Patti Smith Is Pratt's Commencement Speaker

‘Tis the season for institutions of higher education to announce their commencement speakers, and Pratt Institute rarely disappoints. The art and design school has signed up musician and poet Patti Smith, whose Just Kids we’ve already read thrice, to speak at its 121st commencement, during which approximately 2,000 graduates will receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She will also perform at the ceremony, scheduled for May 17 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. In addition to Smith, Pratt will award honorary degrees to architect Daniel Libeskind, Museum of Modern Art director Glenn Lowry, former New York City Landmarks Commissioner Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, novelist Jonathan Lethem, and director Steven Soderbergh.