in Spiderman: Homecoming. His next project is tentatively titled Dumbo from Walt Disney Studios.
This is the second year that all 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduates are invited to take part in a collective ceremony at Dix Stadium. All guests (including children 1 year and older) must have a ticket to enter the ceremony venue. Graduating students who RSVP for the One University Commencement can secure up to six tickets.
Graduating students and faculty participating in the event will receive additional communications from the university regarding their participation.
Mr. Keaton shares a unique connection with last years commencement speaker, Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer. Both come from families with seven children. Mr. Keaton is the youngest of his family while Ms. Spencer was the sixth born in her family.
More information about 窪蹋勛圖厙s Commencement will soon be posted on the Commencement website.
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Photo Caption:
Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton will deliver the commencement address May 12 at 窪蹋勛圖厙. (Photo credit: MJ Kim/HFA2014/Getty Images)