PHOTOS: Tyler Perry addresses Emory graduates

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PHOTOS: Tyler Perry addresses Emory graduates

Georgia-based producer and director Tyler Perry addressed the crowd during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement and received the honorary doctor of letters degree on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Producer, director, entertainment, and entrepreneur Tyler Perry addressed the crowd during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement and received the honorary doctor of letters degree on Monday, May 9, 2022. Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Georgia-based producer and director Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement and received the honorary doctor of letters degree on Monday, May 9, 2022. Fifteen thousand people were expected to attend. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Georgia-based producer and director Tyler Perry get congratulated by Emory’s president, Gregory L. Fenves, after receiving the honorary doctor in letters during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Doctor of Nursing Practice student Julie Johnson gets ready for Emory’s graduation ceremony. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Jared Feuer (right) helps Jefferey Javin put the band around his neck moments before the start of the ceremony during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Members of the faculty walked towards their seats at the beginning of the ceremony during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Arts and Science student Jasmine Lin shows a message on her hat as students take place at the start of the ceremony during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Fifteen thousand people were expected to attend. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Suchanya Trakarnsakdikul smiles before graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Andrew Johnson takes a photo of Danielle Mitchel and Michelle He, as they prepare to march the procession of the ceremony during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

(L-R) Nursing students Ashley Powell and Angelique Grace Gomez listen during Emory’s graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

(L-R) Tyler Chang and Sunny Patel examine their caps before graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Student from the Bussiness School Katalia Alexander had a message on her hat before the beginning of the ceremony during the Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

President of the Government Student Association Rachel Ding addresses the crowd with her speech during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates obtain the Honorary Doctor of Laws during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com)

Angelique Grace Gomez’s cap says “Continue the dream” in Tagalog. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

A student walks in the quadrangle during Emory’s graduation ceremony. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

A student wears a decorated cap at Emory’s graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Rehan Sheikh (center) stands with his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

An audience member surveys the quadrangle during Emory’s graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Emory students walk toward their seats during the graduation processional. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Emory students and staff arrange themselves before graduation. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Emory alumna Barbara Seligman displays a medal for alumni who graduated 50 years ago. Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur Tyler Perry was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Students cheer during Tyler Perry’s speech. The Georgia-based entertainment entrepreneur was the keynote speaker for Emory University’s 2022 spring commencement, the university’s 177th, on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

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Georgia-based producer and director Tyler Perry addressed the crowd during Emory University’s 2022 Commencement and received the honorary doctor of letters degree on Monday, May 9, 2022. 15,000 people were expected to attend. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

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