Queen Latifah, Anita Hill to speak at Rutgers ceremonies

NEWARK, N.J. – Queen Latifah and Anita Hill will give the commencement speeches at two Rutgers University campuses this year.

But the speaker for the school’s main campus in New Brunswick has not yet been selected.

School officials announced Wednesday that Latifah, a Newark native who became an actress, hip-hop icon and social activist, will speak May 14 during the Rutgers-Newark ceremony. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Hill is the law professor who brought the concept of sexual harassment to national consciousness in 1991 when she testified during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas. She will speak May 17 to graduates at Rutgers-Camden and will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

School officials say both women were selected, in part, because they are strong female role models. Neither one will receive a fee for speaking.