‘Abbott Elementary’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph to speak at Rutgers University commencement

A Rutgers University trailblazer will return to her alma mater.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, the Emmy Award-winning star of “Abbott Elementary,” was announced as the spring 2023 commencement speaker for May 14. The school confirmed that she will also be awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

The 66-year-old Waterbury, Conn. native goes down in the school’s history as a member of the first class of undergraduate women admitted to Rutgers College in 1972. At 19, she become the youngest woman to ever graduate from the university. She earned her BFA in English literature and theater arts.

In 1975, Ralph was even recognized by Glamour magazine as one of the top 10 college women in America.

After becoming a household name with iconic roles in the Broadway smash “Dreamgirls” and TV shows such as “It’s a Living” and “Moesha,” Ralph was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2002.

“As we celebrate the birthday of Paul Robeson, great actor, great artist, outstanding athlete, outstanding student, I’m so happy to represent his legacy as one of the first women, especially one of the first Black women, to graduate from Rutgers College. Legacy matters,” Ralph said in Thursday’s announcement.

Robeson was the first African-American football player at what is now known as Rutgers University.

The author of “Diva 2.0: 12 Life Lessons From Me For You!” went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard in ABC’s hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary.” Her acceptance speech, in which she sang “Endangered Species” by jazz great Dianne Reeves, went viral.

During Super Bowl LVII, Ralph sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also recognized as the Black national anthem.

A mother of two with a blended family of four, which her shares with her husband, Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-PA), the entertainment powerhouse has been at the forefront as an AIDS activist and was recently appointed as an AIDS Ambassador for Jamaica’s Ministry of Health.