“A true master of his craft, Tom Hanks has brought to life some of the screen’s most compelling, beloved and iconic characters,” Harvard President Larry Bacow said in an official statement.
“For five decades, he has entertained, enlightened, and befriended us. He has made us laugh, cry, question, and think. He has contributed to our national culture and expanded our ability to appreciate previously unexamined stories. I hope looking forward to his speech in May,” he adds in the letter.
In recent years, celebrities and relevant figures such as Steven Spielberg, Ruth Simmons and legislator John Lewis have joined as participants in these speeches. These collaborations have generated a good impact among students, graduates, families and the university community, which is why they have invited Tom Hanks.