Writer, producer and actor Aaron Sorkin is the 2012 commencement speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony, university officials announced Thursday.

Sorkin will join the ranks of past commencement speakers such as Vice President Joseph Biden Jr., ABC News journalist Bob Woodruff and singer/songwriter Billy Joel.

Sorkin graduated from Syracuse University in 1983 with a BFA in musical theater. He is best known for writing movies such as ‘The Social Network,’ ‘The American President,’ ‘The Rock’ and ‘Excess Baggage.’ In 1989, he received the Outer Critics Circle award for Outstanding American Playwright for the writing stage version of ‘A Few Good Men.’Sorkin previously worked on the Golden Globe-nominated TV show, ‘The West Wing.’

In 2006, Sorkin partnered with the College of Visual and Performing Arts and launched the Sorkin in Los Angeles Learning Practicum, a weeklong initiative where students meet with actors, writers, talent agents, directors and producers. Students also participate in workshops and attend live theater performances, among other activities.

In recent years, university officials were criticized for their choice in commencement speaker, specifically JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO, Jamie Dimon. Some students also expressed disappointment in last year’s commencement speaker, scientist J. Craig Venter.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Carrier Dome. Online suggestions are currently being taken for the 2013 commencement ceremony.

snbouvia@syr.edu

Published on March 7, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephanie: snbouvia@syr.edu | @snbouvia