Anna Faris and Bruce Harrell SU Commencement Speakers

Actress, author and podcaster Anna Faris will speak at this year’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, while Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell will speak at the graduate ceremony, Monday, June 16 at Climate Pledge Arena.

“We look forward to hearing from and honoring Ms. Faris and Mayor Harrell, two individuals whose lives and work align with Seattle University’s Jesuit educational mission,” Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver says. “I know they will contribute to what promises to be a joyful day for our graduates and their families.”

Faris, a graduate of Edmonds-Woodway High School and the University of Washington, has been lauded as one of her generation’s most talented actresses. She is renowned for her comedic and dramatic performances in such productions as the Scary Movie franchise, Lost in Translation, Brokeback Mountain, Just Friends, Smiley Face and The House Bunny, as well as TV shows Mom and Friends. She stars in the upcoming Spa Weekend. Faris’ 2017 memoir, Unqualified, was a New York Times bestseller. She is also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting organizations such as the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth, where she has served on the board, and is a major supporter of the Pacific Northwest Research Institute.

Elected in 2021, Mayor Harrell’s priorities include driving innovation, addressing the city’s homelessness crisis and ensuring public safety for all communities. A guiding principle of his mayorship has been One Seattle—creating a city that embraces differences and celebrates commonality. Born and raised in Seattle, Mayor Harrell is the city’s first Asian American and biracial mayor and its second Black mayor. A Garfield High School valedictorian, he attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, earning a BA in political science and later a juris doctor from the UW Law School. He previously served on the Seattle City Council for many years, including multiple terms as president, as well as interim mayor.

Learn more about Seattle University’s Commencement.