Columbia College Chicago has announced a roster of Emmy-, Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning artists and creative industry leaders as its 2016 commencement ceremony keynote speakers and honorary degree recipients on May 14-15.
They are:
Tracy K. Smith: The author of the critically acclaimed memoir Ordinary Light, a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in Nonfiction, will be honored at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14.
Jane Lynch: The Chicago-raised actress ( and out lesbian ) will be honored at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. She is the two-time Emmy winning host of Hollywood Game Night, and is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on Glee.
Diane Warren: An eight-time Oscar nominee and Grammy Award winner, Warren will be honored at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Her most recent Oscar nomination is for the original song "Til It Happens To You," which Lady Gaga performed at this year's Academy Awards.
Paul Garnes: Garnes will be honored at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. He has served as producer, line producer and/or production manager on films and television series for Disney, Dreamworks, HBO, ABC, NBC, BET, Sony/Screen Gems, Magnolia Films and Paramount Pictures. In 2014, Garnes was executive producer of the film Selma.
Carlos Tortolero: Tortolero will be honored at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 He is the founder and president of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago; the museum opened in 1987.
For more information on the 2016 Columbia College Chicago commencement ceremonies, and for a copy of the commencement guide, visit Colum.edu/commencement .