LeVar Burton, who has portrayed the Black experience from slavery to the stars, serenaded Howard University graduates with “Butterfly in the Sky,” the iconic “Reading Rainbow” theme song, and hailed them as “living proof of your ancestors’ dreams.”

“Remember that you are descended from some of the most resilient souls in the history of humanity,” Burton said during remarks as the 2025 commencement orator. 

“I cannot believe that I am here, at Howard University, the Mecca, to celebrate with you this most auspicious day,” he added.

Burton likened commencement to a continuation of the African tradition of the rites of passage: "Commencement is a passage. It's a portal between all that has come before it and all that which is yet to come."

This year, Howard graduates represented 44 states and 29 countries. The university awarded an estimated 3,167 degrees across various academic levels — a 13% increase from last year and the largest graduating class in Howard’s history.

In their remarks, Howard President Ben Vinson III and Board of Trustees Chairman Laurence C. Morse framed the Class of 2025’s graduation as part of a sweeping historical cycle. Vinson urged graduates to see themselves as both heirs and architects of a new era. He drew a direct line between the present and the 1920s, when Howard helped fuel the Harlem Renaissance.

Vinson reminded graduates that figures like Alain Locke and Zora Neale Hurston once walked the same paths across the Howard campus that they do today. He said it was a time when Black intellectuals, artists, and visionaries redefined how Black people saw themselves — and demanded that the world do the same. 

“They did not wait for history. They made history. They were catalysts for change,” Vinson said. 

Morse urged graduates to see themselves as part of Howard’s enduring mission to lead with truth, courage, and integrity, and evoked the deep legacy beneath their feet.

“Deeply embedded into this terra firma are the footsteps of past alumni who have trod the Long Walk to end their Howard sojourn and receive their hard-earned, well-deserved Howard degree.”

Burton first became a household name playing Kunta Kinte in “Roots.” At just 19 years old, a theater major at the University of Southern California, he was thrust into the national spotlight with the role.

“My very first day as a professional actor, Cicely Tyson played my mother and Maya Angelou played my grandmother,” he said, still sounding amazed. “I was plucked from the college ranks and found myself in the deep end of the pool filled with heroes and legends. Thank God I didn’t drown.”

He described “Roots” as opening his eyes to “the sheer power of media” and storytelling and credited the landmark series with shifting national consciousness.

“Post-‘Roots,’ it was impossible to even conceptualize slavery without the human cost,” he said.

Burton later starred as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” He may be best known for his decades of dedication to promoting literacy, through hosting the iconic television program “Reading Rainbow” and later the hit podcast “LeVar Burton Reads.” He has received more than 15 honorary degrees and earned major honors including a Peabody Award, a Grammy, and seven NAACP Image Awards.

Howard University, a comprehensive institution, continues to be a national leader in higher education, with 14 schools and colleges across fields such as medicine, law, engineering, architecture, business, communications, fine arts, divinity, nursing, education, and social work. Among the Class of 2025, 15% identify as first-generation college students. In addition, 45% of undergraduate students are Pell Grant recipients, reflecting Howard’s long-standing commitment to access and opportunity for students from low-income backgrounds.

Earlier this year, Howard regained its prestigious Research One (R1) classification, further boosting its standing as a leading research institution. In all, Howard conferred 362 master’s degrees, 470 professional degrees, 92 doctoral degrees, 14 professional certificates, and seven graduate certificates.

For many students, the day marked a personal triumph over obstacles and a stepping stone to greater dreams. 

Serenity Owens, a journalism major from Atlanta, said earning a degree from Howard represented more than just personal success. She said it was also about advancing the larger journey of her family and community.

 “My grandmother wasn’t able to get a proper education growing up in the South during the civil rights era. And now, to have my great-grandfather here watching me walk the stage — it’s really beautiful. I like being part of those bigger steps.”

Communications graduate Robertney Harlan said having Burton as the commencement speaker felt especially meaningful. Harlan noted that Burton had done so much for the Black community and said he was eager to hear the advice Burton would share.

“I grew up watching 'Reading Rainbow,' so seeing him today feels really nostalgic,” Harlan said. “I’m glad he was our speaker for this important day.”

Samson Williams, who earned his MBA and finance degree, said graduating from Howard University held deep personal meaning. He reflected on how uncertain his path once seemed after high school.

“I wasn’t even thinking I could make it at Howard,” Williams said. “Now I’m graduating in four years, and that means a lot to me — especially because I want to give back to my community and help close the racial wealth gap.”