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Actor Wendell Pierce pulls out as Rutgers’ commencement speaker

By Shelia Poole
May 16, 2016

Actor Wendell Pierce has pulled out as Rutgers University-Newark’s commencement speaker.

The New Jersey institution announced on its website that it was informed Monday morning “in order to assure that commencement 2016 will be a celebration of the accomplishments of its students free of distractions, he (Pierce) is declining to join RU-N and consequently must decline the conferral of an honorary degree.”

The actor, who is in town shooting "One Last Thing," was arrested in Atlanta after a fight at the Atlanta Loews Hotel. Pierce was charged with simple battery and released on $1,000 bail.

He played key roles in “The Wire”, “Treme” and plays Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in “Confirmation.” He has also built a reputation as a philanthropist, particularly helping his native New Orleans after Katrina.

Rutgers went on to say that award-winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor and producer Soledad O’Brien will address the Class of 2016.

About the Author

Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.

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