Star Charlie Day ’98 to deliver undergraduate commencement keynote address

Actor, producer and screenwriter Charlie Day, a 1998 graduate of Merrimack College, will deliver the keynote address at Merrimack's 64th undergraduate commencement ceremony.

“Charlie Day is a tremendous success story and a proud alumnus,” said Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D., president of Merrimack. “He has been very supportive of the college, and we’re sure he will both enlighten and entertain our graduating seniors and their families.”

The college will present diplomas to 520 seniors during the undergraduate ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 18 in the Lawler Arena. Honors senior Kennedy Ndamba will deliver the student commencement address.

Philanthropic entrepreneur Rachael Chong will deliver the keynote at a ceremony for 175 master’s students, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 in the Athletics Complex. Jade Scarpa, who will receiver her master’s degree in education, has been named by the Graduate Student Senate as the first-ever graduate student commencement speaker.

Day majored in fine arts at Merrimack and participated in the OnStagers dramatic society. He co-created and stars in the FXX series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and appeared in several major films, including “Pacific Rim,” “Horrible Bosses” and “Monsters University.”

Merrimack will confer honorary doctorates on Day, on retiring trustees Patrick Maraghy and Rev. Anthony “Mickey” Genovese, and on Timothy Murphy, who is stepping down as trustee chairman but will remain on the board, during the undergraduate ceremony.

At the ceremony for graduate students, an honorary degree will be conferred on Chong, founder and CEO of Catchafire.

“Rachael Chong’s outstanding work connecting professionals with social-justice organizations is making our world a better place, and our community more cohesive, every day,” said President Hopey. “All our honorees have proven themselves both successful and highly ethical leaders in their fields, truly embodying Merrimack’s core values.

 

Related news:

The Boston Globe
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ star Charlie Day to give keynote address at Merrimack College

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Related News

Band Ireland Story Photo 1

Merrimack College Marching Band Makes Its International Debut

 |
By: Michael Cronin
The band performed at various locations throughout Belfast, Northern Ireland, as part of Merrimack College’s participation in the 2024 Friendship Four.
Headshot of Dr. Laura Moore Pruett

VPA’s Dr. Laura Moore Pruett Releases New Book

 |
By: Madison Doherty
After many years of hard work and collaboration, Dr. Laura Moore Pruett celebrates the release of her new book!
Athletic Training Panelists

Tess Abboud Draft 1

 |
Five experienced athletic trainers, including four alumni from Merrimack’s Master of Athletic Training, visit campus for a panel discussion, sharing post graduate experiences and networking advice with current and prospective students.