Lance Reddick

The University of Rochester will celebrate all members of the Class of 2022 during a University-wide, in-person ceremony on Friday, May 13, in Fauver Stadium in the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on River Campus. In-demand actor Lance Reddick, who studied classical composition at the Eastman School of Music, and who is well known for roles in such series as The Wire on HBO, and Amazon’s Bosch, will deliver the 2022 commencement address.

The University Commencement ceremony—which will mark the conferral of academic degrees for both undergraduates and graduate students—will kick off a weekend of celebratory events for graduates, their families and friends, faculty, and staff.

“We’re delighted to welcome such an accomplished individual and talented actor as Lance Reddick back to Rochester to deliver the commencement address on May 13 as we recognize all of our graduates in-person and as one University,” said University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “It’s always special when a speaker has a connection to the University as Lance does, and I know that so many of our graduating seniors wished for him to deliver the 2022 address.”

“This will truly be a wonderful occasion for graduates to come together with family and friends to celebrate. After another challenging year in the midst of the pandemic, I think we can all use some celebration in our lives, and I very much look forward to the weekend and Lance’s address.”

After studying at the Eastman School, Reddick moved to Boston where he explored a career as a contemporary musician and started a family. He then decided to pursue acting and enrolled at the Yale School of Drama where he received a master’s degree. Reddick came into acting prominence beginning with the memorable role of Lt. Cedric Daniels on the critically acclaimed The Wire. He also starred as John Basil on HBO’s seminal drama Oz. He is currently in production on the Netflix film Shirley starring opposite Regina King, which tells the story of trailblazing political icon Shirley Chisholm (King), the first Black Congresswoman and the first Black woman to run for president of the U.S. He will soon star as Albert Wesker in Netflix’s Resident Evil, debuting this July.

In the feature-world, Reddick is known for the John Wick films, and will reprise his role as Charon in John Wick: Chapter 4 in March 2023. Additionally, Reddick recently provided voice acting for the newly released popular video game, “Horizon Forbidden West,” and is known for his voice work in “Destiny 2.”

In addition to acting, he is also a television and film producer and musician. A native of Baltimore, Reddick writes and speaks about the social, cultural and economic injustices afflicting people of color in his hometown and broadly throughout the country, and advocates for profound solutions to end racial inequalities.

The University Commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, in Fauver Stadium. Each graduate is being provided with a limited number of tickets to the ceremony to share with family and friends, and it will also be live-streamed for those who cannot attend. The program will include processions of students, faculty representatives and a platform party of guests and dignitaries. Speakers will include Reddick, President Mangelsdorf, representatives of the University’s Board of Trustees and our alumni community, and representatives from both undergraduate and graduate students. While President Mangelsdorf will confer degrees during the ceremony, graduates will receive their diplomas and be personally recognized as they walk the stage at individual diploma ceremonies conducted by their respective schools and academic departments, which begin on Saturday, May 14, and run through Sunday, May 15.