SCAD Announces Jon Batiste as 2025 Commencement Speaker
Award-Winning Musician, Composer, and Artist to Speak and Perform at Savannah and Atlanta Ceremonies May 30–31
ATLANTA and SAVANNAH, GA – May 22, 2025 – The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is delighted to announce Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste as the university's 2025 commencement speaker at its locations in Savannah and Atlanta. Batiste will address the largest class in university history, consisting of more than 4,200 graduates, and perform live for students, their families, and honored guests. These SCAD graduates represent more than 40 top-ranked programs, including animation, fashion, film and television, interior design, and user experience design.
"I'm honored to speak and perform at SCAD's commencement ceremonies in both Atlanta and Savannah," Batiste said. "It's a gift to connect with and inspire the next generation of creative artists from this globally renowned university."
SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace will confer degrees to SCAD Savannah and SCADnow graduates on Friday, May 30, at the Savannah Convention Center. The Presidential Conferment of Degrees for SCAD Atlanta graduates will take place on Saturday, May 31, at the Gateway Center Arena. President Wallace will also confer an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Batiste.
Talented students from various programs will deliver inspiring speeches and receive recognition from fellow students, family, faculty, staff, and acclaimed industry leaders.
Since 1978, the university’s mission has been to prepare talented students for creative professions. Today, SCAD’s success rate is unmatched. A 2024 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation.
About Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste is a force of nature and a powerhouse of creativity and connection. An Academy Award and seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist, he blends music, storytelling, and activism to inspire and unite. His electrifying talks go beyond words; they are experiences that invite audiences to embrace creativity, mindfulness, and the power of community.
Batiste’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. His 2021 album We Are made Grammy history with 11 nominations across seven genres and won five awards, including Album of the Year. His work on Pixar’s Soul earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA. For seven years, he infused millions of homes with his signature energy and warmth as the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Whether exploring presence, justice, or music’s ability to heal and break barriers, Batiste energizes and prepares audiences to create a lasting impact.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 110 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university’s renowned research lab and prototype generator.
SCAD also has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. According to a 2024 study, 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.
Media Contacts:
Savannah
Michelle Gavin
SCAD Executive Director of Communication
mgavin@scad.edu
Atlanta
Wendy Gardner
SCAD Senior Director of Public Relations
wgardner@scad.edu