Seven-time Emmy Award winner Alan Alda addressed more than 3,000 graduates at Carnegie Mellon University's 118th Commencement Ceremony Sunday.
Alda, who is best known for his roles as Hawkeye Pierce in the TV series "M*A*S*H," and as Arnold Vinick in "The West Wing," delivered the keynote address and received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree for his exemplification of CMU’s interdisciplinary strengths in the arts and sciences.
He also had another reason to be in attendance: Alda’s grandson was among the graduates.
“Expect the unexpected bumps,” Alda said during his keynote address. “It’s a good principle to live by.”
CMU student Brooke Kuei, who graduated with bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in professional writing Sunday, also spoke during the ceremony, reflecting on her time spent at the university and the uncertainty of what the future holds.
“When I pictured this day four years ago, this isn’t what I thought it would look like,” she said. “I thought I’d be so ready to get out of here … but instead, I’m scared.”
Kuei will attend Penn State University in the fall to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering and to advance her research in energy science.
More than 3,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were distributed.
