Regina Hall: Who is the 2025 Commencement Speaker?
This year’s commencement speaker is making her return to Fordham University after graduating in 1992. Not only will Regina Hall, FCRH ’92, address the Fordham University Class of 2025 on May 17, but she will also receive another degree from the university: an honorary doctorate of fine arts.
Hall started her higher education at Fordham in 1988, studying English at Fordham College at Rose Hill. After four years of studying at the Bronx campus, Hall received a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her graduation, former congressman John Brademas, Ph.D. delivered the commencement address on Edwards Parade, the same lawn where Hall would share her own address 33 years later.
Following her time at Fordham, Hall stayed in New York City to study journalism at New York University (NYU). However, during her first semester, her father died, changing the trajectory of her career. Hall remained at NYU to finish her master’s degree in journalism as her father wished, before pursuing her true passion: acting.
During the late 1990s, Hall appeared in many projects as a bit part actor, playing roles involving minimal dialogue and screen time. But in 2000, Hall caught her big acting break playing the main character Brenda in a spoof of the horror movie “Scream,” named “Scary Movie.” Hall reprised her role in three of the current four sequels, all spoofs of other classic horror movies.
Hall is also known for her role as Ryan Pierce in the 2017 comedy movie “Girls Trip,” which consists of four friends turning a work excursion into the titular girls’ trip. Hall is set to reprise this role as “Girls Trip 2” is currently in pre-production. Only a year later, Hall took a career turn from comedy to acting in the movie adaptation of “The Hate U Give,” a film about racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States. Hall played the mother to high schooler Starr Carter played by Amandla Stenberg, as she examines how stereotypes are used against people of color to justify bigotry within society. Hall’s performance and how she helped bring author Angie Thomas’ impactful and relevant story to life remained with viewers even after the film’s conclusion.
Alongside her acting roles, Hall also has experience in producing. She not only starred in the 2019 film “Little,” but also executive-produced the project. In 2022, Hall helped produce “Master” and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” Her most recent producing job was on the 2023 film “Gonzo Girl.”
When asked why Hall was chosen to be the commencement speaker for 2025, Associate Vice President for Media and Public Relations Bob Howe noted her impact on society and her work ethic. “She’s got range in acting … look at her wildly different roles in ‘Think Like a Man’ and ‘The Hate U Give.’ She’s received ten awards, many from film critics (she was the first Black woman to win the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress), and been nominated for more than 30 others. She’s the kind of smart, talented, and broadly educated graduate we want to celebrate,” he said.
University President Tania Tetlow also commented on Hall appearing to address the class of 2025. “Regina is an inspiring role model who will show our graduates what it looks like to live out our Jesuit values. Her remarkable talent, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to justice make her the ideal speaker for our commencement ceremony. We’re thrilled to honor her,” she said.
As has been tradition for many commencement speakers, the university will award Hall a Doctor of Humane Letters for her influence on society.
