Commencement: News and Events at Sarah Lawrence College

Sarah Lawrence College celebrated its 79th Commencement on Friday, May 23, under a tent on Westlands Lawn. Acclaimed actress and activist Jessica Lange was the keynote speaker, addressing the 310 graduating seniors who received the bachelor’s of arts in liberal arts degree, 125 graduate students receiving their master’s degrees, and their families and other guests—about 2,500 in all. The mother of a graduating senior, Lange is a two-time Academy Award winner with more than 30 performance credits to her name. Also during commencement ceremonies, seniors presented President Karen Lawrence a check for $168,862 as the senior class gift. Intended for scholarships for rising Sarah Lawrence seniors who follow, the class gift was the largest of its kind in 10 years.

Read remarks from Commencement:

• Commencement Address: President Karen R. Lawrence
• Keynote Address: Jessica Lange
• Remarks: President of the Alumnae/i Board 
• Remarks: Senior Class Co-Presidents
• Remarks: Graduate Student Representative