Voorhees College will hold its 118th commencement convocation on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at the Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resources Center. The speaker for commencement will be award-winning actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover.
Glover, whose performance career spans more than 30 years, has portrayed a myriad of popular roles such as the blockbuster “Lethal Weapon” franchise in film, to the hit television show such as “ER.” He has distinguished himself as one of his generation’s most consummate actors.
“We are honored to have Mr. Glover as our commencement speaker,” said President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. His passion for education and his many ongoing humanitarian efforts will be an inspiration for our students.”
Glover’s performances in such classic motion pictures as “The Color Purple,” “Witness,” and “Places in the Heart,” have not only showcased his talent and versatility but have also brought him critical and audience acclaim. Honored with awards from the NAACP, BET and SAG, Glover has also received several Emmy nominations for his work in such television hits as “Lonesome Dove.”
Off-screen, Glover has gained respect for his wide-reaching community activism and philanthropic efforts. Internationally, Glover has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, focusing on issues of poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. He currently serves as UNICEF Ambassador.
Glover is a sought after public speaker, delivering inspiring addresses and moving performances on social justice, diversity, activism and global citizenship to audiences of various sizes at college campuses, business conventions and annual conferences. Drawing from expertise, Glover is able to contextualize contemporary issues and offer practical wisdom to new generations on building peace, unity and democracy across racial, ethnic and gender lines.
In 2005, Glover co-founded NY based Louverture Films to develop and produce films of historical relevance, social purpose, commercial value and artistic integrity.
Glover is a native of San Francisco, Calif. and a devoted father and grandfather. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University and was trained at the Black Actors workshop of the American Conservatory Theatre.
This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Teesa Brunson, communications director, at 803-780-1194 or at tbrunson@voorhees.edu.