Commencement Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Continuing with a long-standing tradition, the senior class has chosen writer and comedian Jon Lovett as the keynote speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony.

Jon Lovett is the Co-Creator and Head Writer of the NBC sitcom, “1600 Penn”. Prior to this, Jon spent three years as a speechwriter for President Barack Obama during a dynamic and tumultuous time in our history, allowing for a unique perspective on politics, humor, communications, and the absurd way things really work in our nation’s capital.

During his tenure at the White House, Jon drafted speeches on a complete range of public policy issues. He also helped craft the jokes and materials used by the President at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, where the President pokes fun at Washington, the press, and himself. Before serving in the White House, Jon was chief speechwriter to then-Senator Hillary Clinton, working both on her presidential campaign and in her Senate office.

Jon is a 2004 graduate of Williams College where he earned a degree in math.

Senior Class Speaker

Sarah Maibach has been selected as the Senior Class Speaker. Sarah is from Menlo Park and majors in Human Biology and minors in Asian Studies.

Honored Guest and Student Marshal

Moya Carter, Dean of Students, has been chosen as the Honored Guest.

Brinda Sarathy, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, has been chosen as the student marshal.

It is a unique tradition at Pitzer that each year graduating seniors select a member of the staff to be their honored guest and a member of the faculty to be their student marshal for the commencement ceremony.  The Honored Guest and Student Marshal are chosen by the graduating class. The seniors feel that Moya and Professor Sarathy should both be recognized for making positive contributions which significantly enhanced their overall educational experience at Pitzer College.