Actress and producer Regina Hall, FCRH ’92, is set to deliver the commencement address to the Fordham University Class of 2025 on May 17 and will receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts at the ceremony.
Hall attended Fordham University from 1988 to 1992, and according to University Spokesperson Bob Howe, Hall “wasn’t a drama student in college.”
Instead, she spent her time at Fordham studying English, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts during her own commencement ceremony on Edwards Parade on a rainy Saturday. John Brademas, Ph.D., former congressman and president emeritus of New York University, delivered the commencement address during the ceremony Hall attended on May 16, 1992, just one day under 33 years before Hall would appear on the same lawn to deliver her own.
Coincidentally, Hall went on to study journalism at New York University and was completing her first semester when her father died. She credits this tragedy for sparking her interest in pursuing acting.
“I realized how brief it can be and how suddenly it can change,” Hall shared in an interview with People. “The thing about feeling broken is that it forces you to be open — you feel like you don’t have much so you don’t overthink everything.”
Despite knowing her path had changed, Hall finished school and earned her master’s degree in 1997, “just as her dad wanted for her.”
Immediately after graduating in 1997, Hall appeared in one episode of “New York Undercover” as a bit part actor, and continued to play smaller roles through the year 2000. She caught her big break as the decade turned, landing a role as a principal actor in “Scary Movie,” a comedy spoof of major horror movies, specifically “Scream.”
She reprised her role as Brenda for three of the four “Scary Movie” sequels. In 2017, Hall provided comedy as Ryan Pierce in “Girls Trip.” A year later, Hall played a heavily influential role in the movie adaptation of “The Hate U Give,” appearing as Lisa Carter, the main character’s mother.
Hall has also been a producer on several of her acting projects, such as a series of episodes of “Black Monday,” in addition to films such as “Master” (2022) and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” (2022).
Howe cited her inspiring work and multiple accolades, commending her performances as part of the reason why the university chose Hall to give this year’s commencement address.
“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,” Howe said.
Howe confirmed that it is common for the university to award honorary doctorates.
“It’s typical for Fordham, and for most universities. Fordham typically confers honorary degrees upon the Commencement speaker each year, along with several other individuals, all for conspicuous achievement in their field and/or service to the University,” Howe said.
Hall is set to receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from the university, which is “generally awarded for significant contributions to society,” according to the National Institute of Health.
President Tania Tetlow also commented on Hall’s appointment as commencement speaker.
“Regina is an inspiring role model who will show our graduates what it looks like to live out our Jesuit values,” Tetlow said. “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.”
