HANOVER, N.H. (WCAX) – Dartmouth College took to social media to name its commencement speaker for the Class of 2024. And the announcement was an ace.
There is no doubt the graduation speaker on the Green at Dartmouth College this June is very comfortable on grass.
Dartmouth President Sian Beilock really got into the act when it came to announcing the college’s upcoming commencement speaker, eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer. The tongue-in-cheek skit centered around making sure the grass would be green.
“We wanted to make a splash and do something fun,” said Jana Barnello of Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth alum Jake Tapper also turned on the acting skills for the video, which, just hours after being posted on social media, had been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
It will be Beilock’s first commencement at the college. Engaging with students has been a priority during her first year on campus.
“They use technology, they grew up with technology,” Barnello said. “This is a way to meet them where they are and give them some content that can take some stress off their busy everyday lives.”
Students like freshman Kyle Negomir.
“He’s the picture of like consummate professionalism,” Negomir said.
He says he appreciates Federer for his actions both on and off the tennis court.
“Probably one of the more inspiring people of our generation,” Negomir said. “I think it is cool how he used he platform to bring up so many communities.”
“I am so excited and honor to be your commencement speaker,” Federer says in the school’s announcement.
In addition to being a world number one player, the tennis star is also known for his philanthropy.
Overcoming disappointment and adversity is one topic Dartmouth Men’s Tennis Coach Justin DeSanto says Federer will likely touch on.
“He has really talked about how he come to be way more composed and not have those outbursts and I think that is going to come through, too, in his speech,” DeSanto said.
But will the Green be ready? March’s snowfall is delaying the grounds crew from going to work on the Green. However, there is still plenty of time between now and the June 9 commencement.