The award-winning author will become the first black woman to deliver the address of the University of Pennsylvania commencement Speech on Monday, 18 May.
University of Pennsylvania’s vice president and secretary, Medha Narvekar made the announcement.
The University President, Amy Gutmann said: “We are honored to bestow our highest degree on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and have her address our graduates at Penn’s 264th Commencement. Her compelling narratives and absolutely fascinating commentary on complex cultural issues elevate the power of the individual voice.”
At the commencement ceremony, Adichie will also receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Other honorees include Anthony M. Kennedy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Jill Lepore, Stanley A. Plotkin, Sister Mary Scullion, Gregg L. Semenza, and Henry Threadgill.
Julie Beren Platt, Penn trustee and chair of the Trustee Honorary Degrees Committee said that: “It will be our pleasure to welcome renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as our 2020 Commencement speaker and to celebrate the contributions of all of our extraordinary honorees.
“Their exceptional achievements encompass world-changing discovery, creativity, scholarship, the guardianship of justice, and compassionate service to others. We are privileged to honor them as we celebrate Commencement and our wonderful Class of 2020.”
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has published three award-winning novels, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah. Her TED talk, We Should All Be Feminists sparked a worldwide talk on feminism and inspired a song by Beyonce.
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